Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1866-07-11
Prison Life of Ex-President Davis

Prison Life of Ex-President Davis
We continue our extracts f.om DR.. CRA
VEINS Prison Life of JEFFERSON DAVIS,
feeling satisfied that it will prove more il
teresting to our readers than anything VIZ
can present:
June l.-Called with Captain Korte, off.
Ger of the day, about noon. He had been
sent for at eight P. NJ, but WIS away fishing
He asked me what luck fishing, and appear
ed in better spirits than usual.
Had just heard, he said, through an irregu
lar channel, that he had been indicted with
Mr.. Breckenridge in the District Of Columbia,
and hoped, therefore that he was about to
have constitutional trial-not one by mill
tary commission, to which he would not
have pleaded, regarding it as foregone muir
der. The news had reached him through
the conversation of some soldiers in theguard
room, who spoke sometimes u each otherin
loud tones what they wished him to over
hear. 1t was probably in no friendly spirit
that they had given him this news; but to
him it was as welcome as air to the drown
ing.
he then referred to the severity of his
treatment, supposing himself at present to
be merely held for trial, and not already un-
dergoing arbitrary punishment As this con.
yersation was very important one, l took
full note of it almost Immediately on quit
ting his cell, and it is now given in very
nearly, if not precisely, his OWL words;
Humanity supposes every man innocent"
urged Mr.. Davis, "untl the reverse shall be
proven and the laws guarantee certain pri-
yileges 10 persons held for trial. To hold me
here for trial. under all the rigors Of con-
demned convict is not warranted by LAWS
revolving to the spirit of justice. In the po-
litical history of the world there is no parallel
to my treatment. England and the despotic
governments of Europe have heheaded men
accused of treason but even sitter their con-
yiction no such efforts as in my case have
been made to degrade them. Apart, howev-
er from my personal treatment, let US see
how this matter stands.
"If the real purpose in the matter be to
test the question of secession by trying GER
tain persons connected Herewith for treason,
from what class or classes should the per-
sons 30 selected be drawn?
GFrom those who called the State Conven-
tions, or from those who, in their respective
conventions, passed the ordinance of seces
sion? Or from the authors OF the doctrines
of State rights? Or from those citizens who
being absent from their States, were uncon-
nected with the event, but on its occurrence
returned to their homes to snare the fortunes
OF their States as duty of primal allegiance
Or from those officers Of the State, who, be.
ing absent on public service, were called
home by the ordinance, and returning, Joined,
their fellow citizens in State service, sna
followed the coqrae due to that relation
"To the last class 1 belong, who am the
object of greatest rigor. This can only be
explained on the supposition that having been
most honored, [, therefore, excite most re-
| vengefpl feelings-for how else can 1t Be &C,
! counted for? -,
81 did not wish for war, but peace. There
! fore sent Commissioners to negotiate before
yas commenced; and subsequently, strove
~y a.ternost to soften the rigoGs Of war II
49, >sy pause Of conflict seeking, if possible,
eo1 to t,a It for peace, Numbers Of those already
w IL. .,e vy pardoned ere those who, at the
Pracs,oa, Ps;nc erged that the black flag should
be he boisted l Al, 4 the struggle made oRp Of des
peration. c,. o.cb sovere;on
ond their nnion voluntary had learned from
the Fathers of the Constitution that q eta;s
could change it's torln of government, aooi,
ishing all which had previously existed sno .
NV only crime has been obedience 70 Inls
conscientious convictions. Was not this the
universal doctrine of the dominant Demoe oerat
ic party in the North previous to seces'i
Did not many of the opponents that party,
in the same section, share an1 ay0w' that
faith (? They preached and professed to be-
Iipye. We believed, and preached, and prac'
tised.
"If this theory be now adjudged erroneous,
the history of the States from their colonial
organization to the present moment, shouic
be rewritten, and the facts suppressed wnicn
may ,uislead others in like manner 10 IKE
conclus2n.
"But if--as suppose-the purpose be to
test the question of secession By o judicial. de-
eision, why begin Oy nppressipg the chie'
subject of the experiment. Why, IN tue
name of fairness and decent respect for the
opinions of mankind, deprive him Of the
means needfuI to preparation OF his defence
and load him with ipdignities which must
deprive his mind of its due equiIibsum:P IL
i'll comports with the dignity of great ma
ton to evipce fear of giving to single cap'
tive enemy all the advantages possible ior aI
exposition Of his side of the question. a
question settled by violence, or in. disregard
of law, must remain unsettled for ever.
believing all good government TO rest OF
truth, it is the resulting belief that in justice
to any individual is public, injury. whicl
:an only fiud compensation in the reaction
F., .;hich brings retributive justice upon the op
nressors. Il has been the continually grow
Ing danger of the North, that in attempting
to crush the liberties of my people, you VII
4 - -r-anl.anstein of tyranny that Wonlt