Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1867-08-15


We put aside much other matter this
morning, to make room for the report Of
the Acting Attorney General, that Will
startle the people Of the country, if any
thing short Of an earthquake can do it.
Months ago, SANFORD CONovER, alias
CHARLES A. DUNHAM, who had been
hired and paid by the Bureau Of Military
Justice 20 procure testimony to convict
innocent men OF completely in sssassina-
ton, was c0nricted Of subOrnation Of
perjury, upon a fair trial, before the same
Court that has lately tried to convict
JOHN II. SURRATT, in the District Of Co.
Iumbia. Only a few days since be was,
after an extraordinary delay, incarcerat-
ed in pursuance Of the sentence rem
,dered on the verdict of the Jury.
SURRATT's trial, also, was delayed for
q long time. ASHLEY Of Ohio, the ma
Hgner Of the President on the floor Of the
House Of Representatives, had frequent
and private interviews with CONOVEE or
DUEHAM, and men wondered how a
convicted subOrner Of perjury, himself
perjured, the NEST artful and expe-
rienced peuurer of the age, VIGOROUSLY
such, then in jail awaiting sentence as
such" came to constantly and pub
iictly receive the cOuntenaDce and SYM
pathy OF members Of Congress and Of the
Judiciary Committee" "He has held
his levees all summer in prison." says
the National EateHigencer, from which
we make these quotations, " and one Of
the counsel in the SURRATT trial,-he
that says he had the principal manage
ment Of the preparation Of the case,
certified that DUNHAM was his coun-
s~ell0r." His services, HoLT says, we're
performed without solicitation, and IN
The Interests Of truth and justice" in
connection with the SURRATT trial.
Although In jail" RIDDLE, once a
member Of Congress, nov 8 lawyer in
Washington, says, che managed to
keep Informed Of the progress Of the case,
and from time 10 time communicated
important facts and suggestions " and
the Government Was under great obli-
cations to him for much valuable iufor-
nation"
Even before ASHLEY brutally charged,
and BUTLER limited, in the House, that
President JOHNSON was an accomplice
in the murder Of his predecessor, we ex-
pressed 10 these columns our belief that
an attempt wss being made to suborn
testimony to prove that charge. And
when The Secretary OF War permitted
UNDERWOOD 10 issue a writ Of Habeas
Corpus, that President DAVIS might be
brought into Court and released on bail,
we believed that this was done ia order
that the people Of the North might IN
derstand that the charge against him,
OF completely in the assassination, was
withdrawn, g. it had to be, when the
attempt to murder him with it had
failed, so that their suspicious might be
turned on President JOHNSON.
The IateUigencer says:
Is II not notorious that witnesses last
session were here, who were paraded
before men dishonest enough 10 practice
a guilty reserve, but honest enough to
shrink with indignation from taking part
in their s~ubornation ? Is il not known
that these members were willing to have
them brought up 10 swear, but that some
power withheld them for some contin-
gency? And what WAS that? Their
- counsellor on the Surratt trial says il
WAS because the bargain was bis release,
and then his men might testify. They
failed 10 get him cleared, for the district
N. - ~ -
50 failed at each step. Then, with IN
sDeskable diabolism, tbev contriyed
the plan for ~defrauding the presi-
dent out Of a pardon, aud with
this object StantOn's military magistrate
and a hitherto respectable member Of the
bar were not afraid or ashamed TO recon-
mend this wretch for that clemeney
through which be was TO become cara
bic and willing to work their plot. VIII
the conspiratOrs dare pretend that Dun
hams disclosure f. from an unclean
source, and, therefore, incredible? From
what source did Riddle get his "valua-
ble information p" His valuable sug-
gestious ?"-not only in collecting Wit
nesses for his own use, but in acquiring a
knowledge OF those called for the de-
Tense ~ Durham was credible 10 him
then, So credible that bis Information
AIU EAEE6EAAg4S ANAAA4CL q IAALA "a ANk Z
nifty 70 entitle the most dangerous per-
iurer OF history 10 forgiveness and en-
lRrgemenL
ASHLEY, Holt and RIDDLE have not
Withdrawn their applications for his par
don as a reward for his services ain the
interests Of truth and justice" They are
stil asking that he may be ~pardoned, 80
as to be competent to testify. They GER
tif7 that he is credible. Now he turns
on them, and how are theyto assail him ?
He Is their witness. They cannot i'm
peach him. He is their intimate friend
and associate. They were UeTy willing
70 use him against the President. He
was g most fitting and excellent instru-
ment 10 convict hina. Is it not just that
he should be believed when he exposes
Read the record. It is a hideous one.
do verify believe that DUNHAM
the truth, ia his letter to the Presi-
dent. The accomplish is competent to
testify against the Principal; and many
q one has turned " States Evidence " be-
fore SANFORD COHOyER. The true OBJ
Ieet OF the COMMITTEES on Impeachment
~