The Montana post. [volume] (Virginia City, Montana Territory [i.e. Mont.]) 1864-1869, 1867-03-30
THE TRIAL OF DAVIS.


regard to Jefferson Davis, demanding
that he be placed upon trial for the
crimes with which he stands charged or
released from durance vile, will pass
with the people, and most probably in
Congress. The accused has demanded
an early trial at the hands Of his coun-
trymen, a right guaranteed by the Con
stitution when it says: "In all cases of
criminal prosecution, the accused shall
enjoy the right to a speedy and public
trial. For nearly two years, Davis has
been a captive. As a prisoner of war,
the Government can hold him for an
definite time, and we opine that he
himself preferred waiting until the bit
ter cup of sorrow which. he had been
chiefly instrumental in hohiing remorse-
lessly to the lips of his countrymen, had
passed away and passion had given
place to sober Judgment. He stands
charged with two enormous crimes
completely in the assassination of Lin
coin, and high treason. 1t may be pre-
mature to express an opinion in this
matter but we cannot forbear entering
our solemn belief that of the former he
is not guilty. Every impulse of our
heart, the teachings of childhood and
the experience of later years. are arrayed
in scorn, in hatred, and in extreme dis
dsin of traitors TO this, the best of gov
ernments. We believe that the next
duty that we owe to God is due to our
country, and he who will deliberately
conspire against and endeavor by force
Of arms or diplomatic intrigue to over
throw it, is lost to every noble prompt
ing of the heart. Fit for treason, STRAIT
agems and spoils," he is fit for murder
and assassination, and although in the
remembrance of our late rebellion a loyal
man cannot hold the enemy less account
able for the general crime, there were
pecHliarities in the case by which men
could, and no doubt did, take up arms
against the country from honest belief
and with an approving conscience. This
IS accounted for from the widely dissem
mated, but false and pernicious State:
Right doctrine. by which men were in
duced to believe that their allegiance
was due, first, to their particular State
and second, To the genera, government
as also the other fallacious dogma, tn,
Right of Secession. In the acceptanc,
oi these deceitful sophistries, and in tn,
hot blood of the South, tortured by polit
lcal defeat and fancied injuries, w,
know how many who had proven thei
devotion TO the Republic on many
nard fought field, and whose moral rec
atude was above suspicion, entered will
soul and body into the contest. So that
even admitting his position as leader o
the rebellion, the suggestion is still ad
missable that Davis was fully alive to
nigh sense of honor, and it is not probs
Die that he would stoop to completely i
crime that would add double infam
70 the most damning record. Itis bu
'nat charity which is" above al" {
grant JEFF Davis the advantage of thes
circumstances in considering the prob'
unity OF his completely in that hel
inspired crime. That he was accessor
70 the original scheme of kidnappin
resident Lincoln and carrying him int
me South as a prisoner of war. is poss
Ole, probable. Had it been accomplished
We believe that the rules of warfaT
would have justified the deed, under th
taclt acknowledgement of the South as
"eiilgerent power 1t might possibl
nave aided them in continuing the wa
a the time it was proposed, or at leas
Oeen coup dc etat for exultation- ii