New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1866-10-01
JEFFERSON DAVIS.

The NJ T. Times has seemed to differ with us
touching the actual and the proper treatment OF the
official head Of the late Confederacy; yet the follow
ing article from its columns is but a resune of what
we have bcen saying on the subject for months past
There is a conglomeration Of shuttle, sham, shrk and
sneak in the treatment Of this prisoner witch is cal
culated TO nsuseate the civilized world, and for which
somebody viii yet be held to stern responsibility
Every manly instinct demands that Davis should be
promptly tried if be is not to be tried or is only to
be subjected TO a costly aud mschievouS slam trial,
with no expectation or desire OF cOnyiCting him,
be should be liberated at once. And if he is to be
tried only for treason then the charge OF assasslna-
ton should be retracted publicly as it WAS made.
And it is tho duty of the Executive, Though his
Attorney General to act promptly and frankly in the
premises so as TO relieve the Government from the
imputa.ion of eliminating enemy and loldingfor
eighteen months prisoner whom it dare not put on
trial. The American people are being disgraccd by
the acts of their rulers, and they must iLSst Oh
speedy change. Says The Times:
1--WE learn from The Matte val that Judge Under
wood md tie CbefJus:ce have come TO the ina
because Of he kgislor Of The last Consrs tbea1Jo9fnu
Court canno. DO held next month consequently ' dsv
D1vs with all Others, must be postponed ~ Lyt
The manner IN which tins case OF DAVIS 80 ~ u.s.
off oihls is becoming scandal 70 the nation. W w
mere football be kicked about between ht IIesIlo
Congress aud Chief Justice Chase each maAs 'orh n'
ground Of come reproach against lne o.1ers, q.
President In his message last eceW0e repessnuI
as very desirable Davis should Dc ued Dnt aea na
the ChefJustice unwilling 10 hod Court LOT thM pu
nose In Virginia where alone trial can be had long as
state of war till existed and WINE the mary N was o"u
eonentlv naramonnt In April proclamation OF was
issned which seemed TO remove this Objectionable tris
,Yes bs5 The Court was held however by judge Under
rood who delivered charge regard this and then
for some the trial Until the next
torn be IN October. And are told that
OF the legislation Of the last Congress the Court
be held and the trial must again over What egs
ation should like to know has brought about this result
Gov Boutwell, recent speech in Massachusetts,, said
that Davis could not de tried by civil tribunal because he
in civil custody but held under military Law lie is not
under treason which civil oense bat charge
completely the assassination Of President Lnodn under
proclamation OF President johnson IL this may
shift the responsibility for his extraordinary detention without
trial but 1t does not change the fact render whit
Just fable n Davis Is held by military authority he
should be tried by military tribunal that Is prDcabei
should bs discharged from that custody
and handed the civil authorities 20
plant that be brought against him We cannot Imagine
possible difficulty in the way Of prompt action; and Ger
ainy nothing justify the imprisonment Of Da or any
other for Oug time without aLy serious attempt TO
bring bun TO trial lie not only entitled % speedy trial
In with every other criminal but the county Is en-
titled TO have him tried
We cannot help thinking that the Attorney General
readily fad way Of the deadlock which Ia. matter
has long remained As stands Il fleets credit
any department Of the GOyornmeBt"