North Branch democrat. [volume] (Tunkhannock, Pa.) 1854-1867, 1865-07-26
Turning to be Democratic.

wall and are gradually shaping their course
accordingly. few days since, the Times
declared that the Democracy and the Demo
cratic p&rty would become supreme as soon
as the war was ended. The Tribune, not to
be behind its coteuporary, on the l1th inst,
produced long article against military
courts and taking it's standing with the de.
mocracy on this question, from which we
making the following extract:
"The war being over-not shot having
been fired 70: weeks, and not q man on Garth
being now in arms TO resist the authority of
the United States-ve renew our prayer for
prompt, full, unequivocal restoration Of the
privilege of Habeas Corpus, coupled with a
clearing out of our military prisons by the
liberation of their inma les or their rendition
to the civil authorizes for detention, trial
and punishment. We can imagine no good
reason for the further dominance of martial
law in any Stale north OF the Potomac and
Ohio. We have had abundant exhibitions
of"military justice" throughout the past four
years, as vas reasonable and fit-in fact,
rasber more than that
LIE: military men be subject to military
law, if they must but give US civil law for
everybody elee.
Mex: winter, we trust the Secretary of
War will report, either voluntarily or by
order of Congress, on these points
l. How many Courts Martial have been
held since 1902
2. What was the duration Of these Cour Is
respectively
3. What was their cost respectively and
in the aggregate
10 how many cases were the findings re.
versed or modified, or the penalties imposed
thereby remitted, by the revising authority 7
5. What would be the probable effect of
conining these Courts to the trial of offeu-
ders in the military service of the Union to
those arraigned for dIsloyal acts in the
States which are the arena of actual hostiI.
ties
There have been instances whom we need
ed in the field all our officers who poss .ss
| any fighting capacity, yet when not less than
fifty of them were serving or dancing atten-
dance on Court-Martial half a dozen of
them being engaged for three months or over.
in the midst of a momentous campaign, in
proving one Brigadirr scoundrel at cost 10
the Government of not less than $40, 900.
when any Tombs lawyer would have done
that same conclusively in three hours, at q
cost of $25.
"We hear talk of more courts martial for
the trial of other than persons in our militia
ry service. and we protest in advance
against them. We have courts enough, law
enough, and at least as fair chance for
justice with these as with any that can be
i.-r---t-a e ----y ~ vIuer
from the War Department. We do not
much care what Europe may say of our ju-
rlsprudence; we are only anxious that she
shall have no just cause for censure. If any
rebel has conspired 70 starve our soldiers. or
Infect our cities with pestelence, or do any
act abhorrent to humanity, let him DO fairly
tried for the crime; or if it is thought best
to arraign some Of the rebel chiefs for trea
son, SO be it; but let US deal with them &C.
cording to law. 1t will be grievous mis-
take-an avowal Of weakness-s blunder
and folly-to hold another court martial
for the trial of other than military offenders
belonging to our own army. Such O court
can render no verdict that will carry weight
with it in the judgment Of impartial Chris
tomdon.-the fact that such a tribunal 10 re.
sorted to will be trumpeted by thousands as
virtual confession that fair trial WAS not
desired-its verdict of guilty will be decided
as preIuding and preparing ajudicia! murder.
Aet us return to The dominion of law!"
The Health of Davis--A Touching Incl.
dent.
The Washington correspondent Of the
the New York Times,
lie newspaper reports Of the health of
JEFF. DAVIS, are, without doubt great exagger-
atoms of fact, There 10 no reason to believe
that Surgeon Craven, who left here for the
North yesterday, and who has charge of the
prison, would not have reported TO the gov
ernment, were il true, that jeff. Davis is sink.
log rapidly, as has been reperteb; bnt up to
this hour no Official inform alton has been re-
ceived here tending to shtw that he is crit.
calIy i'll. About 2 o'clock to day, a smart
bright lad OF about sixteen years, called at tho
Executive mansion, edged his way through
the crowd waiting for an audience with the
President, and presented his caro- to the ush.
er, requesting an interview with Mr.. John.
son. In short time he was admitted
""ell, my lad, "said the President, 'how
can serve you7" 81 learn, SIR" said the
boy, "that Mr.. Davis is very i'll, and desire
permissi0 IN to send or take him some del;ea-