The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1866-10-16

y, De mace between prisoners confined for crime, or
1lose detained in default of bail or as witnesses
1nsate 1;raat as well as humanity strongly urge US to
ulrect the attention of the Court to the necessity
OF ON making more suitable provision for the safety
tsa Anu comfort Of the unfortunate beings now con- co
n1 nneu IN the Charleston Jail by order OF this
noure' After fully considering all the dlsadvan-
saSes az presented to u.s. we likewise deem 1t our
Ivy ~ 70 Gull the attention of the Government to
elle 1acts as they exist, and recommend the pro-
curement OF moro suitable place for the contine-
nenL OF the United States prisoners, where they
GS M oe under the immediate control and supervls-
ION OF the Marshal, who ia responsible for their
SAFE keeping and humane treatment.
an order to aid the proper authorities IN this
Important matter we visited the building now
owned by the City of Charleston, formerly used
do = mouse OF Correction, and after a thorough
ana minute examination, find that it is admirably
adapted for a prison, being secure and well ventl.
lated, besides affor.ling ample room to make all
classes OF prisoners comfortable: therefore,, we
recommend it's purchase ii practicable, for the
purpose OF prison for the confinement OF those
whnm IL may be necessary to keep III custody
under authority OF this Court, either as criminas
or as witnesses or in default of BAIL The Grand
Jury would also recommend that the order OF this
Court upon the subject, under the date Of the 3oth
August last, with the remarks OF the District At
torney thereupon, be sent to the proper authors
ties at Washington with this presentment.
The Grand Jury, before closing their tluties feel
constrained to refer to the state OF the country.
Iho peace now reigning throughout the whole
country after four years of civil war OF the most
sanguinary character recorded on the pagos OF
history during the last century, is q source OF
most deyout congrasulation. When we look around
and witness the civil courts fully organized, ana
Know that all our wrongs and grievances VIII De
ad]udlcated before q jury OF our countrymen, m
stead OF before military courts aud other tribunals
OF o similar character, we have ample cause to De
than fbn rt tV01 nj q.
and should ardently desire that the sword may
ever remain sheathed and that our country may
never know war any more. 1T is feryently hopcd
that the National Congress ut its next session
will dispassionately consider the state OF the
country and direct it's whole efforts to bring about
u full restoration Of the Union by tho admission Of
all the States to that representation in. the Ma
tional Councils guaranteed them by the Constitl-
ton, and entirely remove or modify all dlsquaty-
ing acts, especially the Test Oath, by which the
citizens Of the Southern States aro debarred from
accepting Offices which thev are emnently quail
fed to fill, and in doing go would reflect credit
upon tho nation at large. Our Northern brethren
should exercise a good degree of charity, in their
Legislation, and remember that the people of the
Southern States, and more especially the people
Of South Carolina, have been educated in tue
school of States Rights doctrine, and really be-
loved that their a!lcaiance was due TO the State,
and that the Ssate not the citizen, owed alleSi-
ance to the General Government They have ac-
ceptcd the issue aud will faithfully abide by it. In
view of all these facts, we trust that at an uarly
day all barriers to full and complete restoration
OF all tho States to their equal rights will be re-
moved, and that we will again present to the
world the happy spectacle of II united people,.
The Grand Jury would also respectfully direct
the attention Of the proper authorities Of the
Government to the case OF tie Hon. Jefferson
Davis, who has been held in confinement since
the 23d OF April. 1865, and most urgently urge
upon them to give him q speedy trial or release
him on bail Ills but justice thas he be tried or
released. His counsel have made repeated Efforts
to nave MIN brought to trial, aud are still exert
ng themselves tp ,hat end His longer detention
upon Ife cuuutly, whist TIC
humanity dcmand speed. action in his case, as
his bodily health and mind aref fast becoming ire
parably impaired by his long Imprisonment; 4 y
(siyned) PHILLIP NJ. DOUclN,
foreman.
CHARLESTON, October 10, 1866.