Democrat and sentinel. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1853-1866, 1866-05-24
Trial of Jeff Davis.

by the speeches of Stevens, wishing all the
Southern people % in hell,'' and Senator
Nye in favor of hanging jeff Davis with
out trying him, caused the Washington
correspondent of the Boston Traveler to
write to that paper in this way:
1t is the settled purpose of certain
men in high position here to have Mr.
Davis executed, if it is within the range
Of possibility, and they are not slow in
asserting that the people of the North will
never allow the interposition of Executive
clemency."
There is no question about the truth of
this, for the persons high in authority "
alluded 10, take no pains to conceal their
feeling and unless we are very much
mistaken the men alluded to have really
found a warm sympathiser in Judge I'm
derwoud, before whom Davis Is expected
to be tried His charge TO the Grand
Jury Of the United States District Court
of Norfolk, on Tuesday week, was more
like one OF Stevens bloody announcements,
than the calm and cautious utterances,
which are expected from Judge. So
violent was his language that the foreman
of the jury asked to be excused from
serving, 'because he felt himself incom-
pctent as a man of peace and good will
10 all men, to handle the tools spoken OF
in the charge" From the charge in ques-
ton it is evident that Judge Underwood
is prepared to DO all within power to bring
the prisoner TO the gallows. His vindic-
tive charge demonstrates this very clearly.
Without entertaining the slightest re-
gard for the life Of jeff Davis more than
we do for the humblest rebel in the late
rebellion. we do not think that he should
be tried in passion by individuals whose
verdict is fixed before they are empanelled
as Jurors. His crime was a great one,
but no greater than that of thousands who
acted with him. He should, therefore, be
tried by the highest tribunal in the land,
and if convicted then the question of in
fiicting punishment should be considered
with caution. He is no ordinary offender,
but no matter how heinous his offence,
will it be the true policy Of the govern
| ment, for our future peace and glory, to
infiict upon him the extreme punishment
which some are painting for? The Eng
| lish Government never made Il greater
mistake, in regard to Ireland than it did
! in executing Robert Emmett. That act,
/ even now, arouses more hatred in the
/ Irish heart against that government, than
/ do its years of oppression of that unfortu-
nate people. So well satisfied was the
! British government of the blunder they
| l. Il, .l,,+
| 1913 it merely banished few of the lead
crs of the Irish revolt of that year. while
| O'BRIEN the leader of the insurrection was
! soon after pardoned ard permitted TO re-
! turn to his home, while the rest were per-
mitted TO escape 10 America. Isabella in
/ pleading for the life of her brother, says
''it is good TO have the power of a giant
! but not to use it like giant so the Uni
/ ted States government can well afford to
be merclful 10 the fallen Southern chieftain
and to all others engaged with him. a
victory of mercy is what we now want,
! and what will assuredIy win back the
hearts of the Southern people. A paper
| from President Johnson's own State allu-
ding to this subject is very emphatic in
the conviction of Davis ultimate release,
simply as a question affecting the future
glory of our country England, it says
suffered Napoleon to die in prison, and, for
centuries TO come, will blush at the men
ton of the deed. Placed in a parallel
situation, America has it in her power
to-day, TO write a decree of mercy, that
shall glow and brighten by contrast ii
coming years, as do the stars in heaven
from whence all mercy comes. AS every
Englishman may well blush at mention O.
Napoleon Bonapartc at St. Helena, so il
Andrew johnson will crown his many act:
of wisdom with this noble act of mercy
every American may proudly point to i
as the noblest achievement of the great
republic. Pittsburgh Post.