Ashtabula weekly telegraph. [volume] (Ashtabula, Ohio) 1853-1873, 1865-05-27
The Old Virus.

The proslavery democrats of the North
dare not show, openly. their sympathy with
the conspirasors now on trial foT compass
tipg the assassination of the late President;
but they render them all the aid possible by
assailing the tribunal ordered for their trial
and yilifyi ing the government for the man.
ner in which it is proving their guilt. The
abuse, which few months ago was heaped
upon the sainted LINCOLN, is now turned
upon President JOHNSON, and Secretary
STANTON for daring to bring the assassins
to Justice in this way, and democratic
judges are travelling out OF the way 10
charging grand juries against the Star
Chsmber' at Washington. True. it is the
manner of the trial ralh,r than the trial il
self to which they seem TO object; but il is
plain to be seen that they are much more
excited by the certainty Of speedy Justice
overtakipg the criminals than alarmed at
any dangers likely to result from their trial
by military tribunal.
Judge BOND, OF Baltimore. and Judg'
PEcKHAM, Of Albany. N. Y, have both
lately charged the grand juries at the open
ing of the courts presided over by them,
that the trial of persons for crimes by
other tribunals than the civil courts is in il
self criminal offense, and highly danger
ous to the vested rights Of the people. They
profess great love for the right of Trial
by jnry,' but it will be found that they are
in favor Of -lrial by jury in this case, only
because trial BY jury made up OF tie
semi-seeessonists Of Washington City
would afford to the assassins chance OF
escape not now open TO them.
Both Judge BOND aud Judge PEcKHAM
were on the bench when the fugitive slave
law was in operation. Where, then. was
their devotion to the right Of trial by juryf
The crime alleged against the victims OF
that arbitrary law was not that OF unpro'
voked and deliberate murder T; nor conspir-
scy or treason to destroy the Government.
They were peaceful, orderly, we'll behaved,
siDpie- minded persons, who interfered with
Dohod,s rights or business, and we're con
ten, to take very low place on the social
ladder, and enjoy an exceedingly limited
share Of favor or protection from society,"
Their guilt was alleged to consist in The
fact thss they did not own themselves; that
they had dared to convey their bodies be-
yond the reach of neB who worked then
without wages, whipped then without JUS
tiGeation, wronged them without punish
ment; who separated them from heir wives
outraged their daughters. end sold thei
children.
Where. then, was the voFcsef Psckhsm
and we're the indignation Of Bondl D'
these men cry out against this oppre'
sion, denouncs these Star Chamber tribunal
and I demand the right Of trial BY jury fC
these victims OF oppression! Not they
They we're on the side of the oppresso
then, and thought il all right TO set ls'
and justice, and vested rights st dehsse
80 long ss the interests OF slavery we
promoted Bot il Is alI wrong tot try I
ssssssia BY jury Of military men insiei
Of . jury Of sympathizers. 1t 10 "psurp
tioR" and an Outrage upon our libertie
bat perfectly right to hustle these du Sd
victims before an arbitrary Commission
and send them back TO lifelong slavery
small allowance per head.