The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1866-04-17
jefferson Davts,

been confidently whispered here. to-
da31 that it is in Contemplation TO eff
feet the removal from here to Rich
roond of JEFF. Davis on a writ of Aa5eds
corpus. Ii the late proclamation of
the President will admit of such step
being taken, there can be no doubt Of
the readiness of plenty to make the
effort. 1t lsasserted that the Govern
ment would throw no serious obstacle
In the way of accomplishing such q
result. BY this step, the Govern
ment. it is insisted, would rid itself
OF a responsibility it is more anxious
than otherwise to get rid of, or, in
other words, become relieved Of the
care and custody oflwhat has come to
be regarded as a very considerable
elephant. OF course, this is merest
rumor and assertion, founded OH be-
lief, having, possibly, no foundation
whatever i'll fact. A strong coloring,
however, is given to the rumor by the
arrival, this morning, of DIR. Craven,
former post surgeon, and, for months,
the wel-known medical attendant and
adviser of jeff. Davis. 1t will be re-
membered that it was through DR.
Craven's influence Mr.. Davis was al
lowed exercise, and through this, and
his removal from the damp and un-
wholesome casemate he had been oc-
cupying to Carroll Hall, the saving of
his hfe--to such Il very low physical
condition had he been reduced by his
close confinement and the treatment
he had received-is generally and
freely accredited 1t is also known
that since going from here DR.. Craven
has spared no influence in his power
to have Mr.. Davis brought to trial, if
for no other reason, to bring his ir,-
prlsonment to q close, already pro-
tracted nearly year, and thereby not
only settle the vexed question as to
what shall be done with him, but I'M
questionably prolong his life. Justice
requires it to be stated that, in taking
such an active course on Mr.. Davis
behalf, DR.. Craven has not been, and
IS not, actuated 10y any sympathy for
the rebellion, or it's acknowledged
head and front in the person of Mr..
Davis. His action hns been insti-
gated by motives of simple Justice
and humanity toward his late distin-
guished patient. We shall soon see
what will come of it. In the mean
while, the great ex-rebel chieftain
himself continues on the even tenor
of his way, pretty much as for months
past. His obdurate will and intense
pride of character have borne him ND
thus far; but there is an end to hu-
man endurance, and the words, II
breathe and l can bear" Of Byron,
must merge into poetic fiction 1t
Is becoming thus with Davis. An
officer told me, to- day, that he felt
sure he would not live the summer
out if kept in prison.
Cor. -Nem York Heyelhi.
Every radical, upon his arrival
here, rushes t" the White House with
the inquiry, Why don't you try
jeff. Davis and hang him:" The
President replies to these importuni-
ties that he is not n public execu-
TONER; that there are some 500 of the
accused, perhaps some Of whom are
now in prison awaiting trial by order
OF Congress or of the United States
courts. Take them, he says, and
hang them if you will, but you won't
make me your Jack Kctch. The
United States Supreme Court has
adj ourned without making any at
tempt to bring Mr.. Davis or ANYBODY
else to trial, though under the Act
establishing the judicial system of
the United States, the court has the
power to order a special session of
any circuit court at any time. Chief
Justice Chase cannot now object that
Virginia is in u state of insurrection,
but he and other members of the
court probably believe that Mr.. Davis
will be acquitted of the charge of
treason if tried in any State lately in
rebellion. Congress, no doubt, en-
tertains the same opinion.
Congress is now about to be brought
by Mr.. Raymond's resolution to a
decision upon this subject, and if
they refuse to take upon themselves
the responsibility of action In the
matter, it would not be surprising if
the President should order that JEFF
ferson Davis and his confederates be
paroled or dismissed Pains are
taken, it will be seen, by the Presi-
dents friends to eyonerate him from
ali the blame of the delay in bringing
Messrs. Davis, c. G. Clay and others
to trial for treason. - JTuMi,lQton
Correspondence Baltimore .Srn.
The correspondent of the Tribu4e
writes.