The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1866-06-22
CHA r LE= Ste N.
FRIDAY MORNING, JUNE %, 1866.
JEFFERSON. DAVIS.

to iustice it is all he asks for. He is either guilty
or not guilty But it is contrary to the funda-
mental maxims of law to consider any one guilty.
until he is so proven. Mr.. DAVIS desires to be
tried; but his trial has been postponed from time
to time, until now it is the opinion of very any,
that the party in power have nointenton OF allow
ing it ever to take place.
Application was made by Mr.. DAVIS counsel Tor
his release upon bail or parole. Both Judge UN-
DERwooD and the Attorney General gave it as
their opinion that the offence Mr. DAVIS stands
charged with ia bailable but that he is still
prisoner Of war, and therefore not in the custody
of the United States Civil Courts. A writ OF haoeds
corpus was spoken of, by means OF which, 1t was
Thought. the case of Mr.. DAVIS could easily be
transferred from military to civil jurisdiction.
The signs for his speedy liberation from prison
we're all favorable, when the Radlcols, alarmed
lest their victim should suddenly elude their
prasn nut one of their number forward to clog
the wheels Of justice.
A resolution was offered by Mr.. BOUTWELL, in
the House, and by dint Of party tactics passed BY
large majority. In his preamble he reyamps
the stale charge Of completely in the ASSASSINATION,
which. of course, neither he nor any one else now
believes; and thon resoloes that Gin the opinion OF
this House, the said JEFF. DAVIS should be he'll
in custody as prisoner, and subjected to trial,
according to tho laws Of the land" Now, by what
process Of ratiocination could Mr.. B. or any othe
member bring this question legitmately before the
House? What had Congress- to do with the fact,
whether or not prisoner is entitled to bail. This
is a matter decided by every court for itself. II
is only another instance of the intermeddling ten
denotes of Messrs. THADDEus & Co.
The time of deverance is not yet, but certainly
cannot be far distant. The sentiment of the re-
spectable portion Of the press and people OF the
North has undergone great change IN TINS re-
spect during the last few months HORACE It Rec
LEY and GERR1r SMITH, heretofore considered the
very types Of Radicalism, are now in favor OF re-
leasing Mr.. DAVIS, and can see no propriety IN
irving him for treason. In fact these gentlemen,
apparently having some regard for the honor OF
their party, are now desirous OF fdisembarrasslng
it Of this elephant Mr.. GREELEY has gone 80 far
even az to offer to be one Of the sureties, in case
bail is granted to Mr. DAVIS. Quite laudaDle Oh
the part Of Mr.. GREELEY; and he has our respeot
| for his honorable course.
Rnt we hope il Mr.. DAVIS release shall be con-
Mngent upon securities, that the Southern otaLe
w;ll ar. into bhfssra1vu's 20
sft1r hve Years Of war, marked by destru ction
and spoliation on the most gigantic scale, m ay
not be as "good" as we were anterior to that
period; but what is left is at Mr. DAVIS scr vice.
Iu this We feel assured we express the sentim ent
Of the entire South. Mr.. DAVIS, when President
OF the Oonfederacy, had many opponents and ene-
mics among its citizens both personal and politi-
cal. But the cruel treatment he has undergone,
and the sufferings he has endured, have wiped
ont all such old scores. The voice of resentment
has long since been hushed, a feeling of sympa-
thy for the lustrous prisoner has taken it's place,
coupled with indignation at the barbarous conduct
of his prosecutors.
AS the House of Representatives at Washington
has o1hstituted itself the highest tribunal of the
nation, it may choose not to recognize the South
ern States as entities, and therefore deny their
competency to sign bond, guaranteeing the ap-
pearance of Mr.. DAVIS, at such time ana place as
the court may see proper to appoint for his trial
IF so. we have no doubt q sufficient number OF
pa,.doned private citizens will be found in the
afore.named States who will volunteer to make
the necessary pledge for Mr.. DAVIS honor.
It seems to us that either to release Mr. DAVIS
on bail. or parole him, is altogether the best
course the Government can adopt in his case. It
is clear. from what has passed, that the legal adj
yisers of the Administration, and the wisest mon
of the dominant party, are altogether averse to his
trial; and it is most probable therefore, that the
case will never be tried. Is it right then to hold
the prisoner any longer in durance To punish
him without cause It is scarcely consist with
the age ne live in, and the organic principles Of
the United States Government, to inflict iron fet
hrs, a long-continued close confinement, and
rigorous surveillance upon an old and enfeebled
prisoner, simply to crafty the yindictiye hatred
of a fanatical rabble. By the action of the al-
yhoritiea, Mr. DAVIS Gnferentially) is declared
ssnot guilty." and punished only to safe tn in
furiate passions of blood thirsty pack. He is
made the soapegoat Of party.
But even these Incorporate passions are sub
siding. Reason and cool reflection are gradually
resuming their sway, and this problem, so diff
cult and disagreeable to the government, mu st he
solved II will not do much longer to punish un-
heard and unconyicted; to repeat the days OF
BARON TRENcK and tho IRON Mas, he publica-
ton of DR.. CnAyENs work on tho Prison Life OF
Mr. DAVIS will exercise a potent influence in
bringing about this change Of sentiment. The
book s written with great candor and fearless
ness; Of tho most thrilling interest from begin
ming to end 1t will rival S1Ly1Q PELL1 co.'s "Mes
Prisons, and O O'MEARA's "Voice from St II elena"
rrIo indfonotion r. will ca forth uDOn Mr.. DAVIS