The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1866-05-14
The Trial of Jefferson Davis.

From the Daily NeaOs.
At last preparations are being made for the
trial of Jefferson Davis, and we presume that
none will be more gratifed at the prospect OF
final disposition OF this case than the accused
himself The long, weary months of captivity
have seriously impaired the health and spirits
OF Mr.. Davis; bur, however much he may have
suffered from prolonged imprisonment, it is a
lol1er sentiment than the mere longing for
liberty that will lead him to accept with sensa-
tiOn OF relief the promise of hearing before
one OF the regular tribunals OF his country
Whatever may be the result of the trial it Will
at least give him an opportunity to vlndicate
his course before the world, and to transmit
his record in lair light to posterity. To a
man OIL his noble nature the privilege of being
neard IN retutatlon OF base charges against
his character, and in defense of the merits of
the lallen cause with which he was identified as
the leading spirit, must be in itself a satlsfac-
tion, although 1t should not avail to screen hIm
from tie seyerest penalty that his most implaca-
bic enemies would irtilct. Mr.. Davis, we are
convinced, would prefer to be led to the scat.
told alter thorough judicial action, and upon
the charges alleged against HIM, than to drag
out his existence IN dungeon, his lips sealed
against slander, his cause mlsrepresented, and
the weapons OF his justification buried with him
in prison grave.
But let those that sit in judgment beware lest
prejudice and passion should leave even but the
slightest taint upon the record of this case. The
honor OIL the republic demands that the elements
OF Justice, in spirit and in form, free from
shadow OF suspicion and absolSed from the
Iemotest possibility of doubt. shall control the
proceedings OF this important trial. We regret
10 see at the very threshold an intmation OF a
disposition uniavorable to the prisoner Mr.
DAVIS was Indicted for treason on the 10Th insC
by the Grand Jury OF the United States District
Court, now in session at Norfolk. The Grand
Jury in question is composed of the folio wing
persons:-
j. r. BIgelow of Alexandria; Isaac Snowden, of
Fairfax; John Taylor of alexandra; c. Gllling.
ham, OF EalrIaX; q sorge q. Hens ID. nOdgkIns l.
ID. Harmon, q. w. Nowland, of Alexqndria; r.
Dreel dY, George w Singleton, John l. Daniels
John IL Borume, William u. Webber c. K Cole
William Harrson of Norfolk; William N Iinsle "
milnsm bey, Burnham rWardwel T. Dudley, Jr.,
burnham Davis, OF Richmond -
Among these, there are four individuals whose
anIecedents are Of nature to suggest that thew
are strongly biased against Mr.. Davis. William
ray, burnham, Wardell, 7. Dudley, Jr, and
bu[nham Davis were brought from Richmond
10 Norlolk 10 serve in the panel During the
war lhese men were held By the Confederate
aulhorlles az prisoners of state at Richmond
under suspicion OF correspondence wiLh the
| enemy. What their moral attributes NAV he
| we khoW not; out the simple tact that by au.
thorlty OF the then PRESIDENT of the Confederacy
| they were deprived of liberty as sunnosed epies
OF the Federal Government ought NJ boU hoo,,
sufficient, in the eyes of justice to render than
| incompetent to act even in the initial nrooaod
ings Of the case. Although the actiop ~ ~
| Grand Jury Is a mere form, still IL would i 80 @
been better If that form had been csIriad iia 1
| without the agency OF parties who NAV he on ~
| posed to nurse resentments and yindictive feai
,ngs against the prisoner ''''