Holmes County farmer. [volume] (Millersburg, Ohio) 1857-1926, 1865-10-26
From the New York Ncws.l
4 Letter from SDrt,fd.y


from the New York Ncwsl
A Letter from "Druid."
President johnson Determined 10 Pardon :
JeF Doris, and Why Ttried, he N,,St /
be Tried for Treason an the .SuDreD,c
Couyt-T so Tried he wouM bc Acqptted
lie cannot be Conricted Of 7reuson,
and Why-Me PRESIDENTS .Addrcss to
tie South Carolina Delegation.
WASHINGTON, Oct. IA, 1865.
JEFFERSON DAVIS TO BE PARDoNED.
1T is with feelings of the most profound
satisfaction that | am able to inform the
readers of the Ne,cs that President johnson
has determined to pardon jeff. Davis, and
it may be, even without trial. although
that point is not yet settled. Nor is it at%
all unlikely that in a short time Mr.. Davis
will be released from confinement on the
same terms that Mr.. Stephens has been.
and then afterwards pardoned. 1t is posi-
bic, but very unlikely now, that he may be
brought to trial in civil court for treason;
but if so, and even if convicted, he WW be
pd,,loned. That is certain as the DEGREES of
fate. do not derive this information from
what the President said yesterday to the
South Carolina delegation, although the |
fact can safely be implied from those re-
marks. On that occasion the President was
directly applied to for the pardon of Jeffer-
son Davis by committee appointed for that
purpose by the State Convention of South
Carolina, and on that point, here is what
Mr. johnson said:
WHAT THE PRESIDENT SAID.
= All cannot be pardoned at once. The
business must be proceeded with gradually,
and an effort must be made to execute the
law. | want to do what is best and just,
and to show a proper degree of humanity
on the part of the Government. If trea-
son has been committed, there ought to be
some test to determine the power of the
| Government to punish thecrime. The laws
having been violated, and an attempt made
upon the life of the nation, there ought to
be vindication of the Government and
the Constitution, even if the pardoning
power were cxcsed thereafter. If treason
has been committed it ought to be deter
mined by the highest tribunal and the fact
declared, even if cemency should come af-
tcrwnrds. | assure you, gentlemen, no dis
position exists for person, or thirst for
blood"
MIR. DAVIS COULD NOT BE CONVICTED OF
TREASON.
This language is plain enough, and needs
no commentary. Busy and flarasscd as he
has been during the last five months, the
President has had time for reflection upon
this momentous subject, and these are the
results of reflections. They do honor at
once to his head and to his heart. The
highest tribunal is the Supreme Court, OF
one Of the United States District Courts,
and the President says that if NJ. Davis i,
brought to trial, it must be before the high
est tribunal. But has treason been com
mitted? Mr.. johnson does not say so. He
g says twice, IF treason has been commit.
ted" The fact is, if jefferson Davis were
tried for treason in the Supreme Court, OF
before any high civil tribunal, he would be
acquitted. Every lawyer who examines the
whole subject in all its relations must come
to this conclusion. Whatever his otfense
, was, it was not treason, nor can it be proved
to be treason. The chief Of billigerent
power cannot be guilty of treason. If tn,
! rebellion had remained within the line of
, mere insurrection, and if the insurgents hac
fallen into our hands, they would have beel
! traitors, and might have been hung as trai
tors. But the rebellion passed far beyont
the limits Of an insurrection. 1t became
! war of vast proportions, in which the com
4 batants on either side became, by the law
I Of nations, invested with equal rights a
u belligerants. Our Government itself ac
{ knowlcdged the rebel Is as belligercnt pow
y cr by exchanging prisoners. 1t is by th
j. principles of international law that on
treatment of Mr.. Davis must be regulated
Il and those principles declare that he is
prisoner of war; and must be tried as such
l. and cannot be tried for treason.
:. lie WILL EITHER BE ACQUITTED OR PAR
/, DoNED.
N,,l;,,. ,,,crn ,,,bolIn tboroc,,, l.,
l. that President johnson, after giving tn
J, subject his deliberate consideration, ha
fl come to the above conclusion. The onl
3, question is, therefore, whether it is bette
D, to have Mr.. Davis brought to trial for trei
Of son with the certainty that he would be Il,
+ quilted by the highest tribunal, or to pa
Of don him without trial Mr.. Johnso
wants to do what is best and Just, and wha
N ever course he finally adopts in the matte
o. will be best and Just; best for the honor
S the country, and just to Mr. Davis. In Il
IL mean time, the friends of the latter gentl
70 man, may rest assured that the Presidcl
a will not be deferred by any buster on ii
II. part of the Radicals from carrying out h
is convictions of duty on this and every 9th
o. subject.
"a INTERVIEW OF WITH THE SOUTH CAROLYN
La DELEGATION.
e. The interview at the White House
Friday afternoon, between the Preside
,w and the South Carolina delegation was
ne the most pleasant and agreeable nature.
IL The President caused the gentlemen to
be seated, and addressed them in the tone al
tie manner of great poiteness and courtes
rol The Presidents remarks were informal a
if. conversational, and touched upon other su
so iects than that alluded to above. The d
IN egation withdrew greatly pleased with t
I'M interview, and impressed with the belief til
ii the object of their mission would be succe
ri full. DRUID.
lat
as JEFF. Davis Estate.