Daily Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1865-1869, 1865-06-22
TRIAL OF JEFFERSON DAvIs-A PLEA FOR
THE EX-PRESI0ENT.
From the London Times, June G.

From the London Times, June 6.
For the next few weeks public attention in
America will probably be concentrated on the
proceedings to be taken against the captive lead
ers Of the Confederate secession. The murder Of
President Lincoln has reused in the Northern
breast feeling more akin to implacability than
has existed at any period of the war. 1t is
strange that in the crisis of the struggle, at a
time when the most sanguine were inclined TO
despair of conquering the South, there was
comparatively little animosity toward the men
who had apparently overthrown the Union. Not
only were the military genius of General Lee and
the herosm of Jackson, the subjects of Northern
admiration bat the political capacity of Mr.. Da-
Wis, his lirmness and courage, and the mastery
he had gained over the section of the American
people which folio we'd him, were duly ac.
knOwledged. But the spirit of revenge, which
could not be excited by disaster has now fol.
lowed Indignation produced by an odious deed.
The declaration of President johnson, that trea-
son should be punished, has been received with
general appreciation Throughout the North; and
there are not wanting those who interpret the
Presidents words TO mean that the Confederate
leaders shall expiate their offence by death, and
who maintain that it is just and eXpedient that
this should be the end. We cling, however, to
the beef that when the horror excited by the
act of Booth has been somewhat mtigated by
time, wiser and more generouScounsels will pre-.
vail. There are, indeed, already signs that the
ominous threats of the President and the savage
ciamors of some of the Republican politicians
excite apprehension in respectable section Of
the community.
The arguments of those who say that the
Southern leaders have caused the deaths of thou.
sands and that as the man who murders one vic.
tim suffers death, 50 the man who murders mul.
titude ought not TO escape, are as fallacious as
they are cruel There can be no comp parson be-.
tween private crime committed for gain or re-.
venge, and political act which has the sanction
Of several millions of people, and is supported
by their lives and fortunes. Mr.. Davis and the
other confederate politicians were merely the
representatives of a great community, which
formerly believed it had a right to dissolve
a political league, and 70 defend the South
by force Of arms against those who would
compel it to return to a Federal alliance
which was no longer suited to its In
terests. From their position in the Union as
il existed before secession they were called upon
10 bear office, and were in fact elected to it by
universal suffrage. Such an act differs very far
even from the treasons which have been common
in Europe, when some ill-disposed persons have
excited partial and hopeless rising. A commu.
nity which has carried on war for four years and
has been treated as belligerent, not only by its
own adversary, but by all civilized countries, is
entitled to be placed in position different from
that of riOtous county, and may well cover the
acts of those who administered its affairs.
We may hope, then, that the United States Gov.
ernment will deal in generous spirit with those
fallen politicians. The chief men OF the Confed.
eracy are now in its power. Jefferson Davis,
Vice President Stephens, and several Of the Gov
ernoB of the Southern States, are in the prisons
of the North. The military leaders are on pa
role, and are, we presume, protected by the terms
of their captulationS though 1t seems there Is a
report that General Lee is to be arrested and
brought to trial. But if the Government prose-
cute the Confederate President and one or two Of
his chief colleagues, it will probably be enough
to satisfy whatever Of vndictive feeling exists in
the minds of Americans. The grand jury In
Washington has found a true bill for treason
against Mr. Davis, and the arrests still continue.
But we may trust that these measures will not be
followed by acts Of vens seance, which can add
nothing to the strength Of the Government, and
must envenom still further the animOsities which
the war has produced.