New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1866-05-15

fcrfcd TO IT, The reason OF this plain The blood.
thirsty spirit that brought the heads Of the best and noblcs Of
tonar1 DIRECTORY is now seeking to destroy MI Davis all
hsEard If possible by attempting 20 impu,e 70 him crime
he Is fax lees able to conne at Than those who pretend TO
judge him .u.,... A.. n. ...,,.,, :. d..
work Of Underwood 1hsd Stevens would bring him TO the
block IL possible through the assassination charge but
this miserable preense has not tho shadow Of decent
probability to support IT, bis enemies are compelled 10 take
what comfort they can out OF the accusation OF treason
However his trial may END tue Iiamy Of Tie judiciary Com
The Ners is thoroughly aware that the charge oil
completely in the assassination Of Mr. Lincoln orgina-
ted neither with Mr. Stevens nor with the Judiciary
Committee, but was made By the President of the
United States, in public official document, which
stands to this hour unrevoked and unretraeted We
sincerely trust and believe that it is founded in mis-
apprehension But, il it be true, II surely ought 70
be thoroughly investigated and made the basis OF u-
dcial proceedings; while, if known to be basee's 1t
should 10 promptly recalled and withdrawn. While
it stands unretTacted the Judiciary Committee are
incontestaby right in seeking to probe it and we are
confident that those nearest to Mr. Davis will thank
them for SO doing II he Is to be tried for treason
next month and is guiltlcss Of any completely i'll or
knowledge Of Booths arocity, he ought to be publicly
absoyed and vadioated Of the charge which now
stands against him. and which may insensibly preju-
dice him in the minds of jurors. And we deem it
highly probable that his able and thoroughly wide
awake counsel will insist before he is put on trial for
treason that this charge of assassination shall either
DO brought to issue or unequvccally retraeted. At
all events, we insist that it be thoroughly understood
that "the revolutionary Directory" is in no man
ner responsible for it.
The Nsps's attack on Judge Underwood is alike alb
surd and maeyoent. Judge U. has caused the ndict
men of Davis for treason 1t iswihin our knowledge
that Jealous able disnterested friends of the accused
have complained 1--WE thought, with reason) that the
official head of the late Rebellion kept so long
in prison ,oithod being indicted and tried. lie il
either guilty not guilty." they forcibly said; "H
guilty why not indct and try him if not guilty, why
not release him." We thought they were so far right
and have sought to have the obstacles to his trial
removed And now we find q. S. District Judge Of
the United States held up to repobaion for doing his
simple duty in the direction which the near friends Of
the prisoner have hitherto indicated conformable to
their wishes.
The correspondent of The Ne,cs telegraphs from
Washington that
"The recent indictment OF Mr.. DAVIS 81 Norfolk
brought about by Judge Underwood on his own responsibility
aud that II has received the sanction Of the Government or
~
the Government oil law officers. that Jefferson Ds
vss crime whatever be- dos amount 10 TREASON and
tried in any Civil Court conviction FOR treason cannot
be secured To place Jefferson Davis trial for treason IS to
have proclaimed that he did not commit eason and ~
knowledge OF h, hitherto his trial II
he is put trial under this indictment viii simply be in
order that he NAV honoraby acquitted Underwood and
such Nyc who thirst for the blood OF Jefferson Davis
do not this but Thsdds Stevens IT, and hence his
anxiety get MI Davis tried as an acoomPce Of the
asslSsins.
If Mr.. Davis is OF was "the accomplce oil assas
SINS" he ought certainly TO be tried as Such but We
do no, believe lie was hence we insist that lie ought
to be cleared of the blasting mputa,on before be is
put on trial for treason. Admitting. then, the as
sumption Of The Ners. we submit that Dir. Dayis's
friends should be greatly obliged to Mr.. Stevens, to
the House Judiciary Committee and to whatsoever else
il trying to push the investigation of the Assassina
ton charge, and to Judge Underwood for procuring
the indictment. Those who most love and honor tho
Head Center Of the late Coniedcracy are thoroughly
tired of his incarceration and anxious that he should
either be tried or liberated. They have never shrunk
from any scrutiny into his alleged completely with
Booth and have desired to See him speedily brought
TO trial whatever charge might be preferred against
him. Tie Nous is not serving him or them-it is
serving only itseby carpng at the action OF Judge
Underwood or Of the Judiciary Committee.