Daily union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1865-1866, 1866-06-10
THE FATE OF JEFFERSON DAVIS.

The day preceding the fall Of Richmond,
the then President Of the Confederate States
was the most unpopular man who occupied
controlling position in the limits of the
rebellious territory. o He was charged with
al! errors, with all weaknesses, with all in
suficiencies, military Legislative and execu-
in the downfall Of the Confederacy.f
At the very moment of his flight from
the Confederate capital, we were listening to
a philippe, pronounced by "rebel" Con-
gresham from Mississippi, arraigning him
for malieasance, misfeasance, weakness and
prejudice in Office. BY the more violent
he was censured as doing nothing that was
wise, and even twitted with the sluggishness
he displayed in entering into the revolution.
His last speech in the United States Senate
was quoted as an evidence of his attachment
to the Union, and as a good cause Of dis
trust after all that had occurred. He was
made the responsible agent for all that the
Southern people suffered, and his capture
was hailed by thousands of the tickle popu-
lace,-who had voted him to his place, and
hailed his progress TO Montgomery and Rich
mond with acclamations,-f not with plea
sure, at least, without regret. 1t was the
impulse Of the moment, and the impulsive
yielded to it.
But what do we see now? A universal
sympathy and an earnest desire that he
should not suffer the penalties that more
properly belong TO the people who placed
him in his position. The denunciations
heaped upon the decrepid prisoner at Fort
ress Monroe, in theextremities Of a fruitless
endeayor 20 dissevcr the States, are changed
to petitions and prayers that he may be re-
leased from his bonds and allowed to 60 free.
So it is among his foes. Thousands at the
North would this day unite in petitions for
his release. The people are inquiring, why
should there be more bloodshed? All de-
plore that which has been spilled so freely
and copiously, and ask if it is
not enough? The war grew out OF a
conflict of ideas upon the primary essence
of our political system. 1t commenced, in
opinion, with the origin of the Government,
and was perpetuated down to the conflict OF
arms The delegates from New York and
other States to the Convention Of 81, who
withdrew, were not less attached to liberty
,nd Union than were those who remained.
The conflict Of opinion ended in re-
sort TO the sword, and that arbiter end
ed the controversy against the extreme
views held by men of the South. 1t was
Welded by them with grace, and courage,
and perfectness of integrity and good faith
which have excited the admiration of all
good men everywhere.
The person who became the Southern
representative in this unfortunate conflict,
though guiltless of its origination and fore
ed by the united voice of his people to
lead them, is imprisoned and held as
an expiatory sacrifice for the political sins
of the whole South, growing out of the
original difference referred to. Such Is the
view taken by the Southern people, and is a
clueto the widespread display of sympathet-
ic feeling on their part in behalf Mr.. DAVIS.
Nor should they be blamed for it. 1t only IL
illustrates one of the noblest and most admi-
rable qualities of human nature it is JUS
tice from them to him, which they could not
disregard and be honest.
As for himself, Mr.. DAVIS asks nothing
that is wrong, or that has the appearance of
wrong. He asks no charity, and seeks no
evasion of the lawful responsibility which
his own and the acts of his people have cast
upon him. He only asks a trial. He has
confidence in the Constitution and laws. lie
is citizen, charged with, and indicted for
high crimes. The Constitution and laws
guarantee him "a speedy and impartial
trial" A few days ago the Court met and
denied his request. No satisfactory reason
has been assigned for the delay. The alb
sence of one of the Judges is the only rea-
son vouchsafed for it. Has this Judge duties
TO perform elsewhere? Is he in feeble
health? Is there any substantial reason
why Chief Justice CHASE should not have
been at Richmond? Or was it a merely
capricious Discrimination to go to Richmond
in the proper discharge Of his Judicial du-
ties? These questions may be better an
swered by the Chief Justice himself than
any other, and by history better than by
himself
In the meantime Mr.. DAVIS must wait
the whimsical pleasure of one man, in vio-
lation of the right guaranteed to him by
the laws of the land. If his life should
pass away in that gloomy prison, it might
be relief TO him but what would be
gained, and who would be the executioner
Would the law have eXacted and obtained
its own ? Or would the obduracy of the
Chief Justice make him executioner with
out judgment and condemnation 1t is
already certified by his prison physician
that Mr.. DAVIS health is failing, and that
he cannot survive a great while under his
present regime. II is due no more to him
than TO the Government to history and
mankind, that he should have his trial.
During the unnecessary delay, after his late
announcement Of readiness through his
accredited counsel, it is the duty Of the
Government to admit him to bail, or parole.
If Mr.. DAVIS can give adequate security for
his appearance at the proper time, he should
be enlarged. Whatever may be his ultimate
fate, he will not shrink from it, and there
need be no hesitation ON that ground.
THE KENTUCKIANS AND GEN FISK.
It will be remembered that Gen. FISK, in