The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1867-06-06
SPECIAL CORRESPONDENCE Of TINE HERALD.

WASHINGTON, June q 1901.
Poop Behind the Curtain.
The contemplated trial Of Surrat attracts c0nsdera
bic share Of public attention. and the interest therein
becoming moro and moro profound, the, day ap
pointed or tho event approaches Bat this interest
not Of the character which murder trials and trials
vovtng human life usually and naturally awaken: nor
does arise out os partsanship BY hostility on
the one hand and sympathy the other towards the
accused for the late enemies Of the Union and Of Lin
coln not less than their friends despse detsst Sur
raft for his and mascidal oonduc In abandon.
ing his mother and would not regret ssverest
punishment that could bs devised inniotsd upon him.
But the Interest chiefly arises and lies In the facts
which ere beIag gradually developed and understood
that the aim Of those who managing tho
prosecution y not 70 convict surratt with .
view OF causing him 70 expiats his crime
the galows but IN order that they may after his
conviction, BY Offering him immunity. which can be se-
Cured BY cot Of Congress- obtain from him disclosures
and facts duplicating JeG Davis In. tho Assassination
which II IL confidently believed tho sbect coward would
readily give his LIE On the other hand the
counsel for Surratt not defending him simply for
their fecs from desire T. his aoQuitls on his
Alone but rather 70 protect and certain
more distinguished friends and cllonts who stand
N tAs hack ground, whom thoy apprehend The
cowardiy surrats would, ooavictcd TO save himself
ing the prosecuten have beard Il from the lips Of
than Of the most distinguished Of their nnm-
bsr and certain that whssher they are correct or
not thsy firmly believe 10 the truth Of tho assertion
Nor DOES the assertion remarkable H. appear 70 DO
without some foupdaton
II 10 well known 70 few, including yovr corespou-
dent that overtures have been made to Surra To- tho
effect that he would disclose the names Of all who par
ticipaed In the assassination conspiracy. and tho part
taken BY each. which It believed would inpiicats Mr.
Davis mol pros would DO entered in his case and N
act passed by Congress relieving him Of legal respoa
siby on account OF his participation in the strocious
crme These overtures. IL 10 further known wero
made through Father Walters tho Catholic priest who
.soor ;n hss csI 4o s VINO day vsss ncr
when presented by Father Walters what advice, IL
any, was given by his reverence Is not positively known
conversations Of Surat with his SISTER which always
take place IN presence Of Of the keepers OF tho JAIL
and although conducted in an updcrione, can, IN the
main, be overheard II Is clear upon the information OF
one Of said keepers very intelligent and reliable man.
that the oopr Is by no means confident Of acquitta
and Is disposed TO listen 70 any propositions, the accep
tance whereof can him from afcion's doom.
On the 2sth ut the day after surratt brought
court for trial. he was visited by his sister, who found
him In detected and lachry nose condition, and TO
whom he complained as he also did later In the day 10
DR. Dubamol, Prison Physician, OF beng i'll His sister
observed 70 him that he should not allow tri1ing
delay referring 70 the pospouemcnt OF hts trail
affect him 80 screiy. especially as the prosecution, in
surrstt replied that not the delay he cared
about bat that he did hike the appearance Affairs
50 confident as they would have him believe
and that instead OF seong In tho failure OF
,ns sovernmen. " 90 ready ,a.,, sisn Of
careful preparation and dissemination TO heaven
and earth 70 secure his conviction. Miss Surrau
sponasd that he believed his counsel deceivng
him and feeding him fslse hopes, Il was
not too late for him 70 embrace the oppor-
tunity that had been offered him 10 himself and
wouId 4 no o A Tn Con Aoh
lev or General Duer. Surra nervousy rejoincd, .No
no-nct now" and after moments pause continued
II know not what 10 do, but you know, Annie, you
know very well that neither OF my counsel would In
they knew ! would DO convicted, give any less en-
friends don't care cent what becomes OF me 80 they
can cham my tongue" Before the interview closed
and request him 10 call possible and during
the afternoon OF the sane day the miserable was
visited alike BY his legal medical and spiritual advisers
But In quite manifest that neither the briefs Of the
lawyers the nosrums Of DOCTOR nor the PRAYERS OF
the priest have restored his confidence ghened his
nerves. or inspired him with resignation.
rumor has been extensively circulated that Surratt
never viii be tried and fow days ago Mr.. Merrck
Of the counsel for the accused made In open court q
remark which Ia confidently cited--by those t.yhose
wish is father 70 the thoushtn confirmation Of the
\ report. Mr.. Mcrrick IL appears requested by
brother lawyer to Ak the time for the trial OF certai
cause In tho Circuit Court, when he suggested day
three weeks distant Being reminded by his learned
defence Of surra, Mr. MerricE replied thar he would
not az the trial OF Surra would take place
can assure the public and my OF Information
cannot no surpassedths the trial OF Surratt will take
place, the boast of Mr. Merrick ITO the contrary
4 wlhstandingn And will venture 10 ASSURE the public
further, since II IL the belief OF all gentlemen here
posted In the case, that the remark OF Mr. Mcrrck
was not intended much for the edAcaton OF his hear
crs, as 70 revive the waning hopes OF his pussnmous
| Client whom the learned counsel has season
to apprehend inclined to squea in order to his
| neck. Merrick is . sound philosopher, well \
| shrswd lawyer and knew the report Of bis remark
through the newspaper which Surratt perses daily,
made Ia this casual but confident manner, would be bet
ter calculated BY thousand times 10 infuse hope and
courage In his md and desparng client than anything
he could possbly cay 70 him privately. when his pur
i pose would be understood
sarrait must NOT Be permitted 70 erposs hn patrons
and Accompiicss whoever they may be, and the only
way Of preventing him keep him assured that be y
MOI danger, aad vli BE- acquitted II he stands trial