The national Republican. [volume] (Washington City [D.C.]) 1866-1870, 1867-03-28
WHY JEFF. Davis HAS NOT BEEN
TRIED.

TRIED.
The people Of the North, at large, are
asking why JEFr. DAVIS has not been tried
for his crimes, and radical politicians, in and
ont Of Congress, have chosen to allege or in.
sinuate that the blame for this apparent
neglect rests with The President From
respect to the judiciary as well as what are
usually termed reasons Of State" we have
hitherto refrained from writing anything
upon this subject. We are not insensible Of
the difficulties by which this matter is sur
rounded, land they are almost as numerous
as the birds Of the air or fishes Of the sea-
Nevertheless, the high character Of modern
civilization in this hemisphere, every notion
we ever had or have Of Magma Charta, or Of
constitutional law, and every idea Of political
expediency as well "a justice, impress us with
the belief that the greatest offender against
the laws Of any nation has the right to be
tried and convicted or acquitted by jury
OF his peers.
WILLIAM LLOYD GARRISON Of Boston, GER
RIT SMITH of Peterboro, and HORACE GREE
LEY Of the New York Tribune, have RECALLED
and perhaps corrupted the public mind with
the idea that JKFT. DAVIS is not guilty Of
treason under the Constitution and laws.
The marrow and drift Of the latest reyela-
tons respecting the assassination tragedy are
that DAVIS did not give his assent to assas-
sindtion, but only to the proposal for cap
turing President LINCOLN, his Cabinet, Vice
President JOHNSON, and General GRANT, and
of holding them as hostages. Everybody
has had his say on these subjects; a very
considerable time has elapsed JOHN II
SuRRArr has been brought home and turned
over to the authorities, and yet nothing ha
been done towards, or even looking towards
the trial Of JEFF. DAVIS. The PREsIDES
has failed to get the Circuit Judge into me
ton Congress has hitherto declined to try
So that we have the singular fact staring u
in the face to-day Of Chief Justice Of tn
United States who is, by virtue Of his offict
Circuit Judge as well, and the only Circui
Judge who has jurisdiction Of the nisi priu
part Of this matter, neglecting to hold an
Circuit Court in his district. And is it nc
as astounding as it is singularH Who wi
answerH
Chief Justice CHASE is understood to b
the Northwestern candidate for the mex
President. He is supposed to be the specir
favorite of Ohio. What can Judge BNoHAl
or any other Ohio Representative or Senate
say in defence Of their candidate for thi
dereliction Of dutyH Do they justify tn
Chief Justice in this apparent course Of in
action, whilst they seek the slightest prete xt
to find fault with every member Of tn
Executive Department? Will not some boil
member of Congress inquire into this matter
Why, we desire to know-why does not Chic
Justice CHASE endeavor, at least, to hold
circuit court in the district for which he wa
appointed2 Is it to avoid the responsible
of trying JEFF. DAVIS?
1t has been the opinion Of the best lawyer
in the country that JEFFERSON DAVIS is guilt
Of treason. We all know that he has been
great offender against the Government; br
as he was not killed in the war he is certainl
entitled to be tried by a court, or release
from prison. Every idea Of Christian civil
cation is repugnant to the notion of leavin
him las some say "to rot in prison" Til
keeping him there unaccused and untrie
for any offence has too much Of the Basti
and Castle Moro about it to suit US; and v
know very well that it does not suit the pc
pie at large any better than it suits u.s. 1t
high time that some action was had in tn
matter.
Chief Justice CHASE, as long ago as O
tober, 1865, expressed the opinion that Co
gress should provide some way for the tri
of JEFF. DAVIS. II this be so, then why do
not Congress attend to this business befo
it adjourns? If the venue needs to be change
why does not Congress, which claims to
almost omnipotent in such matters, cham
it to Indiana or Ohio or Pennsylvania wheI
JEFF, DAvIs's army ranged, and whittier
carried overt acts of his treason, if he /
guilty at all, and where, if anywhere, 6
an impartial jury may be had Ifthis mo
ter does not need the prompt attention
Congress nothing does. Who will move
the matter, and thus pave the way for Il
Chief Justice to try the arch traitor?