The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1867-05-29
THE RELEASE OF JEFF DAVIS.
Public Opinion Upon the
Event.
Squabbles Among the Union Leagues,
Radical Politicians and Repub-
lican Newspapers.
Smash Up Of the Republican Party North
and West.
10. &c. &c.
From the New York Times, Nav 2s.,

From the New York Ttmes Nav ISL
We have not been inclined to concur TIE harsh
Judgment passed by the republican press upon Mr. Gree
Mr. Davis The act itself has less significance and far
less public importance than ia generally sscribed 10 It.
But the reasons by which Mr. Greeley seeks TO justify
belon II those reasons are sound-R the Of the
Revolution and the war of the late rebellion snalo-
gous-then we have made mistake in fighting Davis
and his confederates At all
From the New York Nation.l
The expressions OF feeling called forto by Mr.. Gree
ey's performances at Richmond last week have been
sufficiently strong and sufficiently numerous TO warrant
us in saying that, whatever difference opinion there
may Mr. Greeleys motives there is mono at ali
the repulsiveness pedency OF his conduct
The majority OF the republican papers ascrbe his ap
ance as Davis first bondsman 10 love Of notorsty
which has been growing on him for some years and
which now hnds expression in one way and now In n
other. But we do not need TO show that in
baiing Jefferson Davis he actuated by purely
selfish motive order TO prove him guilty Of that kind
OF blunder which, when committed by o man in his po-
ssion, deserves almost as severe punishment as Il II
we're piece OF sheer baseness The struggle
being now over, Mr. Greeley scts US the example OF
going to the South, not to relieve the sucrngs Of
late enemies-for this, Christians bound TO
do; yet to them OF forgiveness and peace,
for OF this everybody the wisdom but of tesfyng
20 them by unasked and oicious poteness by offer OF
aid IN escaping the legal consequences OF their
grossions by in short the usual marks Of sympathy
esteem respect for this meant BY baiing
out of Jail when you have personal acquant-
with him. and he neither asks needs your aid;
that there has been nothing their conduct to offend
conscences or lower them morally Ia estima-
ton. We have, rs all our readers KNOW opposed
all forms of persecution of The South. We have OBJ
eced to confscaton and to the nicon Of every other
penalty clearly called for peace and good
ordor But then we believe in the existence of such
thing as national dignity, national serespect and
tonai conscience; aud we that decent regard for
these things makes Mr.. Greceys performances Rich
mond-all except his speech, which able and sens-
bie-simpy deteslaole, and calls for moro emphatic
reprobaton than they yet received although we
have no doubt Whatever rs to the intensity OF the dis
gust with which the public generally regards them.
from the New York Independent
Jefferson Davis ought TO have been tried long long
ago his protracted detention in prison. without trial
proach Us now fearfuy increased by his discharge on
bail 1t was hitherto supposed that the government
being either not ready Hr no, willing bring MIN
him In custody. 1t now seems, however, that
the prisoner nigh. have been released at any
officers OF the had bethou0ht themselves Of ad-
hitting him to BAIL Can any good be assigned
why he should have been baed few days ago rather
than q few weeks ago, or few months ago or year
and half ago2 None! But ne never should have
been baicd at all Does not everybody know that men
charged with far less henous crimes not admitted
bals Arc small criminals to be denied the privilege or
BAIL and great criminals to enjoy tf II man who
robs bank must remain in jail till his trial. shall
who lsvies war against The government nres hotels.
starves prisoners and saughters half million Of his
Of green kid gloves, take new hat and cane.
q his 'frends' Our sense Of justice revol!s :.
