The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1866-07-28
Was Jefferson Davis Implicated in the
Assassination

THE judiciary Committee of the House of Repre-
seDtatives presented their report yesterday in
regard to the completely of JEFFERSON DAVIS IN
the plot to asaassinate President LINCOLN. The
report is extremely voIumnous, and treats of
number of subjects entirely irrelevant to the
matter under consideration, extending to the
treatment of Union prisoners, the conduct of
CLAY, TUCKER, and Others to free Confederate
prisoners, and all topics in which the Rebels
violated the laws of nations or OF Christianity.
We have read the entire report and confess
that, while ii proves that the conduct of the
leading traitors was in opposition to the
dictates of humanity, yet, at the same time
1t fails utterly to give any legal proof thai
JEFFERSON DAVIS assisted or knew of the
plot to remove the President of the United
States by the bullet OF murderer. We do not
propose to look at that portion of the document
which relates to any other charge than that of
the assassination, and this will cut off all except
the close of the document.
II would seem that the Rebels in Canada were
ready to "pause at nothing to aid the cause"
and there seems to be evidence that Mr.. CLAY
and others we're in possession of the fact that an
attempt was to be made, and that BoorH was to
make it. The entry made on the official record
of the Rebel War Department in reference 70
physicians pay. and Immediately following 1t a
reference 10 DR.. j. w. BooTH, makes II probable
that the physicians fund was partially, at least
paid to the murderer to keep him in the employ
of the Contederacy. 1t might follow. by inter-
-ence, that the President of the Confederacy was
aware OF the intention, but in case of life
and death, an inference can hardly be considered
as evidence.
In regard to the idea having been entertained
by DAVIS, there can be no doubt. We have
given us No less than three letters. each pro.
posing to rid the South OF its leading enemies
some by a species of internal machine, another
by MYSTERIOUS agency name not given, while a
gigantic gunpowder plot was to send the bodies
into the air, and the souls to heaven, of all our
leading Legislators. DAVIS, it seems, entertained
these propositions, and did not oppose them, or,
at least, his endorsement does not give us any
clue to an opposition. The formal stereotyped
phrases are used, and the communications are
respectfully referred to the honorable Secretary
of War. But, while there is no opposition, there
is also no approval limited at. reference
merely is ordered, and that without comment
What may have occurred In the private inter
view between the Cabinet and the Rebel chief
none can tell; but, certainly justice will not
allow us to hold him responsible when no &C.
count is given.
The most damaging testimony against DAVIS
is afforded by his speech in which he merely re.
marked on hearing of the attempted murder
"Well, General, l do not know; if 1t were to be
done at ALL it were better that it were we'll done;
and If the same had been done to ANDY JOHN.
SON, the beast, and Secretary STANTON, the Job
would then be complete" The Committee
naturally observe, "These are not the words of
a man who was either grieved or surprised, but
rather the unprecedented declaration ofonewho
realizes that a crime which he anticipated had
been committed but IN part only, al a moment
too late 10 save cause already rendered despe
rate by the conflicts and disasters of war;"
From his own confession that it was doubtful
whether it was not best, and the complete
GOODNESS displayed in the receipt of such
astonishing intelligence, it may be inferred that
he was at least cognizant that attempts were to
be made, even If not aware of the special day on
which the effort was to be consummated. But,
as we have before remarked, it is merely an
inference. .... ....
We must hence conclude that, so far as the
Committee is concerned, they have not sue.
ceeded in throwing any new light upon the
subject, but that, in fact they have rather con-
fouding the evidence heretofore given. 1t will be
remembered that number of witnesses filed
affidavit5 in the War Department purporting to
repeat the conversation held in Richmond
between DAVIS, BENJAMIN, and JOHN H. SUR
RAFT, and that the affidavits agreed in all sub
stantial particulars. The Committee, in search
of further information, summoned these meI
before them but IN asking for bread they were
given a stone These witnesses frankly con
fessed that they had periured themselves, thai
not word was true that they had sworn to
and that all their declarat were utterly false
The Committee are naturally in a dilemma
unable to decide whether the falsehood was il
the first or iu the revised testimony. However
it is matter OF small legal consequence, as
is simply absurd to place any reliance on an!
statement of men who are Wiling TO brand them
selves as perjurers. Such evidence is received
at zero, and count for nothing on trial..
We are, therefore, compelled to conclude that
so far as legal evidence heretofore adduced i
concerned Mr.. JEFFERSON DAVIS was not mpl
Gated in the plot OF assassination. We believ
him sufficiently bad to Join in any such scheme
but that he was engaged is not proven, and i
common law no man is required to prove hin
self innocant. The Committee, however Civ
vent TO the following significant sentence
which leads us to hope that what is now dar
may be thoroughly revealcd:--
"The evidence in possession of the Committe
connecting JEFFERSON DAVIS with the assassin;
ton of President LINCOLN iush6es the Commi