The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1867-05-16
comments of the Press upon the LII
,orpement of Mr.. Davis.


The time for his trial has been fixed for
the November term, but there are some
n,ho exnress the belief that the case will
never proceed any further. Ihat Is I'M
nrobable. however, for the Chief Justice
has expressed his readiness to conduct IT..
II is useless to speculate upon the result
of the trial, but il we may Judge from tne
easy terms upon which Davis secured ms
freedom. and the tender manner IN whlcn
he has latterly been treated by the Untea
States authorities, he would nave no u'iii-
Guilty in procuring policy IN reSpec'a-
bIe casualty insurance company. Inc &C
ton of Mr.. Greeley, who went on 10 h'ch-
mond for the first time since the summer
of IsGl, especially to offer his services as
boudsman, is characteristic OF the man.
Dnr;np the rebellion Mr.. Greeley used his
hest efforts in foiing the designs of Davis
and his followers, but now that the war IS
over he has no malice against the South
or AGAINST the leader of the rebellion.
strange. indeed, is the change when the
President of the late Southern Coniede-
rarv is indicted for treason in the late Con-
fadcrate capital, when he is bailed by the
editor of the Trijlme, and when he Is
likely to be tried for his life by jury with
a sprinkling of freedmen
From the Raleigh Progress.
The fact that Mr.. Davis has been re-
leased on bail will crafty every humane
man and woman within the precincts OF
civilization. We do not limit this gratlll-
cation TO the South. ReSentmentS on &C
count of the war, and all passion, is giving
Mace TO reason, and we shall not be greatly
astounded if Thad. Stevens fails to CEN
sure the court.
From the New York Tribune tRadicaD.
THE RELEASE OF JEFFERSON DAVIS.
Jefferson Davis has been released, and
it will suggest comment upon the past ac-
ton of the Government that his release
has been effected without the slightest
trouble. Between the military and the
civil authorities there was 40 conflict, no
hesitation on the part Of the Court In ad-
uniting him 10 bail, and no difficulty III
obtaining, even from his extreme oppo-
nents. the amount of bail required. All
that was necessary was the production Of
the prisoner in civil court OF the United
States. The rest followed as a matter OF
course. Thus easily has been solved one
Of the most veXatious questions which the
bluaders Of the Government have raised
since the close of the war and thus at
last We are relieved of the disgrace OF
keeping in confinement u man accused OIL
great crimes, for which We were afraid or
unable to try him.
All this might have been effected months
ago by a very little courage and good
sense. 1t was Is easy last summer as now.
To advance toward some difficulties Is 10
overcome them, and this is signal exam
pie. The Government had absolutely no
excuse for the long Imprisonment OF Jei-
ferSOn Davis, and its refusal to either re-
lease or try him. We affirmed this year
ago, and that we were right was proved
Yesterday when. after the brief remarks
Of the counsel and a few legal forms, MI
Davis was discharged by the cout'. on5
now at liberty to go where nc piea n', -, tha
not at the South alone, put equa a;jaS 90 y
North, his liberation VIII p0 ''" "
victory of common sense
From the New York Times 'hepuoi'.a"'
rur PEREZ. PRESIDENT RELEASED.
,,,a.,a Underwood has not insisted upon
hora;ng left. Davis without trlai' or even
many ssnanding him to Libby to await the
upon 49, ;ssne of the laws delay. Contra
- 80, 80 many predictions and some fears, he
nnrsued a decorous and sensible
na and Mr.. Davis is now at liberty
The whole proceeding appears to have
haan as quiet and as brief as the arraign-
,,ent of petty offender in police Office
The prisoner was transferred from militia
~ 70 civil custody the question OF bail
was raised and disposed of; and the man
who has been two years in confinement
awaiting trial, passed into the world again
with little more than nominal restraint
upon his freedom.
1.-two years have not Sufiiced to prepare
the case for trial, is it probable that DAVIS
will ever be arraigned? We think not.
He is bound over TO appear for trial, but
beyond the formality of bail, the prevail
ing impression is that his case is even now
ended, The idea of convicting and pun
fishing him is no longer entertained in any
quarter; and though more straightfor-
ward method of diSposing of him might
have better comported with national dig.
nifty, perhaps the course pursued is really
the only one which circumstances have
rendered possible. The injustice OF length
eped Imprisonment without trial has indeed
been perpetrated, but as set-of 1t must
be remembered that passions which at an
forts Of mercy are now happily aliayed, as
the liberation of Davis eftectually proves.
There may have been hardness in setting
the machinery Of Justice in motion, but
there has certainly been no vindictiveness,
and for months past no harshness.
Another from the New York Times.
Everybody knows that Horace Gree
ley Is nothing if not benevolent: but
everybody is good deal puzzled to ac-
count for his bensvolence taking this mar
ticular direction. 1t cannot be sunnoSed
that the case Of the rebel ex -Presida, ~
had any special claims on him as a friend
Of the poor and friendless; for Mr.. Davis
is by no means destitute either of friend
or money. He could not have feared tina,
he would be consigned TO Libby Prison
for lack of bail, for there were a number
Of southern gentlemen at hand quite will
Ing to give security for his appearance
when wanted for trial. For some reason
or other the case OF Davis has for long
time hsd special fascination for Mr.. Gree.
icy. lie has made several visits to Wash
lhgtoh' ana Is reported to have had seye.
Iai interviews with the President, for the