The day book. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 1857-1867, 1866-07-13
Murder Considered as a Political Art

Murder Considered as a Political Art.
The press of the South has been admon-
ished very often, that denuncations of the
Radical majority in Congress were productive
of great harm, inasmuch as these utterances
were calculated to provoke the wrath of the
SUMMERS, and WADEs, and WILSON'S, and
GRINELLs of that worshipful assembly. For
our own part, we could never appreciate the
wisdom of this advice. We only endeavored,
in our censure, to hold up to public view
those who deserved rebuke; and we fatter
ourselves that we have never wounded the
feelings of any liberal-minded man by the
But for vice and corruption, we shall always
have plain words of open condemnation and
especially shall we insist upon a vindication
of the rights of Virginia, without regard to
the timid and mistaken suggestions, which
prefer an eloquent silence to vigorous
assertion. That we have been right in our
estimate of the infamies of which the Radical
leaders in Congress are capable, we have
never doubted; but, if doubt of the justice
of our conclusions had ever suggested itself
to our minds, that doubt would be fully re-
moved by the circumstartial and specific
statements made by the Washington cores
pondent of the New York Herald, of the
conspiracy to convict Mr., DAVIS, Mr.. CLAY,
and other gentlemen, of completely in the
famous assassination plot"
1t is stated distinctly that the Department
of Justice instigated and paid for the suborn-
alton of testimony, and the perjured wit
nesses themselves admit that they swere to
the most cruel and infamous lies, in ae-
cordance with instructions.
One Of these murderous dogs, CAMPBELL,
states that his affidavit was committed to
memory, FROM memoranda furnished him,
and his testimony was recited for pecuniary
consideration There were eight of these
creatures-creatures so utterly vile, that
professional bravo would scorn their acquaint-
ance--who were brought to testify to the
criminality of the intended victims.
The infamy of this business beggars all
description. 1t reveals degree of cruel and
deliberate hatred beyond the conception of an
honest mind, and holds up the Radical lead
ers and their partisans to an immortal in
fanny.
1t does something more. 1t shows Mr..
JoHNsoNs frmness in a conspicuous light,
for notwithstanding this array of testimony );
Notwithstanding the declared opinion of the
Attorney General, which opinion will hang
round that officials neck like mill stone, to
sink him forever in the esteem of all honor
able men notwithstanding the fierce and
threatening clamor of the Radical leader, and
and the Radical rag tag and bobtail, he had
the courage and the will to stand between
the illustrous victim and his would be-as-
sassins.
This correspondent of the Herald turns
over CHASTITY picture in the history OF this
country, and he tells his story with such cir
eumstantial accuracy that we accord it full
belief; especially as the same statement has
already been made without the specific
charges which he had laid before the world
When it appears that these Radical leaders
were ready to murder Mr.. DAVIS and other
unfortunates, by having their lives sworn
away falsely on the Holy Evangalists, we ask
if any moderation on the part of the Southern
press could have begotten in them a generous
temper Dead to the calls of honor and the
voice of conscience, they were and are ANNA
ted by hatred which knows no such word
as mercy, and is ignorant of justice. The
gravity of this charge, the specific nicely of
its statements, and the present attitude of
parties at the North give us the assurance
that the murderous conspiracy will be fully
investigated and we trust the press and the
people Of the country will call with one
united voice, for a full disclosure of its dia-
bolical particulars Let us know tue names
of the wrstches who could study murder as a
political art, and mediate the shedding of
innocent blood, to crafty at one stroke a
paltry hatred and attain q party end. 1t is Il
duty which the United States owe to their es-
cuteheon, to tear the mask from these Radical
Mokannas, and we trust it will be done with
high hand and an outstrctched arm.
The Call for another National Con
VentiOn.
We feel No anprehension that iva sb.l ar