such proceeding We grant that Mr. Davis should
not have been ncarcerated for undue term without
trial. No apology can be mnde tor the governments
bar But 70 admit him 70 bail. Ike the commonsst Of
cuiprits Is mockery Of justcea confusion OF moral
disiinctons--a national disgrace. Nothing In the
punishment OF Mr.. Davis a. q state prisoner
thus far, shows him 70 have been guilty Of
any greater crime than picking pocket. or
con u . baable offence Is next TO saying that II 10
offence at all. The greatest law breaker Of modern
times shocks the civilized world BY hts crimes nils the
land with mourning. darkeus the nations history With
his shadow. and yet the sum total OF bis guilt Is roupdy
estimated by the law at 500, 900! This stands
charged with connvance at the murder Of Abraham
Lincoln. Has any other charged boon bailedy
Why no, release John H. surr.t on similar terms'
to trial. why should not both be troaied
aliksf In view OF all the circumstances have found
n impossible 10 regard the release OF Mr. Davis other
than hdeous bunder. We have no words adequate to
expresses mingled regret, indignation and
the act some Of tho principal actors in It are men
whom We personally love and revere. Of course they
have acted frm the nobcst and purest OF movcs they
incapable of acting from any other But they have,
neverheiess lent their countcnance to q proceeding
which, In our judgment is as great disgrace as has
fallen upon The nation since the public drunkenness Of
Andr johnson the day Of his inauguration Vice
From the New York Evening Post-Repl
Jefferson Davis instead OF being put to the experience
OF turn In Libby Prison, where, in the days OF his
treason, he tortured TO death SO many better men than
himself, has been suffered TO 60 at largo without even
the form OF legal inquiry into his conduct The clause
OF the constitution which defines treason against the
country and tue laws Of Congress which prescribe the
proper punishment Of treason, are made dead ter
For all that appears the crime Of treason Is henccorh
as safe 10 commit in the United States speculation is
In New York city. This IL the construction which
forced the by the fact that the first which
the bonded traitor proposes TO make OF hss enlargement
10 90 az once 10 foreign country beyond the reach
OF our laws.
As he leaves the country with the OF his
bondsmcn Is plain that they consider the balncnl
msre matter OF FORM farce and that they have
pectaon OF being called upon 20 pay the 500 900
sae ransom o. traitor Iner desire TO sign the bond
p0sterity those who gladly did all 10 their power
procure his exemption from tho penalty Of Law. Lot
To Mr. Greeley accorded the proud satisfaction OF
putting his name At the head Of the list Of bondsmen
He doubtless looks upon IL the elimination OF b IS
long continued efforts In behalf OF the rebellion II viii
compensate all his disappointmens in regard the paw
ment for the slaves the surrender Of the south to the
rebellion the peace ncgot atous 10 Canada the perma
nent recognition OF the government At Richmond. lie
could not do what he would. but he has gladly done
what he could he has at least cd
10 the end
fFrom the Albany Evening Journsi-Ropl
The Onion League Club Of New York has given Horace
Greeley notice or intention 10 enquire into his
duct in becoming bondsman for Jen Davis. While we
appreciate the RIGHTEOUSNESS and absurdity OF this pro-
cecding there seems TO be peculiar justice in Its app
cation. This pompous and arrogant club
never arrogant never 80 unjust never 80 ridicu
ious but that found IN the Tribune ready advocate
for its greatest assumptions and bitter assaan Of all
whom Il denounced II Is withai little satisfactory,
therefore, TO md that MIR. Greeley hzs himself come
Of safety has been dlrerted to hod inoucs, upon his
political virtues. II they shall record against him tho
verdict 'mene, meme, teke, he may perhaps be able
70 Judge how would have felt had he been an honest
member Of the last Legislature
From the Buffalo Express Rep
Inc Albany Evening Jos nal denounces Union League
organizations as prone 10 become arrogant and
oearng substituting caprice for reason and putting ar
naIaIy dctauon In the stead Of individual judgment
me OScson q THIS bitter piece Of scodng Is the fact
nA the tnicn League Club OF New York dsapproves OF
NJ creeiey becoming bon6sman for the high priest OF
s On = The Journal, business no, ours that 10
zoe nos favor such organizations, but IL duty,
- voc uuy 81 every other member Of that organiza-
on 70 repe' sucn defamatory assaults upon
~ py our contemporary We not what tho Journal
may think Of them the Union Leagues OF the state Of
New YORK and the United States are az patriotic high.
minded and unsehsh organ cations As have evar beeu
known to the political history OF this country and what
IN moro, they have impaired efficiency and nower 10
our political contests that have nned our victories
and secured results that could have been reached
without them.
From the white Plans (westchcs,sr county w,
Journal-Deml
= AZ last the rebel confederacy succumbed 10
che overwhelming numbers and vastly superior
OF the North and Jefferson Davis became prisoner 81