Daily Ohio statesman. [volume] (Columbus, Ohio) 1855-1870, 1867-05-22
The WAY Greelex Catches n.

The Neto York Euenihg Post, one of the
most loyal of the Eastern dailies-so loyal.
indeed, that the proprietor, Mr.. HENDER-
SON, is under an indictment for swindling
the Governments during, the war-thu
pitches into Mr.. GREELEY for signing bond
that JEFFERSON DAVIS will deliver himself
up for trial:
To Mr.. Greeley was accorded the proud,
satisfaction of putting his name at the head
of the list of bOndsmen. He doubtless
looks upon ft as the elimination of his long
Hcontin ued efforts in behalf of the rebellion
1t will compensate all his disappointments
in regard, to the payment tor the slaves, the
surrender of the South to the rebellion, the
peace negotiations Ia Canada, the perma.
nent recognition of the Government at
Richmond. He could mot do what he
would, but he has gladly done what he
could! he has at least preserved his con-
sistency to the end. If he could not COM
pass the overthrow of law by the force OF
the rebels, he has achieved its practical alb
rogation by the voluntary act of our own
officials. We will not rob him of his lau-
rels, nor anticipate the verdict of posterity
as to his merits. ls'usA 2a 81 al7e0 .iooa3
Mr.. GREELEY aided the Radicals much in
getting them rid -of-the elephant. They
dare not try DAVIS for treason, and GREE
LEY's suretyship offered the only means OF
extricating themselves from their dilemma
The Tribune thus retorts:
It was as a traitor, and not as an assassin.
| that Mr.. Davis, was held, aud as such he
should have been kept in Jail. But why
keep him in jaiI?' Treason is crime, and a
crime, according to Mr.. johnson, that
should be punished. There is a lawful way
Of furnishing men in this country. To
keep q man in prison without trial is a
violation of the law, not obedience to it,
Mr.. Davis may qhave committed many
crimes-so many, indeed, that, according
to- one bowling Pharisee, "itlis disgrace
and reproaeh to our country that he should
ever be permitted to desecrate with his
traitor footprints the soil of a free State"
But how do we know that he committed
crimes? There is but one way of know
ing 1.-THE verdict of twelve trusty men.
Because Mr.. Davis is criminal, must we
also be criminal? Because he is known to
have committed treason, must we also COM
NIT what is certainly moral treason to the
Constitution? 1t it is right to take Jeffer-
son Davis, citizen, and imprison him two
years without judge or jury, why not eiti-
Zen Thurlow Weed, or citizen William Gull
len Bryant? But it is popularly believed
that Mr.. Davis is a traitor, and that, as a
traitor, he should long ago have been
hanged. Well, it is also popularity believed
that if Mr.. Thurlow Weed had his deserts
he would long ago have been in Sing Sing.
We have no legal knowledge of the fact
Mr.. Weed has neverbeen arrested nor tried;
nor has even an Indictment been found.
He is at liberty, and so long as he is not
legally accused we shall insist that he re-
main at liberty, and, if necessary, we shall
find twenty bondsmen who will answer for
his security until tried. The principle is the
same, whether it applies to Davis or Weed,
or citizen Dermot, arrested for assault and
battery. The law has no prejudices-the
Constitution no I" popular" punishments.