Brownlow's Knoxville Whig. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1866-1869, 1867-05-08
The Surratt Mystery.

A dispatch from Washington TO the Herald saws
1t is the opinion of persons high in authority
and Influence here, that the trial Of John II. Sur.
raft will be ultimately abandoned. The impression
is that there is q general conviction prevailing in
official quarters that the unfortunate Mrs Surrat,
was not guilty of the crime for which she was exc
eGted, and that the trial of her son would only re-
suit in more clearly establishing that fact Such
development, Of course would not be reished DIV
the Administration and others concerned in the
trial and condemnation of the mother There is
another cause however not very creditable as
signed why the President would not wish the trial
TO occur; bat, it would cast deep slur ueon the
reputation of one who lately has not been sseping
on bed Of roses, ] refrain from giving il publicity
1t might only be creating another sensation and
perhaps without justification, for the qualification
Of scandal mongers. However this NAV be Il is
not believed that the evidence in possession of the
Government will warrant the trial of John Fl
Surrattn
We think It time to say that the many mysteries
surrounding this Surratt case should cease Since
the assassination of President Lincoln we have had
endless surmises, and makeshifts and tricks in ref
erence to the crime and those accused In the first
place. we had the Government proclamations accus-
ing Davis and Sanders, and Thompson of the assas-
sination. Then we had the trials, in which thess
persons were solemnly aTraigned IS participants in
that crime There are few things that our children
will less care 10 read than that selfsame trial with
its Maynard and rude Justice. Then came thesyift
execution Of Mrs. Surratt although Payne an as
sassn by has own confession asserted her innocence
We had the escape Of Surratt-his wsnderings IN
der Government espionage-the fact that it was
known where he was, and no effort made 20 arrest
him until Mr.. Boutwell, speaking the public opin-
ion of the nation compelled bis arrest We have
also had the imprisonment of Davis as an assassin
If there is any valne in the Judgment ofthe Com
mission that tried Payne and his companions. His
continued imprisonment without trial or the pre-
tense Of trial, is ia itself mystery and shame.
Then came General Buffers famous speech showing
that the diary of Boothe had been suppressed on the
conspiracy trial, and the declaration Of q great
lawyer that Mrs, surratt had been innocenty hang
ed. Immediately came announcement that the
War Department would print the Boothe diary SO
soon as something OF other occurred. Weil--time
enough has passed for twenty things 20 happen and
nothing IS heard Of the Boothe diary Finally.
we have the most provoking delays about the trial
OF SGrrstt with announcement that he is not TO
be tried because the trial might establish the fact
that Mrs. Surrstt was not guilty at all
1t is time that this juggling should cease; and
especially the S1rratt case Is only a part Of the
juggling that has been permitted since the death Of
hr. Lincoln. That tragedy is one of the most mys-
ferrous IN TIE annals OF crime. There is something
hidden that we crave to know. What il Is we can
not say but the records Of the trial the continued
imprisonment of Mr.. Davis, and especially the
shumihg OF the Government, compel distrust and
sespieion Why has aot Boobies diary been pnb-
nsheo Why is George y Sanders not demanded
, ,sSaH me british Government II The Administra-
-. teAt's believes he partner in ths crime
OF Booths Why is no, Davis either r,,nts4d -
releA ID And Why Is not ohm H surratt as.sinst
whom al least all the evidence we have r,oirfs
erringiy brought TO justice