Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1866-09-06
necessaries of life for their suffering widows
and orphans.


1
Conspiracy Against Ex-President Davis.
It is with reluctance always, that we ad
NIT in our columns any thing rejecting up
on the personal character and integrity OF
any individual Matters purely personal
have generally no interest for the public,
and to the deprayed taste of those who de-
| light in private scandal, we have no desire
to pander.
Justice and truth, however, sometimes
demand the publication of matters reflect
ing upon Enthusiastically is this
true. when such individuals have themselves
disregarded the rights and courtesies of pri-
yate life The case of Lewis Bates, Super
intendent of the Southern Express Com
pany, has for some weeks attracted the at
tention of the public. We have refrained,
however, from publishing anything con-
cerping it, until very recently, when the
letter of Col. r. A. Aston appeared in our
columns. To-day we publish an article
from the Tallahassee Sentinel, containing
extracts from letter of Mr.. Gibbon, of
Charlotte. From the statements of these
gentlemen, the testimony of this man Bates
in reference to Mr.. Davis is entirely false.
It seems difficult to find any other motive
for the perjury than desire for the blood
of MI Davis.
We think it strange that this MN should
be retained in office by company asking
patronage at the hands of Southern men.
That he lives undisturbed by even g
threat of violence, is palpable refutation
of the oft repeated asse4 ton that Union
men are not safe among US.
Mr.. Davis and the Death Of MI. Lincoln.
Among the perjured villains procured by Judge
Advocate General Holt to prove the completely Of
Mr.. Davis with the assassination OF Abraham Lin
coin, was man by the name Of Bates. This man
Bates swore that he was present when Mr.. Davis
at Charlotte, N. Co. received the telegram announc-
ing the terrible tragedy perpetrated by Booth at
Washington, and heard from him expressions Of
qualification thereat.
Now it so happens that Bates not the only
person present on that occasion, though probably
the only one who awaited himself of the opportu-
nifty growing out OF such presence to realize
" good thing" by swearing to lie for the gratih-
cation of Holt and Stan1on. Among others, then
and there present, was Mr.. Gibbon, formerly Of
Philadelphia, a gentleman of high scientific at
taiments, for many years superintendent OF the
United States Mint, at Charlotte,t and father OF
Major Gen. Gibbon of the Federal army. Mr.. Glib
bon has written a letter which appears in Phila-
delphia paper, giving an account of the manner in
which Mr.. Davis received the news Of Mr.. Lin
coins death. We copy as follows:
we had just heard of the surrender of Gener-
a1 Lees army The Methodist missionary who
house when he related it. Soon after cavalry es-
cOrt approached the town, hea led by civilian
soon recogned as Nj. Davis. He stopped at the
house of Mr.. Bates, all agent Of Adams Express
Company, where he had been invited by telegraph
was within few feet Of The door when he alight-
ed from his horse, and ascending the step, he
made short address. Not word was said upon
Mr.. Lincoln's death, for nothing Of it was then
known. The door of the house being locked there
a slight delay afterward.
''As he remained in this position, an agent of
the telegraph Office passed me, CARRYING dispatch
which had anticipated the arrival of Mr.. Davis
When the envelope was opened Mr.. Davis read the
note with earneet and grave concern, and turning
to gentleman-Mr. William Notwithstanding
nearest him, he handed it to HIM and remarked,
This is a very extraordinary communication
No other word was uttered by him. AS soon as it
was glanced over the gentleman incurred Shall
seemingly occupied with sad and serious thoughts,
Mr.. Davis moved on one side to make room for the
gentleman, who read aloud the dispatch announ-
cling the assassination of President Lincoln at the
theatre III Washington at ten o'clock at night and
a simultaneous attempt npOn the life of the Secre-
tary of State. Mr.. Seward.
Not another word WAS said, and there was no
note ar appearance II Sxultatlon among large
crowd of soldiers and civilians. whose countenan-
ces I regarded attentiVely Ali were silent with
SURPRISE establishment doubt. For my own
part, | did not credit the dispatch. The next
morning early, I went with friend to Mr.
of my family, whom he had permitted to pass the
lines to visit her brother, Major General ~
=. s. A., at that time stationed below Richmond.
In the course Of conversation asked Mr. Davis if
he credited the report of the assassination of Mr.
Lincoln. He replied gravey, in his usual manner
that he could not regard it as mere report for
he had received dispatch from General Breckin-
ridge, who, he had reason to belive was in COM
mNncat Jon With General e,ernign's headquarters
whence the lnfnrmatlon WAS directly obtained. :"
" He aaid he fooriGidered it, ii true, the most un
fortunate Oocuranoe for the South, at moment
when Mr.. Lincoln had expressed disposition to
accept offer favorable terms It is generally
acknowledged and known here, that nothing could
be more unlike expression of eXultatiOn sat
sfaction than the demearor and language of Mr..
Davis this subject. The very contrary can be
proved by several who have conversed with him,
who much more intimate with him than IL
write this to yOu simple act of justice to Mr.
Davis, in reference to his position. without pOliti
cal sectional cis of any kind, which strive to
avoid
ape ersHe,
There is nothing Ut present so occupying
the attention of our agriculturalist in some
,,ort;ono Of Of North Toro1ipn bot