The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1867-05-22

- SAAEA AEOl
Reasons for Bee ming one of JeT'H
BOndsmen.
No amount of personal defamation
could induce me to offer any defense of
my agency in procuring the release Of
Jefferson Davis from an Imprisonment
Theoretically lawless and practically
mischievouS. Nine-tenthS of those now
loudest in condemning that release are
! heartily glad OF 1t, and only affect the
contrary because they thereby crafty
a spite, or hope TO advance their own
fortunes at the expense of some one
else. If they could have Davis back in
Fortress Monroe this hour by simply
wishing 1t, they would not.
Those who assail Chief Justice Chase
for not trying Davis ought to be aware
of Judge Underwood's testimony be,
fore the Reconstruction Committee of
| the last Congress, that Davis could not
be convicted OF treason any where in
| Virginia unless by packing jury for
the purpose. II such be the fact, can
the Chief Justice or the Circuit Judge
be wisely blamed for not exposing the
Government to a defeat on such an
issue? What good end would have
been subserved by such result2 Re-
member that Chief Justice Marshall
settled the law lin Aaron Burr's casel
that the accused can only be tried in
| the judicial district where his Otfense
was com united.
| Some journals have asserted that
| went to Richmond to labor with Judge
Underwood in the premises! That up
right jurist needs no defense from such
an Implication; but may say that 1
never yet spoke to a judge with refer
ence to a case on which he was to act !;
| Sh nF1
such an impropriety with Judge I'm
| derwood. l.l.f f'#i '---' .7
1t is not true, though frequently as
serted, that the Chief Justice has
| shrunk from trying persons charged
with treason. There were several trea-
son cases on the calendar when he held
circuit in Baltimore last year; he was
ready to try them, but the Government
was not and they were put over by the
District Attorney. I do not know why
this was do know the fact.
| Several Republican journals have as
serted that I "thrust myself into" this
matter-that sought the distinction,
! &c. Nothing like this is true. I went
to Richmond and signed the bond,
| simply because the leading counsel for
the prisoner deemed it important. 1t
any other name would have answered
as well. they would not have preferred
!
| Ten Millions OF Dollars, all of it by men
who were worth double the amount
| for which they became responsible, and
| each of whom would have esteemed
signing the bond a privilege. But the
counsel believed 1t eminently desirable
that they should present some North
ern names, of men who had been con-
| spicuouS opponents of the rebellion;
perhaps because the application to ad-
! mi 10 hot yHyN111S ~ hn OF
Ously resisted. know nothing of their
reasons; l only know that they would
| not have required me to face this deluge
of mud if they had not believed it ne
cessary.
Ifthere be any who seriously deem
the proffer of bail by Republicans un-
wise or ofticious, ask them 10 weigh
we'll the following extracts:
The Richmond Wing says:
"The generous course pursued toward
Mr.. Davis yesterday was one of the
most effective reconstruction steps yet
taken. 1t was indeed stride in that
direction. But the legal action that
was taken was not all that we feel call
ed upon to notice. The action was ac-
companied and embellished by circum-
stances of courtesy and cordial gener-
Osity from Northern and Republican
| gentlemen OF distinction and influence,
which will go far to commend them to
! the grateful consideration of the South.
They Joined our own Virginians in
both bail-bonds and congratulations.
In so doing, they illustrated their mag
nauimity, and in one moment leveled
barriers that might otherwise have re-
mained for years. The effect of yester-
days work will be felt and shown
throughout the South-or we much
mistake Southern character. Let US
all show that Northern generosity is
the true avenue to Southern friendship.
We repeat, great stride was yesterday
taken in the line of reconstruction"
The Lynchburg Virginian, after Civ
ing thanks to the Northern Republican
boudsmen, says:
1.-The South will breathe freer, and
feel that nightmare has been lifted
from its heaving breast. An obstacle
in the way of reconstruction has been
broken down; and the Federal Court at
Richmond did more yesterday toward
healing the wounds of the nation and
restoring good will and harmony than
has ever been done before. We hail the
event as an auspicious one, fraught
with good, and recognize the present as
| a fortunate time for both sections Ofthe
Union to set out with new purpose 10
bury their animosities and meet to-
gether on a common ground Of justice,
peace, and fraternity. No one, we are
sure, would do more to bring about
such result, or more rejoice at it, than
he who was yesterday restored to the
free air of heaven from the confines of
his long incarceration"
The Baltimore Sun has letter from
Richmond, which says that, upon the
release of Davis,
"The habitual self.control was for a
moment lost, and the tide of pent-up
emotion poured forth in shouts of joy
and thanksgiving. Colored men and
whites united their huzZas, and where.
ever the news spread the countenauces
} of men, long clouded by settled des-
pOndency and apprehension, were lii
J up as II by Il sudden burst of sunlight
The effect of his release in all parts OF
the State has been not only cheering
. and exhilarating, but it has done more
to promote good feeling, real cordiality
toward the North and toward the-Gov'
: ernment, than any event which has Oc,
Cured since the close of the war.
have not seen till now any reason tC
} believe that the South would, for years
do more than accept the situation, anC
content herself with perfnnctory per.
J fOrmance of the obligations she has as
sumed; but the release of MIR. Davis
i has touched the Southern heart, and
believe that 1t is at this moment beating
/ strong to the old music of nationality
and brotherly love. The appearance
in court of Mr.. Horace Greeley and
> Mr.. Gerrit Smith, and their noble in,
/ terposition in behalf of Mr.. Davis, have
, had peculiar influence in bringing
about this happy result. Our people
look upon them as representative
/ Northern, men, and the hand thus
/ stretched out to them they have grasped
warmly. This time it is no dramatic
grasp, but palpably honest, and
prompted by full hearts," -.E
This must suffice for the present. My