Western Reserve chronicle. [volume] (Warren, Ohio) 1855-1921, 1866-05-16
Jefferson Davis Indicted for
Treason.

When the President and his advisors
gave evidence of great anxiety to pre-
vent the escape of Jefferson Davis to be-
yond the bounds of Federal jurisdiction,
by offering a heavy reward for his aPpre-
hension, the country still in the full fer
vor of patriotic zeal, expected as a re-
suit of the capture of Davis and his chief
co-conspirators, a summary military trial
by court-martial, and the meeting out of
punishment in a degree as nearly as
possible commensurate with the crime OF
high treason against the Republic. But
months rolled by while Davis was left to
his reflections in comfortable quarters at
Fortress Monroe. Daily his apologists
have been apparently growing in number
and certainly in boldness, until even
here in the North there are men and
who demand his release, and
openly proclaim that he is guilty of no
crimei This insolence on the part OF
southern rebels and copperhead traitors,
is the fruit of the hesitating, vascillating,
backingdown policy that has marked the
administration for months past, On whom
The responsibility rests of not having
brought Davis to a speedy trial long since
it is difficult to say. Reports are con-
fiicting. The President has indicated by
communications on the subject, the de-
Law was not chargable to him, and what
ever blame attaches in the case has been
placed to the account of Chief Justice
Chase, whom it is said, wishes to have
all military authority and influences
swept away before he proceeds to the tri-
al of the head traitor. But the case has
at last got on SO far as that Davis has
been indicted. A telegram dated Wash
ington, May IL, says:
yesterday Jefferson Davis was indie
ted for treason by the Grand Jury OF the
United States District Court, now IN ses-
sion at Norfolk, and the trial of the pris-
oner will take place, it is supposed, IN
June"
The Court was held by Judge Under
wood, the substance of whose charge to
the Grand Jury, is given as follows:
The charge of Judge Underwood to
the Grand Jury of Norfolk, which has IN
dicted JEFF. Davis for treason, is largely
occupied with the baneful influences of
slavery in Virginia and the demoraliza-'
ton consequent upon the rebellion. He
calls attention also to the disloyal press
of the State, and adds: While concufring
with the Lieut.. General and distinguished
soldiers and accomplished lawyers who
command the department of Virginia,
in the process of abating, by military pow
er, such papers during the supremacy OF
martial law and recognizing a distinction
between Eberality and license, after ma
ture reflection we doubt if the policy can
be supported by the courts, against treas
enable papers in this state. Much com-
plant has been made by our fellow citl-
zens of the North of the hardness OF our
criminal prosecutions. We think 1t bet
ter IN imitation of the great and good mar
tyred Lincoln and in imitation OF the
Great Ruler of the universe, whose Juog-
ments and r~etributions are slow and sure
that we should approach this great CUES
ton of punishment of the authors OF tne
terrible and ~unproYoked rebellion with
all possible deliberation, discrimination,
caution and clemency, SO that no unnec-
essary blood shall be added to the tor
rents that has already soaked the soil OF
our beloved State. This court unsnl-
mously agrees with the President IN his
often-repeated declaration that treason Is
the greatest of crimes, and ought ,te De
s~ignaIly punished, and it is cowardly to
punish the subordinate and comparative
iy insignificant and allow the principals
to escape. We also concur in the opinion
that leaders in State rebellion may be
treated as traitors or public enemies, as
they are undoubtedly both by the laws
of nations and by common lay.
WAsHISGToN, May 12th.-Itis said that
Chief Justice Chase will preside at the
trial of. Jefferson Davis. and that Attor-
ney-Generd Speed willprosecute, assisted
by Judge Clifford. of Mass, and VIM. T.
Evarts, of New York, as counsel on the
part of the prosecution. Judge Under
wood arrived here to-day, and had q long
interview with the Assistant Attorney
General.