Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1866-11-30
MIR. Davis.

AS our readers will be glad TO know
what the Southern press say of JEFF Davis,
we take the following from the Charleston
S. G. Daily Ne,cs of Nov. 10Th:
The fate of Mr.. Davis is still a subject Of
anxious interest. 1t is not true, perhaps,
that he is dear to the South--so dear at
least as he would have been if our struggle
had resulted in success, or if he had fallen
sooner from the contest. Success is the cri-
tcrion of merit, and if he had met that test,
or had left the field while it was yet doubt
full whether he might not ultimately have
complied with this severe condition, he would
unquestionably have had Il stronger hold
upon the Southern heart. As is, that heart
is charged with disappointment, for which
he is the most attractive objection it is abb
sorbed by sorrows which leave but little
play for sympathy with the Affections or
the fate of others. And but that his treat
ment is regarded as common wrong
that the huniliatons visited upon him are
transmitted to all who have suffered in the
fallen cause-his individual experience .
would not more harrow up the public feel /
ings than does that of the very many other
who in other ways have participated in the |
calamites of a common ruin.
As it is, however. that feeling is unques
tionably stirred. Men see in it, not an eff
| lOfI 10 NlnulCulc inc luWS, nut 10 COIllHut
| the inhicton of gratuitous indgnitics /; and
an authority in this country really soicitous
to restore its harmony would not persist in
the continuance of a course in consistence
with which its peace and composure cannot
| possibly occur
Why he is not dis charged does not APP
pear. 1t is not pretended now that he is
chargeabe with complicty in the assosina-
ton of Mr.. Lincoln or unwarrantable inilic-
tons upon prisoners of war. The author
of the only evidence against him. the mis-
cradle Conover, has already been indicted
for subornation Of perjury. And the kind
i illness of Mr.. Davis nature, and his invinci-
bic fidelity to principle and the rules of hon
orable war. are so well known-havc been
so constantly exhibited in every period Of
our contcst-that there is perhaps no single
man. even in the dclirium of party excite
ment at the North, who would risk his rep
utation for sense or candOr in the assertion
that of either offence he believed him TO be
guilty. And if orncther of these charges
he is held. he surely cannot be held Tor any
other His participation in the war was not
as great as that of hundreds who have not
been prosecuted. lie was slow in the Sc
cessIon movement thousands had partici-
pated in the act before he became commit
ted. 1t was fact accomplished before he
left his seat in Congress. He came but to
concur in 4 movement already consummat-
f ed. He occupied a position, conspicuous,
it is true but only Il position in II govern
ment already constituted of all the forms
and principles of law developed in the his
tory of our country. In this position he
acted only as others did in theirs. He new
e er drew his sword in battle. and if leaders
of our armies through all the stormy scenes
of that sanguinary conflict have not been
t held responsible for their participation, it
: must be for reasons that present perfect de-
f fence TO any charge against him as a civil Off
Ger of the government
That the Radical party of the North
would hold him, and as well without q
t ground of complaint as with it, is perhaps
{ beyond question and that they would pun
# ish him. and all the more readily, perhaps.
: that he may he shown to have been guilt
y less of any oflence-for in that there would
i be only more decisive exhibition Of theil
l. power. To punish criminals for violations
# of admitted law is within the power of any
/ magistrate, but to punish for the violation
y Of no admitted law is an achievement t
! which no ordinary party can aspire and tol
q that reason it is one which would be apt {,
! be only the more irresistibly attractive {,
v them. But it is in the power of the Presi
n dent to discharge him. lie can extend t.
8. him pardon rs perfect rs he can to others
r it would be an act grateful TO the bette
If feelings of every section of the country
t. 1t would doubtless H grateful to his pri
2, vate feelings. The relations between then
: when both were members of the Senate
q were always kind and respectful. There
l. was time when Mr. Johnson was within
20 the jurisdiction of Government of whicl
If Mr.. Davis was President, and it is pcrhap,
I known to him that il was attributable to th
d better feelings and lirmness of Mr. Davis
is only that he also was not tried for treason
o Then why should he acquiesce in the OF
Is flee Of inilcting unmerited suffering on hi
re illustrious captive? Is it that the Radical
Of claim the victim of which he cannot vcntur
j. to defeat them? 1t is not supposed to b
le of his nature to shrink from responsibility
is But would the weight of his responsibility
3. be less than it now is ? Has he not acte
+ in the face of tsis party? Has he not role,
T. up its wrath against him? Is there the hop
" that they will spare him Or is il not on
h ~ the more perfectly certain that they Wi
ne try conclusions with him if he shall evinc
ne the timdity to be implied in this delerrin
I'd to their purposes His objectionable Of
W fence is in occupying an Office necessary
k. this exercise of despotic power. That is
o. wrong for which no compliance can atone
at Every hour of his continuance, every act {
" his authority, is an offence whidh nothin
We can eXtenuate and if he may not sustai
Sc himself in this position of his own power
Nj il will little matter that they should hay
~ the further charge against him that he ho
re liberated Mr. Davis.