The New York herald., 1866-01-04
The Im Prlsonment OF Clement e. clay.
TO rHE EDITOR or tn. HERALD.

In the mosth OF Nav q reward offered by the
government for the apprehension Of c. c. Clay, OF Ala
bams. He might bavo escaped abroad like Toombs,
Benjamin and Breck nrdge; but he came forward and
surrendered his person 20 the officer commanding
Macon requesting early examination into the truth
hlsity Of the charges brought against him Mr. Clay
was moi arrested indictment OF treason because
holder OF high once. He not singled out a chief
tain OF the rebellion bear for his people the judicial
brand Of thai crime and make treason Infamous.
He not member OF the rebel Cabinet, com.
missioner to Europe officer In the rebel army
member OF the Confederate Congress for lie had been
time thrown out by the election Of Dick Walker
brother VI the immortal Pope He held no Office hut he
peace agent selected for his character dis.
ereon and judgment-ons Of The fcw respectable sp-
pontments said 10 have been made bv Davis Al hs
solicitation Clay Canada TO open communication
with those who favored peace, whether with General
Mcclellan. hoped vasndigham the batherskte or
the philosopher OF the Tribun, We sll thai he
did communicate aud that his negotiations all failed.
Blu, while Clay Canada set u crackbrained des
peradocs and Confederate rrran got UP rasaay raid
upon towns the border and made the 6endish
attempt "a burn New York oty. Ard clay the pence
agent charged with compcuv In this nnpeacefnl
plot and progrsmms.
The whole scheme stupid and damaging 90 The
so-eallcd coufodcracy " was low and malignant A.
plan Of hostiities ~ could not possibly influence the
result Of the wsr while initiated directly against any
peaceful settlement ~ the time II met tho reprobaiion
NJ oil men Of Intelligence throughout The Sonth rh5t
Clement G. Clay had any responsibility In Il or FOR II IA
supposiuop not only Incompatible with the bus1ness
which carried HIM 10 Canada but Al variance with The
mans whole ilfs and character The world Is .hrest N
~ cbs~rvscns end ~ not possble ~ figure puiie
Ahairs aud be unknown. NJ Clay ions seIstor
from uabas At washnston. aud y not dinicult 70 as
certain his antecsdcns and status He vas secession
let. trained Ia the school of Jefferson touching the con
stIuton Rot hs roputed 10 general matter person
likely 70 engage In crazy aud centemptbls Atrocities
Never sn nirguer nor wire pnller, man marked fof
purity of life and msnncsa NJ conduct, universally
BHecied the ouIb thes q nothing 10 record
warrant . suspicion thai he could he ospsbie f any
sheme cf secret viiisny The fac, Of his prompt
sender and challenge Of investe color 10
the allegation OF crime The DELAY 10 examine ,bs mat,
Yer does not strengthen u probability
.shr Clay msn OF sii physique, Coz ytsrs sansref
! iron. shronc broncbuis Seven moushs he has been
soshoed within the walls OF rorfre-s Monrce vhou,
opportunity N v,ndcste himself Does our isw Judge
suy mao before u hear him Is punishment uius
ere asd dangerous u life coesst-n' Nth the great
principle OF EngIish Law, ths, every must be
PRESUMED 'nnocent unii proved guly' II such treat
meDt hamsnef II justf Isnexpsdieni, What hinder,
chy rom being psroled OF esIlod un'i his case - In
ygcA ..A .iemepev on the psrs o: the North the
fNqxstes Of the time For the 'r,nmrhsnt sod reoic
tnS 10 forgive is easy In the treatment Of 'be con
grsrsd and unhappy South halfway must only
fan But one OF two pcssb,y .urcesi The
North mus either gnore the rss snd seek 10 build NJ
rnios of frfendshp between tho sections cf II msst sr
terminate tho people Of the South and fepopuIse ths
Ands The latter 10 q policy bafbsroir. difficult snd
obscure n the nnai result IL you'd certainly Dash The
yesrS % Come me- I, Would probably dsu,orail,s and cor
rrpi the govern snd change its nature and ~
por.s Yor North and South then, there bat ons ne
n ssfsty-;he practice of justice and cemency The
Prsdsn, baked by The BsG rh9 ssysd the vmou snd
psrsa. ,ss .'sssh, ,a3 Ss ssao- path Z ssSss !1,ss