He then announced his determination to pardon those remaining in jail. His inner circle reacted violently against that decision. telling him that such a move was political and social folly. After repeated remonstrances by many close friends. he finally responded with one simple phrase that summed up what America meant to him in response to one friend who asked him. "Why are you doing this?" He answered. "Because it is right." Altgeld was a Czech immigrant. He knew what America was. A beacon light to the world. rather than a cynical nation which would subordinate its ideals to profit. power. and greed.
Keywords matched
immigrant