New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1866-06-16
Opinions On Secession and Reconstruction.
His Estimates Of thu late Nr. Lincoln and
President Johnson.
4 b,lenst from The Charge Of Cruelty to Prisoners
TIE PRISONERS DEMAND FOR A TBIAL,

DAVIS transparent processes 10 nave Wnucftdkeu
task in the spirit Of humanity with which he has
than bound up the wounds of Rebel soldier
To this intelligent and liberal viii not care to object
even if some unhappy comparisons might be made Dr.
Craven is willing 10 occupy the relation toward
fallen foe as that which DrBay Meara bore to Napoleon
of St. Helena There is greater difference however, be-
tween Jefferson Davis and Napoleon Bonapare than be-
Tween Surgeons Craven and Oeara. CoCrayens CANT
ly published volume fairly ard clearly written and is an
attempt made i'll evident candor to give the people of the
North an unprejudced view Of the personal life Of JeeT-
son Davis. The author appears TO be equally in
pressed with respect for the intellectual aud individual
character OF his subject, and with consderate pity
for bis feeble physical condition. The book is
an updsgused plea in the prisoners behalf aud it pre-
sumabe has been written with the ercourag ment Of the
friends Of the prisoner if not the oounenance OF officers
Of the Government petition for sick man is TO be
expected from doctor above al men, and just and mag
nanimons pubic is anxous to hear an Informal de-
fonse from the prisoner himself On grounds Of TASTE we
have to regret chiefly that the aubor has put himself too
iar forward il the attitude Of peade and has departed
from the boundary Of simple and dgnifed statement upon
which the prisoner might be content to rest his case to
give expression TO certain candid, but unnecessary pohn-
cal views We question also the wisdom Of publishing
pTobaby with the consent of the wife of the prisoner
private letter Of Mrs varina Davis which little educated
a. the Northern public may be in the school Of pride they
will deem an incitement pity rather than TO respect Of
family misortunes which, the whole are not as sres'
a. those borne BY many humber Rebels
MI Daviss first remarkable appearance before the read
eris in the character Of resistant On the I'D Of May
the thra day Of his Imprisonment be underwent bengpG
in irons" trial severer says. Dr. Craven than has
ever been INFLICTED upon any who he's enjoyed such
smnence" Captain Ttlow, Of the Third Pennsylvania
Artillery, was sent TO see il performed.
row MR. DAVIS WAS PUT IN IRONS
"wen said Nh. Davis they entered, slightly raising
IN unpleasant duty TO perform, Sir" said Capt
Ttcw; and IS be spoke, tie senior blacksmith TOOK the
Davis eaped Instantly from his reeumbent attitude flush
passing over his and then bis counieuanoe
he easped for breath cuiohne his throat With the thin
fingers q ,sa hs1S iS srsa ap c rs @
appearing TO swell with Indignation and een to saaE %i
my God you cannot have been sent to iron me-"
blacksmith TO approach who stepped forward unlocking Inc
paddock and preparing the fters 20 do their once I1ese
ihosne s'G and con1sesd together BY chain weight
Os s tSSg an s59 d nT y 1se rtSe
THIS is too @oastrOus groaned the prisoner elarng hur
seifdesuctop Il demand Captain that You let me see the
commanding officer Can be peead thai such saaeAs are
required the safe custody OF weak ola man, 80
guarded and in such fort Is Vie ,.a ran. q,o, ohs
orders are from washington, mine are from him"
but he telegraph nterIcsed Mr.. Davis eagerly
threaten me the history Of nations Beg
him g telegraph and aesy unit. be ap, S TO- IN, admit
Of no DELAY For your sake let advise you 10 submit
with patience. AS soldier Mr. DAVIS yon know must
These are not order, soldier" shouted the prisoner
losing an control Of hiuseI They orders hOr
Tor hangmaD. which soldier wearing sword should
s sSSse The se war over the south conquered
have no longer any country but America, and u is
Mead against IBIS degradation KIN me k ne be cried
fassionatey throwing his wde open and exposing BIS
me this insult worse than death" ,,..
do your duty blacksmith said the Officer walking TO-
ut only gives increased pain on all des 10 pr0iFaei
At tiee words the blacksmith advanced with the shaekle
sd seeing the prisoner had foot uPon the chair near
bis bedside his right hand resting on the BACK OF H. me
bIswny mechanic made attempt 70 sip Of the shaekes
the ankle 90 raised 6u. ss WITH The ana
Ar Davis suddenly seized bh sssian aud hurled Lin bali
On this CAPT Tiiow turned and seeing that Davis had
backed against the wall for further resistance began 70 re-
course was aGnesi and that orders must enesa e Any
fod Why eoaps i9e be @ad 70 ada The farther ndg
MY sS prisoner u ws seresy retored Davis have
been der in tue armies Of America and know to die
head twhe lave e and strength to resist foF myself
ar for y sS h sF s n ss &c and
nSn the next ana eG y se, oS n sazaS G
Dnskst and attempted 70 wrench it from his grosp
OF could have bat issue There was
eua saO noob s 5sd and before bis four powerful sssn
removed their him, tie blacksmith aud his assist
ankle while other turned the KEY IN the paddock the left
Til done MI Davis lay for me as in stupor Then
slowly raising himself ard turning round, he dropped bis
phsekd feet 70 the floor The ha5sh clark Of the striking
chain first to have recalled him W hs situation, and
dropping his face into his hands he burst into passionate
hood OF sobbng rocking no and mutteng at brief
Intervals, "O6, The shame, the shame"
On the 24th the doctor found his patient feyerish and
cmaciated, suffering from great irritation Of mind and
body and chronic neuralgia which had destroyed the
night Of his night eye Too weak TO bear his shackles
they were of four FIVE days by advice Of his
physician. In June be permitted 10 walk on the rau
parts for hour every day. though too III at hrst TO STAND
more than half hour, and IN August, While suffering
from eryspelas and caIbunele, was remoTed to more
comfortable quarters at Carroll Hail. bis PRISON rare, II
not choice enough FOR in his sensitive III health, was
improved by supplies from the doctors table. Under
prison regulations be not allowed TO use knife and
fork and all his Letters inspected by The Government
From June TO November, which closes the volume, we
hear his complaints Of deter Grating health, and his
frequent protest against the ngor and indgnity OF Ms
treatment the head Of six millions Of people, ana
prisoner refused impartial trial We must believe thai II,
appears Mr. Davis has beer shattered invalid dming
Che whole Of his Incarceration, imprisonment Ii the
worst punishment that can be meted out 70 him.
We turn a agreeable if not altogether satisao-
tory chapter Of personal characteristics TIE prisoner
illustrated proud spirited pcnetretye with bet
ter than cycopedac knowledge Of the practical depart
nents Of learning and occasionally Of bitter feel
ings and obstinate pTcudces with temperament Of the
ATablous type. His IN excess and his weak
pess is not The want Of win. lis conversation includes
many subjects, fom and politics to aid science
showing Gays his doctor large, varied and practical
knowledge. The geology, botany and all pod cts
81 his section appear have in turn claimed