The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1867-11-13
iN Our Great State Trial.
III q % N. Il
From the N. O.,Times.

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From the N. O.;Times.
Beyond all doubt, the most m0mentous
Assembly of men learned in the law
which this country is'destined ever 20 see'
will be that which will soon attend to ex,
anime the accusation Of treason against
Mr.. Jefferson Days. The defendants one
who has, in his day, filled high Offices, As AS
q man, his character is unblemished. The
offence for which he is arraigned is the
gravest known under the Constitution
The occasiob itselfis oneiin which an en-
tire section Of the country is as much IN
terested as he who will stand at the bar,
with the Chief Justice in the Chair.
It is, therefore, emirently proper that
the great American State Trial should De
made as memorable as the events which led
to it are memorable. Then, if "'Tfeasonis
capital be, under asolemn decision oy our
highest judicial officer, confessed ana
proved" not only the civilized world
but the /" American people, Moth and
South, will know how to award the ultl-
mate verdict" n
We extract from the N. Y. Tribune the
following remarks, which are valuable as
showing that the gravity OF this trial IS
properly appreciated by the leading Repao'
| lican journal Of the North:
Chief Justice Chase, the whole country
will gladly hear, has given notice that ne
will preside at the trial of Jefferson DAVIS
proyided the parties will consent TO br,pg
| It on November j 9th instead Of Novenlbe1
a7th-the latter being the day specihed II
Dayis's bail-bond for his appearance 70 an
swer to the Indictment found against him
AS the Chief Justice is to preside in tn
Sunreme Court which commences it's annu
al session on the first Monday in Decem
her his request is reasonable, and, we pre-
sumo, will be acceded to. SO we may con
slider it settled that the trial will commenc
on the 18th prox., and that the Chief Us
tice will preside. - 49,.
MAY we not now hope that the Attorne
, General will lead the prosecution! I'M
, is no petty larceny matter. 1t, were shee
! affectation to mistake it as other than
. GREAT State trial-one destined to be cite
as q precedeut-to be studied and con
|mented on through many years. The que
|tions involved are those OF public and COZ
Institutional law--there are no facts IN oil
mute, and the examination Of wltnesst
Y need not occupy two hours. We Judg
also, that the impanneling OF the jury nee
(eycite little interest, since the issue mu
depend on the law Of the case as ruled
1.-The Court. That Jefferson Davis ieVlt
g war against the United States is as inco
y testab!e q fact as, that Andrew J ohnson
q now President or Salmon +. Chase Chl
Ie Justice. We cannot suppose thateml1e
Is LAWYERS will hesitate to admit it. And,
ut the only grave questions involved are que
TO tons oflaw, itswould geeln plain that t
$, law on which conviction is demand
he should be propounded and set forth ~
er high, st law officer Of the Government
st effect, by the Government itself
e, Sixty years have elapsed since the OF
i'd great State trial in our Federal history
We that Of Aaron Burr, late Vice President
the United States, also for treason. ia
en- has not filled quite SO lofty a station, I'M
nd ing been United States Senator and Sec
of tafy Of War; but then he was the Pr
IN. dent Of a Confederacy which for four ye
I'M divided and defed the whole power OF
, Union. Then the Chief Justice was II
ng the South, the accused from the Nor
to now the positions are reversed out
be uotable'that Richmond is thescenefs Of 3
trials. -,
icy Judge Underwood would have tried !.
nd case with perfect uprightness and JUDI y
nd impartiality yet it is filter that the 2
use Justice should preside. And the prop
an ties dictate as plainly that the Attor
ed, General should lead The prosecution,
o i be borne IL mind that the American
ter Die are virtually the plaintiff in this 9
We and that the civilized world will metz
progress aud award the ultimate verde ',
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