The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1866-11-19
MIR. DA VIS.

The fate of Mr. DAVIS is still a subject of
anxious interest. 1t is not true, perhaps, that
he is dear to the South-so dear Mt least as he
would have been if our struggle had resulted
in success, or If he had fallen sooner from the
contest Success is the criterion of merit and
while it was yet doubtful whether he might not
ultimately have complied with this severe con-
dition, he would unquestonably have had a
stronger hold upon the Southern heart. AS it
is, that heart is charged with disappointment
for which he is the most attractiyc objecton
it is absorbed by sorrows which leave but little
play for sympathy with the Affections the
fate of others And but that his treatment is
regarded a common wrong-that the hrnlili-
ations visited upon him are transmitted to all
who have suffered in the fallen cause-his in
dividual experience would not more harrow
up the public feeling than does that of the very
many others who in other ways have participa-
| ted in the calamities of q common ruin.
As it is, however, that feeling is unquestion-
ably stirred. Men see in it, not an effort to vim
dicate the laws but to continue the infliction of
gratuitous indignities; and IN authority in this
country really solicit6us to restore its harmo-
ny would not persist in the continuance of
course in consistcnce with which its peace and
composure cannot possibly occur.
Why he is not discharged does not appear.
1t is not pretended now that he is chargeable
with completely in the assassination of Mr..
LINCOLN, or unwarrantable inlictions upon
prisoners of war The author of the only evil
dence against him, the miserable CoNovER, has
already been indicted for subornation of perjury
| And the kindliness Of Mr.. DAVIS nature, and
his inyincible fidelity to principle and the rules
:" I~~n-olln - ~ ,rnlI knnwn-have sn
constantly been exhibited in every period of
our contest-that there is perhaps no single
man, even in the delirium of party excitement
ut the North, who would risk his reputation for
sense or candor in the assertion that of either
offence he believes him to be guilty. And if for
| neither of these charges lie is held, he surely
! cannot be held for any other. His participation
in the wnr was not as great as that of hundreds
who have not been prosecuted. He was slow
| in the secession movement; thousands had par
| ticipated in the act before he became commit
! ted. 1t was fact accomplished before he left
his seat in Congress. lie came but to con cur
| in movement already consummated. He ocL
cupied position, conspicuous, it is true; but
| only position in government already consti-
tuted of all the forms and principles of law de-
| veloped in the history Of our country In this
position he acted only as others did in theirs
He never drew his sword in battle, and if lead
| ers of our armies through oil the stormy scenes
of that sanguinary conflict have not been held
| responsible for their participation, it must be
for reasons that present perfect defence to
any charge against him rs civil officer of the
government.
| That the Radical party of the North would
hold him, and as we'll without q ground of
| charge rs with it,, is perhaps beyond question !;
and that they would punish him, and all the
more readily, perhaps, that he may be shown
to have occn guiltlcss of any offence-for in
that there would be only more decisive exhi-
bition of their power. To punish criminals for
violations of admitted law is within the power
of any magistrate, but TO punish for no viola
ton Of admitted law is an achievement to which
no ordinary party can aspire, and for that rea-
son it is one which would be apt to be only the
most irresistibly attractive to them But il is
| in the power of the President to discharge him.
He can extend to him pardon as perfect rs he
can to others; it would be act grateful to the
better feelings of every section Of the country.
It would doubtless be grateful to his private
feelings. The relations between them when
both were members of the Senate were always
kind and respectful. There was o time when
Mr.. JOHNSON wns within the Jurisdiction of
Government of which Mr.. DAVIS was President,
and it is perhaps known to him that it was AT
tributable to tho better feeling and firmness of
Mr.. DAVIS only that he also was not tried for
! treason.
Then why should he acquiescc in the office
Of inflicting unmerited suffering on his illus
trious captive? Is it that the Radicals claim
the victim of which he cannot venture to defeat
them? 1t is not supposed to DO of his nature
to shrink from responsibility. But would the
weight of his responsibility be less than it
now is? Has he not acted in the face of this
party? Has he not rolled up its wrath against
him? Is there the hopeas that they will spare
him {, Or isit not only the more perfectly cer-
tain that they will try conclusions with him if