Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1865-05-16
Jeff Davis a Prisoner.

The intelligence of the capture Of Jeff Davis
will produce sense Of satisfaction throughout
the whole country, 1t has been felt that the
triumph Of the government was hardly complete
while the chief rebel cons pirator and the official
head Of treason was at large. The public have
felt regret at Sherman's first truce with Johnston
more on account Of the apprehension that it
possibly had given Davis time to escape, than
because of any other evil result Of the convention.
DAVIS has been regarded more as the representa-
tive man of the rebellion than any other traitor,
and it has seemed especially fitting as well as
necessary that 10 his person the majesty Of justice
should be yindicsted and the crime against the
government should be punished. We doubt
whether the official statement in President John
sons proclamation offerings reward for Davis
and oilers, that this arch conspirator was an &C
complete of Booth, added to the general ndigna.
ton against him, or increased the general desire
that he at least, Of the traitors should be visited
with the righteous penalty ola violated law. The
people believed him to be capable Of even that
crime and they knew that his guilt was blacker
than that fany other rebelwithOut that addition
al stain and it hardly seemed that rebellion was
dead while the greatest criminal Of all was where
he could still issue proclamatons and official
orders, and assume to be still the head and front
Of treason.
And now that Davis is in the hands of the Fed
eral authorities, we trust be will be dealt with as
bis crimes deserve. His fierce and implacAble
hatred OF the Union, his. sa !anic ambition, and il
active brain have given the rebellion immense
strength, and caused the shedding Of rivers oil
blood Of his countrymen and ours and this blood
cries from the grouui Of thousand battlefield
for Justice. Libby, Andersonye, Salisbury, an
other rebel prisons rise up with their terrible
records OF unutterable horrors, and arraign him al
the most atrocious and cruel murderer in the az
mails Of time. Arson, Starvation, Murder, he
made the agents OF bis will In his warfare
against the government ne besitaled at no snor
nifty of wickedness, he stopped short OF no posi-
bic crime. With deliberate fendlshnes more
than savage, with refinement and an ingenuit!
Of torture which it is possible alon9 for one edu
Gated in slavery TO attain to, he led and incltet
his rebel associates to every uncivillzed and nhu
man method OF warfare More consummste il
bis treacherous hypocrisy than Philip II Of Spain
more studied and perfect in his cruelty than thu
infamous Calgua, he is the foul and poisonous
Towering of the slave civilization Of America, tn
concentrated venom of the whole serpent brood
Of treason, and mis- career will find its only fitting
conclusion on the gibbet
We presume the government will Immediately
put Davis upon trial. If the evidence Of his com
pciy with Booth is clear and undoubled, he
should be tried for that oilense as, in that event
he would get no sympathy from any quarter But
unless such evidence can be had, be should be in
dicled and tried for treason There is no doubt oil
his guilt on such charge, and there should be nc
hesitation about visiting him with Just punish
me1t. No considerations Of humanity should
cause the government to hesitate, no foreign piea
in behalf of the great criminal should be listened
to. President Johnson has said, that mercy to
the chief, OF rebellion would be crime against
the State and he should begin with this arch con
sprator to act according to his belief.
When he is hung it may answer to remit th'
death penalty as to the rest, and satisfy justice b.
condscatng their property, and disqualliying then
for holding office But until he is hung, the PEG
pie will not be satisfied that the government mean
to treat treason as crime.