The Van Buren press., 1866-07-14
From the Richmond Times.
Prison Life of Jefferson Davis.

"The prison life of Jefferson Davis,
embracing details and incidents in his
captivity, particulars concerning his
health and habits, together with many
conversations on topics of great public
| interest" is the title of u volume of some
four hundred pages, which has just been
given TO the world by John j. Craven,
lately Surgeon in the Federal army, and
who was, from the 25th of May to the
25th of December, 1865, the physician Of
ex.President Davis. From this remarka-
bic book copious extracts are given in
another paper, A violent negrophobist
and an ardent Republican, as well as an
enthusiastic advocate of the war, nobody
can suspect DIR, Craven Of the slightest
predictions for the unfortunatee ex- Pres
ident, about whose condition and con-
versation, as State prisoner, he has
written book. 81 -..ls INV
But, despite political prejudices, DR..
Craven has managed to tell the truth,
and, in so doing, he impales and cruel
ties the Head Turnkey at Fortress Mon.
roe as completely as DIR. Barry O'Meara
did the merciless tyrant, who solely tor
tured another great prisoner to death up
on the barren and blasted heights of st.
Helena. ef ae.ag afgeI sfe'har
The plain, simple, unadomed record of
Dr. Craven sustains and corroborates the
terrible report of his successor in office,
DR. Cooper, and condemns to eternal in
fanny the parties to the frightful inhu-
manities which have been inflicted upon
President Davis. The tale of his prison
life is complete, rs the Diary of DIR. Cra-
ven and the official report of Surgeon
Cooper embrace the whole period of his
Imprisonment. The truth, temperately,
coldly and forcibly spoken by the two
men who saw President Davis daily du-
ring the whole period of his confinement
has cast food Of light upon the most
hidcous, shameful and loathsome chapter
Of American history. 1t is prOyidential
that these men vespOken the truth, and
that their testimony cannot be assailed.
Its well for the defeated section and for
the truth of ofhistory, that the secrets Of the
inQuislton and the chamber of torture at
Fortress Monroe should be exposed by
the officials who witnessed the agony and
noble fortitude of the illustrious victim.
The mills of the gods grind slowly"
but it's time that they should grind to
powder the tortures of a helpless states
man, and pure Christian gentleman.
Wild, frightful and shocking as have been
the rumOrs of deeds of violence done up
on the person of President Davis. DR..
Cravcn's book, shows that they aiI fall far
short Of what he has really suffered. {
Above the din of great European
war, the indignant voice of Chrstendom
will be heard when DIR. Craven's diary
crosses the Atlantic. Unless he breaks
its force, Miles must at once take his
place in history by the side of Hudson
Lowe, and expect to meet him elsewhere
than in the abodes Of the blessed /" when
he shuilies off the mortal coil. By a
slight paraphrase Of certain well known
lines, when he departed upon his journey
to that bourne from whence no traveller
returns, we may, say:
"Open wide the gates of Orcus 1n
Where the souls of tyrants roast;
Open wide the gates of Orcus,
To receive another ghost"
No ono can read the charge of DIR.
Craven and the report Of DR.. Cooper,
without discovering that but for the. cou
rageous humanity of his medical attend
ants, Mr.. Davis would have long since
succumbed to the slow tortures of which
he was for twelve months the victim. To
the noble humanity of these gentlemen,
and to the late orders of President John.
son, Mr.. Davis is indebted for the little
life which is yet left in his frail body.