Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1865-07-26
WHAT THEY THINK!


As specimen of the ribaldry with which
the National authorities, through whose in
defatigable and firm exertions the murder
ers of the late President were brought to
juctice, are treated by some Of the Demo
cratic leaders, we make a few extracts
from several of their papers. The articles
from which we quote, bear the impress of
careful preparation, by the leaders of the
so-called Democracy and no doubt are their
true uesentiments-notwithstanding their re-
cent pretended favorable opinions of An
drew johnson and his Administration
From the Selinsgrove (Pa.) Times.
First, and beyond any reasonable doubt,it
is clearly evident that this military commis-
sion had no legal jurisdiction to try these
cases and sit In Judgment upon the life of
any citizen. Guilty or not guilty, the
accused and condemned had a great injustice
done them by being denied the benefit of
the law. The trial was arbitrary, and
even not a fair one of its kind. 1t was u
urpation-miitary power trampling under
foot the civil law as well as justice it
self . La view Of these facts, what
horrible crime the President and his officials
have committed 1t is disgrace to the age
and country in which we live There is not
a crime recorded in Fox Book Of Martyrs
that is more abominable in the sight of rea-
son and in the light OF justice than this trial
and these executions. Even if all had been
guilty Of the charges, the crime OF trying
and executing them in this manner, and tor
the reasons it was done. is equally as hel-
nous. 1t is not even graced with the dIgnl-
ty Of judicial murder. 1t is simply an
n i Il,
because they were full of the spirit of re-
venge to which they wished to give vent and
because they had the pO1cer. There was
not a man engaged in that military commits
sion, including the President, who gave his
voice and vote in favor of the sentence pass
ed, but who, equally with Payne, deserved
to be hung by the neck until dead. There
never was such a crime committed In this
country before this As people we have
been disgraced, and the people Of all civiliz-
ed nations will be shocked at this great o6i
cidt murder, committed in the greatest and
most boasting Republic of the nineteenth
century President johnson has forever
tarnished his character and reputation.
From the Bellefonte (Pa.) Watehman.
IF those, who without the shadow of au-
thority, sat In judgment upon these suspect
ed people, taking evidence, sentencing and
CARRYING ItlIc CLtCG lldU ScllltuCc- Cdt SlSSii
themselves of the crime Of murder, it will
remove a stain from the hands of the govern
ment, and blush from the brow of citizens
| that boast of its power and justice. It's not
| because we have sympathy for the assassin
or conspirator, or would shield the guilty
| from the fate they deserve, that leads us to
| denounce the executions of these four per-
sons, by that Star Chamber Court, as cold
blooded, deliberate murder; but because
the law, of which, we as people, have boast.
ed in the past, will condemn the principal
seah That a8 lE RaFGf ga Azff8t5 apd 90
them we have little reason to doubt yet that
does not excuse the parties that tried them
The evidence upon which they were convict
ed was taken before court" equally as
unlawful rs the crime with which they were
charged, and the individuals that pronoun-
ced them guilty" sentenced them to death,
and executed them, had no more authority
in law for SO doing, than had these men for
entering, into Conspiracy to take the life
OF Abraham Lincoln. . And what ex-
cuse will President johnson have for the
important part he plays in this murderous
role? He has perpetrated wrong
that can never be righted-a deed that will
| brand him as the usurper of authority, the
violater of law, and hand his name down to
after ages, stained and blackened with the
! guilt Of this horrible crime. Let us hear
no more of his Democracy, of his adherence
of wrong and determination to do right
| He has forfeited all claims to the sympathy
or support of those who would see civil law
| triumphant, and given himself the uncnvi-
able title of the Jeifries of America.
| Here we have plain estimate of those
who were instrumental in bringing the mur-
derers of Abraham Lincoln to Justice Pres
| ideat johnson and those who composed th e
court which tried the assassins of Mr.. Lin
coin are pronounced by Democratic organs, as
cold btooded .heart2esS cdians-murderers
an the sight Of God and ma,e-and, in the
opinion of the Democratic leaders, ought to
be gibbeted. What more could the so-called
Democratic organs utter? When Mr.. Lin
coin was aSsassinated, these same organs
had little to offer in approval of the act
But when those who were parties to that
assassination are gibbited they are attended
to their execution by the sympathetic howls
of the Democratic journalists, and their pas
sage out of this world is announced as a sure
entrance to Gods rest in Heaven! Was
ever audacity carried to greater length, and
sympathy for treason more boldly outspoken?