Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1865-11-14
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER Il, 1866.
Trial Of JEFF. Davis.

There have been various ADD contradictory
reports as to whether Mr. Davis would be
tried or uot, and if so whether he would be
tried beflre civil. or military Court, and
whether he would be tried on the charge Of
treason cr implication in the assassination Of
1Ir. Lincoln. Last week, Washington
despatch to the Philadelphia Inquirer said
'il appears to have been finally decided
that'Jefferson Davis will receive 2 full and
fee pardon, and be furnished passport to
Europe, on giving his parole never to return.
The several pans for his trial have all fallen
through. The Norfolk Court Of Judge IN
derwoo1, was abandoned on account Of a
doubt as to the question Of Jurisdiction, and
the improbability OF obtaining an unbiased
jury at :has place. a military commission
had been also agreed upoa at one time, and
eYderce prepared tending 10 convict him Of
conspiracy in the assassination Of Mr.. Lin
coln; but the President has concluded to have
no more military court martials or commits
sions 1t was also proposed to try him in
Virginia, by United States Circuit Court,
over which Chief Justice Chase was TO pre-
side, but this was also found impracticable
as there is as yet no organization OF the Uni
ted States Court liz Virginia, and if there had
been, an impartial trial by jury there would
be impossible. It is said the President de-
cided that be should not be tried anywhere
ont Of Virginia, and overruled the PROPOSE
ton 10 try MIN ia Baltimore or Washington,
because he, Davis, COMMITTED his crimes in
Virginia" Thus the matter stands. It is
said that in addition to the united appeals Of
the rebel leaders in the South, to ''let Davis
co. Horace Greeley, Ward Beecher, and
Others, have visited the President and begged
for The life and pardon Of the eminent South
ern statesman"
Notwithstanding the particularly Of th'
aboge despatch, and its captivating plausible
ity, there seems to be but little doubt tina
Mfr. Davis will be tried for treason, and that
too, in short time. Last week, delega
tioa Of ladies from Baltimore, representing
fifteen thousand ladies Of the Monumental
City, visited Washington City and presented
a petition to President johnson requesting
Executive clemency in behalf Of Dir. Davis
The National Latelligencey, alludiug to th'
Interview. says Shat President johnson re
% GREETED "that public policy prevented hi
yielding 10 their persuasions and touching ar
guments" for the immediate pardon of Davis
aad that Sin declining, the President regret
ted that the national character Of the cues
ton restrained all private sympathy which
they might have awakened in him, and nad'
tie important statement that complete ar
raugements have been made for the early lie
,-al trial Of Mr.. Davis according to the law
e the laud."
He will be tried as the representative 0
tho whole people of the South, with The pur
pose Of establishing that the crime Of treason
has been committed by the Southern people
as charged by the North. The Court vii
find him guilty, and then sae President, al
an act Of gracious olemenoy, will pardon him
release him from prison, and tell him to g
free, and "sin no more" After which, h;
will, probably, issue proclamation Of gen
erai amnesty to all who were participants IN
or sympalhisers with, the rebellion.