The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1865-10-28
| JEFF, DAVIS.
ARRANGEMENTS FOR HIS TRIAL.
The President Determines Upon His
Prosecution for the Crime Of Treason.
me PROSECUTING COUNSEL SELECTED.
~--~>~~-~~-~~~-~~-~>~~
Rmes :. Speed, General Rousseau, John H.
; Clifford and William N. Eyarts Re-
1aintd for the Government.
|harles O'COnOr and Ransom II.
Gillett for the Defence.
~~~~~-~~~~~>~-~~~>>~oo~o-
che Great Criminal Trial of
the Age.
DC. &c. &c.
|harles O'COnOr and Ransom II.
GilIett for the Defence.

The language lately used by President johnson in
Is interview with the delegates Of the South Carolina
Invention has added much TO the grave interest felt
the people at large regarding the fate Of JEFF Davis
D unauthorized statement 10 the effect that Davis
ould be paroed the same terms Stephens,
eagan, Campbell and Others published throughout
country, and fears were entertained by many that
chief traitor would escape unpublished. The remarks
President johnson on the occasion alluded to have
ade it apparent that he is firmly resolved that Jcer-
bn Davis shall be tried. This determination OF the
resident is not sudden resolve intended to quiet the
numerous memorialsts sueng for Davis pardon, but
inclusion which he long since deliberately arrived at
he question thoroughly discussed by the Cabinet in
ugust last and it then decided not only that the
ia should take place. but all the proper details for its
rosecution were arranged
1t expressly declared and understood that the pur
Dee Of the government in the proceeding TO be insti-
ed should be not to satisfy any craving vengeance
q simply to pursue to its proper issue the old and often
ecared policy Of Mr.. johnson "make odoGsn
reason the President considers crime traitors as
iminals and his purpose is to make the crime and the
iminals as offensive in the eyes of just
noble crimes and less dgnifed criminals.
THE CHARGE-TREAsoN.
Yhe prisoner be arraigned the charge Of
pn in evying against the United States, and the
IN Of the prosecution will embrace other charge.
charges Of completely with wirz, &C, are TO be aban
ned and the purpose OF the prosecution Will be to de-
the nature Of treason and tx its punishment As the
rx trial intended 10 reveal the inhumanites OF the
bel leaders and forever disgrace the rebel Conederacy
tho eyes Of the world the trial Of Davis intended
AXE equally odous the treason which bad bred such
orors
Il IL well known that Davis claims that he cannot be
led for treason the ground that his State had
1ed and he was bound TO follow her lead. His entire
efence would the bass OF the right Of secession
nch plea would have but little force in view Of the
ct that the late Constitutional Convention Of Missis.
ppi, the State which Davis represents Dued instead
repeating the act Of secession thus declaring that the
ate did not secede and agreeing with of the great
tnciplos which President johnson early adopted and
- persistcnty maintained that none Of the Southern
ates were ever legally out Of the Union.
II also determined that the wirz trial should be
last trial by martial The trial Of Davis will be
ofore the highest tribunal in the land II is not known
yet whether Chief Justice Chase will preside but it is
resumed that he will
THE TINE SET ToR THE TRIAL.
Al the Cabinet session in August, when the details
erc arranged, decided that the trial Of Davis
hould Immediately follow that Of wirz, but the long dc
Rys in that case may tend to delay that Of Davis.
THE PROSECUTING COUNSEL.
The Attorney General authorized select three
Dunscl TO aid him in the prosecution Mr. Speed is
alive Of the South, and it was decided that another
Duthern and two Northern lawyers should be retained
suggested that IL desirable that the army
[aould also be represented The following attorneys
ere finally selected as the prosecuting counsel
Hon. James Speed, Attorney General Of the United
atcs
Hon. John IT. Clifford, formerly Attorney General Of
massachusetts,.
pMajor General Lowell n Rousseau member OF Congress
beet from Kentucky.
William H. Evarts, OF New York city
THE COUNSEL FOR THE DEFENCE.
II has been understood for several months past that
pr Davis had selected his counsel had accepted tho
|ervices Of the following gentlemen
Charles O'Conor, Of New York city.
|, Ransom II. Gilett, of Albany, Ny
II is probable that the prisoner will himself supervise
he does not conduct, his defence.
TIE PRINCIPLES INVOLVED IN TIE TRIAL.
The trial Of Jefferson Davis for will be the
post important criminal trial which this country age
Sas witnessed, and will command universal attention.
involves principles Of the very gravest importance
nd OF vital interest TO the existence OF the country
unit The decision Of tho Cour, the case will involve
3ot only the defining Of treason and its punishment but
decide by law the question OF The right Of secession
question already negativcd by the result OF the
ind the action Of the several State reconstruction con-
sntons The trial viii be tho last victory or defeat for
|ho cause Of the Union The acquttal OF Davis would
indeed make treason respectable Robert Toombs
threatened il should DO by Of It's formdablcness
Phe his conviction will forever render the causc as
|di6us ar Mr. johnson could hope for