The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1867-05-22
THE RELEASE OF MR. DAVIS.

We feel assured that Jhe readers of this journal
will be gratiied to peruse the lengthy account of
the proceedings relative to the release from cap
Fivty of theHon. JgIFERsoN DAVIS, .mhichis is given
in this issue. Everything connected with the lmprl
sonment of that eminent gentleman has heretofore
awakened an abiding interest among the people
whom lie led through the fiery ordeal OF an uh-
successful revolution. The sckcning details Oh
torture experienced during the earlier days OIL his
Incarceration the tardy movements inaugurate9
to bring him before tribunal OF justice the
frivolous by-play apparent between the executive
and Legislative departments OF the government,
each cndeavoring TO tasten the responsibility OF
his immurement, upon the other; the generous
disposition Of lifelong political enemies to render
assistance in On effort to obtain for him o.. speedy
trial; the courteous bearing of officers and SOL
diers in whose charge he was committed during
the past twelve months or morc-thesa things
have all been carefully observed by the men and
women accustomed 10 venerate his name and
render homage to the intellectual capacity and
noble mien of JEFFERSON DXvIs And now that
they have heard with delight that the days Of his
captivity are over, and that prison gates no longer
couine his feeble frame, there will ascend from
thousands of hearts an earnest prayer of thank
fulness for his deliverance and .nvocations to the
Supreme Ruler for blessings and prosperity in tho
! future So mote it be.
Tie imprisonment of Mr.. DAVIS affords abun-
danr food for thought and reflection. As the lead
er Of eight millions of people, the civilized world
bcheld his capture and detention. with feelings OF
unmingled regret and censure. Regardless OF
their prcjudiccs for against the effort, to secure
independence other nations than this only perceiv-
ed the fact that the imputed sins Of the people were
being punished in The person.of this llustrious
prisoner. And the conquered themselves felt the
full force and virtue of this opinion, So long as
their chosen head remained in durance vile, and
I while the weary days of his captivity were pro-
longed for unworthy motives, they could not cast
aside their predictions, and heartily enter upon
the work Of restoration to the fold from whence
they had voluntarily fed But what were it 9th
erwise If the person of our distinguished rep
resenrativc statesman had been unrnolcsted and
/! he had been permitted to remain quietly in the
land Of his BIRTH left to seek exile in foreign
countries the chords of our hearts would never
have been touched with increasing affection for
him who suffered the degradation of an entire peo-
Pile. Neither would the generosity and magma
ninity of thousands, who were lately our enemies,
have found an opportunity to be:ome manifest, as
has been instanced throughout the dreary months
and years since JEFFERSON DAVIS wos confined in
the grim old fortress. Yes, The Southern people
are aware now that the clamor and distrust ex-
hibited towards their chicftain during the war had
an origin in jealousies and. prejulices, and they
| have become convinced that his course was dicta-
ted by an honest heart, albeit the ability aud ef-
forts of their leader proved unsuccessful. His
name too. will descend to posteriiy with bright
erhao of renown, since the story. of his capture
will accompany the narrative of our brief history
as a separate people. Upon these considerations
if no other, can we congratulate the people that
Time brings TO our view the evidence that much
| good may proceed out of apparent evil; and
while we may have justly regarded the imprison
ment of Mr.. DAVIS rs wrong and oppressive, since
he was the nero instrument employed to further
our wishes, his release brings the double consoa-
| ton that not alone in the South is his name re-
garded with rcverential feeling, hut the civilized
world rejoices with US in the intelligence of lis
! freedom.