The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1866-06-15

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The pdge n nd ..ille. Criminal"
Tne Richmond Times, of the 18th,
has the following remarks on Judge
Under&ood's Court:
[ The past week WAS an eyentfM one
in the history OF Richmond. The
curtain rose upon the first act of the
most important State trial Of the
nineteenth century. The pretend 4
criminal WAS soldier of great dis
tinction, statesman of consummate
ability, the Executive Chief of a
brave people during their -short-liycd
nationality, and q Christian gentle
man of spotless, purity of private
character. Of the defe,lted section.
Jefferson Davis was the representa-
tive; of the triumphant. John C.. I'm
derwood wis tile. judicial organ.
Since those memorable days ia the
bloody history of French Jacobinism,
when the Sans Culottc sat In judg-
ment upon tue men of the ancient
regime, there had never, been a con-
trast more remarkable or more over
whelmingly III favor Of the accused
as compared Will, the accuser. For
the illlstrous prisoner at Fortress
Monroe. who has borne the slow tor
ture of thirteen months confinement
with such noble heroism, there were
tears, mingled with respect and admi-
ration; for the man who sat upon the
Judgment seat and I, declared him
guilty in advance Of arraignment,
there was q feeling of universal indig-
nation and profound contempt, dis
turbed only by the discordant quack
Of "dead duck" Forney.
Heretofore civilized nations have
surrounded great State trials with
much solemn and imposing ceremony.
Able judges and eloquent prosecutors
have represented the majesty Of
power with be6tting dignity.
But the memorable and historic
Judicial proceedings of the past week
will fill christendom with amazement.
Men will read Underwood's infamous
assault upon the people of Richmond
and his lmpotent calumny. of the
press. and regard the whole proceed
ing as a broad and utterly improba-
bic hoax. Those who most sincerely
respect Republican institutions and
admire the greatness of this country,
viii be the loudest in their denial of
the reality of last weeks mournful
and suggestive extravaganza in this
city. Contrasting with the great
trial OF Aaron Burr, in 1907, reading
Underwood $ billingsgatc and remem-
bering Marshall's charge, they will
say that this country has retrograded
in intelligence and responsibility as
rapidly rs it has advanced in physical
greatness.
AS the people of the South are in
no way responsible for the humilia-
ting judicial burlesque of the past
week, as it was their good fortune to
furnish the illustrious criminal, "
and not the unworthy Judge, there
is no reason why we should conceal
or extenuate circumstance connect
ed with the almost improbable absur-
dity OF the initial chapter in the
history Of the prosecution of Mr.
Davis
If the attempt to make treason
odious is cntailing shame md end
less modification upon the merciless
radicals who have clamorcd for blood,
it is q most just and righteous iudg-
ment for their sins. If, when they
confront Il criminal like Jefferson
Davis with thing like Underwood,
the contrast is unfavorable to the
dominant party, those who hoped to
hnmihate us must bear their load of
disgrace as best they o.tn.
If, however, the radical attempt
''to make treason odious'' has. TINS
far exposed the prosecutors and not
the accused to derision aud reproach
the conservatism Of the North is, for
tunately, saved from all response
bility for the disgrace Of the radicals
by the splendid Northern talent
which WAS arrayed for the accused
1t was fortunate for the Northern
people that when disgrace fell upon
them last week, through Underwood,
that the generous and noble zeal of
O'Conor, Brady, Reed, Shea, Brown
and others, able counsel for EXPIRE
sident Davis, should have represent
ed the intelligent conservatism of the
North.
While Il working party was engaged
81 few days aU0 in 6jsi iptnrrinu II 4,