The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1867-05-21

he last oil Inc great state prisoners who
were identified with the late Confederate
States, was released on yesterday on bail. and
there is scarcely probability that be will ev-
be arraigned upon an indictment for trea>
son. After two years confinement as pris~
oner OF war, ex. President Davis, within a
few hours after his rights as a citizen were re.
cognzed by q civil court, left that tribunal
virtually free man, and the accusation Of
treason remains mooted question for the
historians and law writer's Of future genera
tons.
1t is no exaggeration TO say that every
Christian nation is this morning rejoicing that
the long Imprisonment Of great and good
man is at last ended. Worn and broken by
confinement let US thank God that the
President Of the late Coniederacy returns 10
the world with honor unsullied and spirit I'M
broken by persecution. The ordeal was tiers
rible, but how nobly has he passed through It.
He has outlived the prejudices and fierce
passions enkindled by civil war. Caumny,
Misrepresentation, detraction and hate have
done their worst, and have died and been for.
gotten, leaving his fair fame without stain.
Ii may be that the sufierings which be has en-
dured with such heroism, were designed BY a
wise Providence for some great end. Wlth>
out them, as the leader Of lost cause his
tory might have failed to do justice to his
many great qualities Of head and heart, and
even the South have failed to render a Just
verdict upon his merits. Now, however, his
reputation is safe, and of the thousands that
once reviled him, the hate OF vile dogs like
Forney, only survives.
Although illegally immured in a military
prison, running the gauntlet of the brutality
Of one commsndant, and Of the generous
chivalric treatment OF another, it is better
that he should have endured and suffered As
he has done, than for him to have lived G
prosperous exile. Better, far better, as it 5
The people of ten great States now fee
that be has suffered and most nobly borne the
punishment OF their alleged offense The
feeling of pity which pervaded this city, on
Yesterday, was shared by the people Of every
State Of the late Confectionery. Women re-
turned thanks that their prayers for his de
liverance had been heard, and strong men
wept with pleasure at his release.
The maguanimity of the Government
would, undoubtedly, have been more grace,
full, had the discharge OF Mr.. Davis been un.
conditional; but virtually the great states
man has been discharged forever from the
charge Of treason,
FROM THE RICHMOND ENQUIRER.
We make no apology for devoting our issue
to-day, to the deeply interesting occurrences
of yesterday in the United States Court room
with the extremely gratifying result. Our
distinguished and beloved fellow citizen
Hon. Jefferson Davis is at liberty The
news will thrill with Joy every citizen Of the
Southern States, and every generous minded
man throughout the country and the civilized
world will share in the pleasurable emotion
The offense with which he is charged, was ar
act common TO the people Of eleven States
No superior Identification attached TO him
If he is guilty, 50 are we all, and equally So
Yet he has been made a special victim.
Thank God, the last political prisoner il
now free Yesterday was the brightest day
for reunion Of hearts and hands among the
people Of the several States. that has vel
dawned upon the country. The sun look ed
down in peculiar brightness, aud nature wore
its most approving smiles, while men were
bringing TO close the reign OF passion, and
restoring the supremacy Of the law
FROM THE RICHMOND DISPATCH.
The list of sureties to the bond of Mr. Da.
Wis will astonIsh and greatly interest the ma
ton. 1t will impress upon the public heart 6
moral Of great value to the country 1t is 9
surrender of preludices and animasiues in q
spirit of good will aud desire for the promo
ton of the general good. There were no two
men IN luis nhtlon Iurtner apart IN pOhtic'
than Mr.. Davis and Mr.. Greeley, yet there
is a platform on which they can stand side by
side; that on humanity, charity and patriot
ism. Though antipodes in the late destruc'
tivh WAT, they are now friends by the force o
tie s. thv Of honest hearts and the bes
impalse. OF onr natures.
We a4e a.. " this example the folly o
allowing our prejudices TO control our conduc
and our opinions, If there was man in thu
nation for whom the Southern people had
universal aversion, that man was Horae,
Greeley; but we find that he is possessed o
the gentlest disposition and the kindest heart
The resentments of Northern people hsv.
equally blinded them to the worth and vir,u'
Of Southern men, especially of Mr. Davis
when If they really knew and appreciated hin
there would not be q sentiment of bitterness
towards him in the broad limits Of the North
ern section of the Union