Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1866-10-30
From the Richmond Examiner
Mr.. Jefferson Davis.

Do the people of the North (now sole rulers
Of the Union) realize the import and grandeur
ofthe occasion, that demands their early action?
Jefferson Davis, who claimed to be President
of thirteen of the States, now held to be I'M
changeably members of the Union, has eighteen
months pinned in rigid captivity and is confess
eddy entitled, if citizen under the express pro-
visions of that Constitution to the penalties of
which it is alleged he is subject to trial or dis
manded not less by public sense than by law
| and reason, and cannot be much longer delayed.
What should be that disposition? Shall pub
| lie trial, with it's contingent issue, its certain
agitation of profound emotions and its far reach
| ing effects, be encountered, or shall, in the
proud confidence of the stability of the Govern
| ment with the grace of generous chivalry, the
captive be dismissed to the harmless obscurity
| of private life? The considerations involved in
| this matter clearly swell beyond the range of
judicial investigations, and to fetter them with
| in the legal technicaties of case in law or
| equity approaches to farce or mockery. They
plain y rise to the domain Of State policy and
craftsmanship The essential ends of criminal
| adjudication, the ascertainment of guilt in in
| tent and deed and the consignment OF the con-
vict as the just reward of his turpitude and de-
prayity to adequate punishment are wholly
wanting in this instance. While there is no
denial or disguise of the part acted by the pris-
oner in the late eventful struggle, there is as
| little doubt of the absence of all criminality of
intent in the sense of base or wicked purpose,
and of the existence throughout of aims and
sentiments conceived by him, in common with
millions he represented, as Of the highest duty
and public patriotism. Here is man eminent
military and civil. rendered under the Govern,
ment OF the Union, OF admitted abilities, and
approved in all the events of a marked life of
spotless repute for constancy, integrity, valOr
and honor, yielding only to the known convic-
| tons of his political faith and devotng at the
call of his own State, and subsequently of many
others associated with his in league and coun-
sci, his energies and faculties to cause which
failure may brand as rebellion, but which sue
cess must have consecrated as glorious revolu-
| ton. 10 attach turpitude or depravity to such
man or to hold such deeds crime in it's essence
of evil design, for which the forfeiture of life or
liberty is just retrbution, shocks the reason and
sentiments of man in this day ofenlghted mod
ern civilization. All the wisest and best know.
and feel if such sacrifice is to be consummated,
1t will not be IN just recompense OF crime, but a
sad exaction to vengeance or political expedien-
cy. Are the claims Of either to justify such a
deed Is it thought by the people ofthe North
that for Their losses and sacrifices in the late
fearful war inadequate compensations have been
| obtained and that further atOnement must be
rendered in blood? Have they not had suffi-
cheney of qualifications for all lost or suffered in
the triumph of complete if not speedy success
in one of the greatest wars OF history, and as
| they boast in having assured in perpetuity a.
| by decree of the God of battles all the grand
aspirations and destinies bound up in the u
Mon? Are no adequate compensations to be
found in the flush of prosperity and wealth
which CLOVIS over the whole face of the North,
caused by the expenditures during the war OF
untold millions in new country, whose surpas-
sing activity and enterprise directed the devel-
opment of boundless resources, that had only
awaited adequate capital to be realized p
Whenever before did grim visaged war scat
ter such bounties, or, in departing, afford such
satisfactory guarantees of their continuance and
increase? Can no assuagement of passion or
vindictiveness be found in pride and patriotic
satisfaction at the admiration by the world of
the constancy, resources and power of the North
ern people, and the renown, influence and posi-
ton among the foremost nations of the earth,
established for the great American Republic by
the reunion? But if indeed, as can scarcely
be thought of mighty people, passionate era
wings for vengeance, or some strange conception
of the need of further atonement, stimulate still
a cry for judgment and punishment. surely it
|
Of the people of a great republic to have that
Cry directed against single man, however con-
spicuous by reason Of fame or position. To
Jefferson Davis, as a man, rather extorted adj
miration than fierce hate must be accorded by
all not blinded by prejudces or fury Against
him only as the Chief Magistrate and leader Of
the people Of the late Confederate States, does
the rage Of vengeance point. But surely, the
people of the North, In the pride and knowl-
edge of their boasted Republicanism, have been
penetrated by the profound truth, that single
man, or even limited number, however inhu-
entail, are insignificant and powerless to evoke
or settle such issues were involved in the late
struggle, and that the opinions and movements
of millions of men must have their rise, pro-
gress and contamination under providential ar
engagements, or necessities in the nature and
hearts Of the people themselves 1t is a mar
row conception, belonging to the traditions of a
monarchial age, that ascribes such grand move
ments to the actions and influence of few
Kings or leaders, and holds them responsible
as authors Of events, in which they are only ex-
ponents or guides of precedent existing convic-
tons or passions of the great popular mind
Can the great Northern Democracy, exulting in
the great consciousness Of its own irresistible
sway over the course fits actions and destinies,
sink to the paltry delusion that the millions OF
the South, SO earnestly engaged in the late fear
full war, were misguided or deceived by few
ambitious leaders, Or condescend to the puny
vengeance that fixes responsibility and atone
ment on one? They must feel in the conviction
and pride of their own sovereignty that if judg-
ment and punishment were worthy or necessa-
ry, that of the people Of the Southern States,
as the real offenders is the trial to be held and
the atonement exacted. And have they not,
indeed, by the power of great numbers and mil
itary resources, not in the narrow precincts Of a
judicial forum, but on how many battlefelds, by
the resistess DEGREES of war--the arbiter of ma
tions-already wrought enough Of injury to
those against whom their passion was directed
Such as may think not, surely have not realized
the waste and desolation which, in years OF
| bloody strife, have swept, as with the bosom OF
| destruction the Southern States Have they
reflected how by one decree of the war power,
as never was done before, were subverted and
overthrown the social system, the cherished in
situations and organized labor of so many States?
How were utterly annihilated to the owner per-
| haps the largest certainly the most productive
property and investments Of the Southern peo-
| pie, and how resting on these for their basis,
all securities were either destroyed or so depre-
ciated as to yield for years no income? How
all money and credit were swept away, trade
and business of all kinds paralyzed, and the
people, even the wealthiest, left destitute of all
| 9, ,o +bo;, In pdc md cucb homoS oo al