The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1866-05-15


the trial of JEFF Davis for treason is
about to take place. The iurorsn now in
attendance at Judge Underwood courl
at Norfolk are from the northern coun'
ties of Virginia, and are loyal men. The
grand jurymen took two oaths-one moi
to act through malice againt any person
presented for Indictment, and the Other
that they had not aided in the slightest
degree the rebel cause in the late war
and would support the constitution oi
the United States. The portion ofJudge
Underwood's charge to the jury relating
to Davis is reported as follows:
'tAfter referring TO the absence OF
Chief Justice Chase, upon, whom he
would have greatly preferred had fallen
the task of instructing them in The line
oftheir duties, hedescribed the changes
that had been effected by the war in the
administration of justice, and the un-
usual crimes, such as treason and dis
loyalty, they were now compelled TO ad-
judicate upon. In this connection he
lverted to his charge TO the grand jury
preceding them, and would not repeat
hlmSelr now, believing they all knew
the sentiments he had then expressed
But since then peace had been declared,
and the writ of habeas corpus had been
restored. Recently President johnson
expressed desire that not such subor-
linates as Wirz should be brought to
punishment for treason, but the head
traitors. 1t was against these leading
offenders he would have them act, and
punish the principals and not the tools.
It has been determined that such Otten-
ders must be tried in Virginia. AT the
North there had been much complaint
of the tarCliness shown in bringing them
to trial. The delay had been unavoid-
able. There was no need OF fur
ther delay, and he hoped the
time had come when it would be
shown here that treason was held as a
crime and meriting the highest punish
ment. He urged that the mass of the
people of this State who sided with the
rebellion, and took up arms to aid 1t,
could not be held accountable for trea-
son. There was no such general edu-
cation and intelligence here US at the
North. In proof of this he drew par
allel between the First Congressional
District of Virginiu and the state OF
Rhode Island. Though the former had
given birth to four Presidents of the
United States and possessed twice the
acres of Rhode Island, it has not one
titlie the wealth and intelligence. In
nineteen counties OF the district there
huS NV ~ PhPGA $500 ~---
fourths of The men and women could
not read aud write. This degree of ig-
norance he traced TO slavery. Those
who had imposed upon the credulity
and ignorance of the masses in melting
them to rebellion against the govern
ment, he would have punished. There
was no obstacle now in the way, he in
sisted, of bringing indictments against
all the leaders of this rebellion, the pa
rolled prisoners as we'll us the unpH-
rolled. He enjoined that they should
remember their duty in this regard aud
faithfully and fearlessly discharge IT,.
Their fidelity might bring them enc
mics, might lead to their being murder
ously assaulted, as had been number
of tile jury; but he urged that martyr
dom, the martyrdom of Lincoln, the
martyrdom of Jesus, Christ, for duty
done, was vastly preferable to a few
years added life ofignoble ease.
at is thought that the present court
will not protract its session over a week
or ten days. Judge Underwood an
nounced that he thought Justice Chase
would be in attendance to preside in
the course of a month. tits confidently
believed that this jury will bring in
true bills OF indictment against JEFF.
Davis and the most prominent leaders
and generals on the rebel side during
the late war.