The Baltimore County union. [volume] (Towsontown, Md.) 1865-1909, 1865-06-03
Connection ofSouthern Leaders with
the Assassination.

1t was of.course, not to be expected that the
completely of the leaders of the rebellion in the
late conspiracy could be proven. in the same way
by the same line of eridence--as that which
has convicted the subordinate actors in that
fiendsh tragedy The former would naturally
remain out of sight, at a distance from the scene,
communicating with their agen is by letters, by
signs bytconcerted signals, and dispatches writ
ten in cipher. They cannot be identified by eye
witnesses who saw them come and 60 on their
bloody errand, as Payne and Booth were identi-
fed. Unless some of the minor conspirators turn
States evidence, the proof, against these must,
from the nature of the case be either circum-
stancal or documentary. 1t turns out to be
both. The circumstancial evidence which points
to some leading, designing mind near the centre
OF the rebellion, preparing and connecting into
one system the separate plots of burning the
Northern cities--of making armed invasions
from the territory of a neutral power-Of intro
ducing into the crowded Atlantic cities afdread-
ed pestilence-of assassnating, finally, the Chief
Magistrate, is SO strong in its cumulative force,
that no sane man can resist it. But when to
this is added the evidence drawn from written
documents, he must be a bold man who doubts.
In the synopsis of the proceedings Of the trial
Of the consprators, given in onr column OF secu-
lar intelligence, allusion is made TO apaper pro-
duced in court on Monday, the 22d, which form
ed the first direct evidence before the commission,
tending to impllcate Davis in the plot Of the as
sassination That paper was letter addressed
to his exceency, President Davis, dated at
Montgomery, White Sulphur Springs, Va, in
which the writer cooly offers to- rid the Confed-
eracy of its deadliest enemies, by striking at
their very hearts bood.'' He asks for the ne
cessary papers to give him travelling facilities
through the Confederate States he mentions
what his qualifications for the enterprise are he
refers to his former history, and to men who
know him, as guaranty of his sincerity and
ability; and expresses wish for an answer soon,
and for short interview. Upon this letter were
the following Endorsements: t' y ''-9
al Brief of letter without signature. ..H
"2. Respectfully referred, by direction of the
President, TO the Honorable Secretary of War.
Burton n Harrison, Private Secretary. Received
November 49, 1864. Record book, A. G. o.,
49, A, G. for attention. By order, j. A..
Campbell, AS"
This piece of writing was taken from a box
marked ttAdjutant Generals Office. Letters re-
ceived from July to December 1861, 2 forming a
part of the archieves of the so-caled Confederate
States. Five of these "archives' were taken at
the time of the surrender of,Joe Johnston, and a
much greater amount was found in Richmond.
tits not likely that they have all been fully ex-
amned, and further disclosures may no doubt be
expected. But this is enough not perhaps, by
itself, isolated from all other facts and indica-
tions, butewe venture to say that, to the nation
and TO the whole civilized world this infamous
proposal, accepted for. consideration, filed away
with proper Endorsement referred to the Secre-
tary of VA, and marked CAS- G. for attention."
by the assistant Secretary. furnishes a proof of
Sonilt that nothing can cover.@N. 7. Methodist