The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1867-10-05


RICHMOND, Va, Oct. Though the Circuit
Court is in session here, and many cases of vast
Importance are to be tried, and though politi-
cal matters involving the graveSt interests of
the State daily Transporting, still the anxious
and all l-pervading topic Of the day is the Davis
trial.
This is discussed with an eagerness and n
fervor that plainly indicate the feeling and SEN
timent here in relation to the great national
tIial-than which that Of Booth, the national
assassin, and the other conspirators, including
John h. Surratt, sinks into comparative in.
significance. The speculaJionS and probable re.
suits INDUCED IN would be too tedious TO re-
late; and as they are no more nor less than the
anxtettes, hopes, and fears of misguided and
unfortunately misled people. would be scarcely
worth perusal by your readers.
The main points, however, may be of interest
Many are foolish enough to suppose that Davis
will never be brought to trial; others indulge
the expectation of his release by special par
don from the President, while numbers think
the Rebel chief never intended to place himself
at the bar OF injured and insulted justice to
answer the important national charges that
VIII be brought against him. Another class
there is that say JEFF. Davis is safe in Canada
under the protecting folds of the British flag,
Rebels whose lives are forfeited by their
treason.
the order of Bolts and others who were neutral
during the war, rather think the Rebel chiet
will slip his straw bail and leave his volunteer
bondsmen TO foot the bill of his recogntzance to
Uncle SAM Indeed, some go so far as to assert
that arrangements have been already made
and contracts entered in to to place JEFF beyond
the reach ofloyal hands VINO may bring him to
Justice, or aspiring volunteer friends who might
possibly, in strait, shield him from the
rigorous demands of an indignant people.
These are all, however, mere speculattons.
according to the feelings passions or preJudices
OF the parties expressing them, and have no
other foundation whatever, The question, as
telegraphed you, OF his trial, has been definitely
will Ii be satisfied. Wheher this trial wv will be-
farce or whether IL will be merely renewal of
the straw bail or even whether the arch-traitor
will be convicted and sentenced AS his crimes
demand, are all questions that time and events
must decide
One thing is settled aud certain, that Davis
will arrive in this city. the former seat of his
temporary government, on November !; he will
take the Identical rooms at the SpottsWood
Hotel previously occupie bv him, Nos l2l and
l22-the same afterwards occupied by General
Grant and subsequently by no less parsonage
than Andrew johnson. with VIM. ii, Seward,
WI hich is quite a remarkable coincidence. both
being Presidents under remarkable and pecu.
liar circumstances.
the trial take place? This must be decided by
Chief Justice Chase, VINO will also probably be
a guest of the Spottswood, for he mas expressed
his intention of presiding at the national trial.
Now the fall term of the November Court COM
mences here on the LIST. The Chief Justice VIII
be here: he will open the Court; Davis will be
present: the case will be Called counsel for de-
tense viii demand trial the Government, under
Instructions will plead not ready; counsel will
steadily plead for trial, and, unless the Chief
Justice rules differently, aolte prosequt will be
entered and obtained or the hnal discharge OF
the national prisoner will be effected.
This ends the speculation on this grave and
national SuDJecC ana In6 WnOle resolves lJSelt
simply into the question:-Has Chase the moral
courage to try Davis, or will he endeaVor to
make capital for the next Presidency byreleas-
ing the national prisoner on his straw bail or
effectually discharge him on the aOlle prOsequi
that will be entered by his counsel? Here rests
the whole question of the great Davis trial,
which the nation at large demands to be an
sWered by the presiding Justice OF the Supreme
Court of the United States
In the meantime the officers of the United
States Circuit Court are arranging the preliml-
naTies for the trial OF Jefferson Davis on the LIST
OF NoVember,-N y, Herald,