American citizen. [volume] (Butler, Butler County, Pa.) 1863-1872, 1867-11-20
THE CASE OF MIR. DAVIS.

THE CASE OF MIR. DAVIS.
We bespeak careful reading Of the
following article from the PhtsbWyt
| Gazette. If the ideas herein set forth
should be true, it will make little differ
ence to Rebels, and their Conservative
brethren of the North, so far as the re.
construction of the Southern States is
concerned. If Davis is convicted of trea
son-as every loyal man believes he
should be-then he must suffer the pen
atty. If he should be acquitted of trea-
son, then-as is truly remarked by the
Gazette the conclusion is inevitable that
the Government has an undoubted legal
right to reconstruct the Rebel States on
such basis as it shall judge TO comport
with the public safety, and with equal
liberty of all classes Of citizens" Tax
ing either horn Of the dilemma, recon
struction by the law making power of the
Government, must and will succeed.
The United States District Court is in
session at Richmond, and Chief Justice
Chase is there. But this Is only an adjourn
ed session OF the last term. The next term
will commence on the 25th inst, and before
1t shall end the case of Mr. jefferson Davis
will be called. Mr.. Chase has already an-
nOuuced that he can remain way from
Washington for II few days and no more,
owing to the regular meeting OF the Supreme
Court.
There is no probability that Mr.. Davis
will appear for trial ut this adjourned ses.
siou. II he should appear, and the trial
should proceed there is scarcely possibil>
ity 1t cuuId he concluded holore the new
term would necessarily begin. ...
An expectation prevails pretty generally
that Mr.. Davis will be present in Court when
his cuse shall he called. The opinion Is
abnut ns prevalent that lie will not be CON
victel Slngularly enough this belief is
enter aimed st firmly by many of the Con
servntives whp we're ioudest III denuuciulIou
of his admission toshal. ! he men who hate
| rud,caIi>m who maintain hat purtlcipa, on
| IN he reh- lliun,no mater how prominently,
did not legally eutlii fO.ieitures ur penal.
ties, or. # It did, that il Is most rmpolirio TO
enfnrce them discovered reas ns why hey
allow NJ bail, but a, cerIain individuals for
becoming b ndmen. They were. only uct
ing part, AMI The conclusion of the d. ANA
may not be it all 10 their liking.
If MIR. Davis shah be aquitled it will not
be tor want Ut eiidenre showing that he was
concerned in the rebellion, ard committed
trea. on against the government but be-
cause OF admission, either in word or at,
by the national government, and rulings OF
the judges thereupon. II Mr.. Davis shall
escape punishment III this way5 it will he OF
consequence TO nute how far the rulings go.
in their necessary and envirahle applications
to Justify the assumption OF tue radicals thut
the revoted StsteS are conquered prOyin
ces, and NAV r ghtiulIy be dealt with ns
sue h 1t would seem TO require an expo
sitiun OF law, going to this full extent, to en-
able MIR. Davis is to escape conviction. If
he proceeds 10 trial at all, il is fair to infer
that this will be, in essence, his line of de.
fensc and we presume the Judges, whoever
they may be. will admit its validity. After
wards it will be different to avoid all other
applications IF the same principles.
II in consequence of the law being.ns this
statement implies. Mr.. Davis shall escape
the punishment his crimes invoke, it will be
snme consolation to have his acquittal esta b.
lish the cUnclu lusion that the government has
an uraloubted legal right to reconstruct the
rebel States on such n basis as it shall
Judge TO comport with the public salty, and
with equal liberty of all classes of citizens
THE activity OF General Grant, in re-
ducing the expenses of the War Depart>
ment, and the many radical reforms he