New-York tribune., 1867-05-31
Riohmona and shudaer aa We read Knowing that the

Richmond. and shudder IA We read Knowing that the
legal punishment Of Davis had become impossible, VIC
sternly demand of Mr. johnson why it was made impos
sibe Knowing that trial. with the inevitable acqut
tai of Virginia jury, would have been disgraceiut
farce, men ask why Government that hates treason
waited for such trial Remembering that tho execution
of Davis without civil trial would not have placed thc
brand of infamy upon the Rebellion Of which he the
representative. and would have been merely the
geance Of outraged Government upon Individual
traitor mon demand to know whether under OF
this land treason is great crime that ii bo
punished If So say, let us repeal all laws against
treason and henceforth punish that ouy with tho
sword.
But how can nation punish such criinef Tho lead
ers of the Rebellion not only violated oaths, not only
took against the nation but they worked for years
deIude whole section, studiousIy cultivated false
ideas of the nature and consequence OF secession falsely
persuaded people that they had been deprived OF rights
and implanted the belief that rebellion under such cir
cumstances crime at all 1t is because the crime
of these men was so great they poisoned all
sources OF information blinded the minds and narcot
lied the conscience Of whole section so that TO this day
portion of the people of tho rebelo1s States st
believe that they had right to rebelt Is for this very
reason that no legally impannced jury 10 found at
the South to agree convicng the chief OF traitors
The nation will not forget that treason is crime, thoug,
IL may accept the fact that there crimes 40 stpcnd
ous so farreaching and so terrible their effects that
human law is adequate to punish them.
If tho nation cOmIcucd 70 cnOOsc
rather than punishment and to prefer not the penalty
for individual crimes but tho extirpaon Of the deas
systems accursed institutions that bred and reared
race of traitors IT, in short Mr.. Davis could not DO
legally convicted and ought not to have been Illegally
retained in confinement on what ground are We to con-
denim those who participated In his released Thanks to
the glorious loyalty of people, the herOism OF our
armies and the frmness and wisdom Of Congress. we
have no longer fear the chief OF dead rebel
lion His confinement without trial daily reproach
to cowardy administration. In fastening the result,
and making IL In part tho work or prominent kepup-
cans may not the inevitable release have been turned to
good account and the captive rebel been made an
instrument the triumph Of the Republican causef For
thorough regeneration at the South. division OF tho
white vote Is necessary Every step that proves that tho
North desires not vengeance but only just and safe re-
construction contributes to osrenghen the ae
the South and to hasten the development OF genuine
Union sentiment there. 1t was in this view that congress-
n1eting ne penalties 9qt qdopling the e% q conq9ess
"a ts basis bAssed the reconstruction bills IL the captive
ovI. coud he made of use TO the same cause while his
continued Imprisonment tended TO delay the reconstruc
ton for which the country waits and the Republican
party labors are those prominent Republicans 10 DO
blamed who participated in his releasef
Missouri Radicals who have met treason In the deat
gappe by their very fresdes have little reason as
any others in the land to Justify eency TO trait
| ors But they are sandered when men say that they
| seek revenge Even their disfranchsement OF Rebels
was not punishment, but for safety ana scpto'ec
tion The the great Wcst arc too large OF heas
and too brave wreak upon fallen 1oe Ihey
will fight with the foremost when there is lighting 10 DO
done INT they do not leave the Of their bullets to be
| finished by the gaIIows They ask vengeance upon
whipped Rebels They demand only that the honor and
safety OF the nation shall be secured If the release even
OF tho Chief OF the Rebellion will contribute in the LEASE
degree TO hasten thorough regeneration, Infamous ~
| his crimes have been, the Radicals Of the west
thirst
| in the way OF the nations welfare. IL We
| can trample out of existence every idea III
which the Rebellion originated, If VIC can pun
up by the every institution, and system ana neesy
TINT Rebels sought to maintain IL we can place ireo
ballot guaranteed by free Constitution in the hands OK
every black man that the Rebels fought to Keep IN
Slavery we are not afraid that the Rebellion Will ever
seem 10 anybody so successful TO warrant another
such experiment. The Of the West have noblcr
work in hand than the punishment OF any traitor Thcy
demand the extrpation Of all causes OF Repelhon ana
the thorough regeneration of the South To all tre 10
come nation saved and race enranchised will remain.
more striking and enduring monuments OF the fate
OF Shareholders Rebellion than all the seafods that
| justice could have reared
We are frank to say, then, that the censure OF mr
Greeley MI Phillips and poron OF the Eastern press
seems TO out of place. Mr. Greeley has maze greas
mistakes but in this matter believe lao has acted for
the good country and the advancement Of the Re-
publican cause Had there been any chance OF the legal
conviction and punishment OF Davis tho case would have
been different But the release OF man who could noS
have been convicted punished. has surely done no
| harm, may yet do much good, and was in fact re-
| auired by a regard for law. II. Mr.. Cree
| ley believed. the prominent participation OF q
Republican so well known and influential as hmser
would tend any degree TO convince the Southern peo-
pie that the Republican party asks not for vengeance
but only fer justice aud safetyn reconstruction and thus
to hasten the growth of genuine loyal sentiment and q
in
Greeley deserves credit for his t is not sur
render the hour OF victory" II is simply release OF
capves army be the stronger in aggfes-
sye movements one consideration suces to explain and
Justify tive cannot afford to sacrifice the future TO tho
| past.