Daily Ohio statesman. [volume] (Columbus, Ohio) 1855-1870, 1868-03-13
Andrew johnson and Jefferson
Davis.


To-day, President JOHNSON is required
to put in his appearance, either by himself
or by counsel, at the bar of the High Court
of Impeachment. It is given out that he
will ask longer time for preparation to
go into trial than will be granted by this
High Court. This may be true or it may
not Opinions conflict as to his acquittal or
conviction. There is one thing there need
be no contrariety of opinion about; that
Court is organized to convict, and if in
caucus it shall be decided essential to the
success of the Republican party in the ap-
preaching Presidential election to convict
and depose him, it will be done. Ifitshall
seem to appear that the success OF their
party win be promoted by his acquittal, he
will be acquitted. His conviction or ac-
quittal will not be controlled by guilt or
innocence. Party necessity will control it.
He can rightfully object, that the Court
has prejudged his case, and is not, there
| FORE competent to pass upon it; he
can object that the law, for viola
tion of which he is ostensibly ar
raigned, is unconstitutional, and was pass
ed by them to take from him and usurp to
themselves the power of appointment
lodged in him by the Constitution of the
United States. All this will avail nothing.
Does party necessity demand his convic-
ton and removal? That's the question. 1t
would not do to tell the people so. Hence,
the ridiculous farce of trying him on pre-
tended grave charges.
This is the 18th day. of March. Ten days
| from now-on the 23d of March--is the day
to which the trial of JEFFERSON DAVIS in
the United States Circuit Court, for treason
against the United States, was postponed.
1t is the duty of Chief Justice CHASE to
preside at that trial; but inasmuch as he
has to preside at this Impeachment trial of
President JOHNSON, the trial of JEFFERSON
DAVIS will again have to be postponed.
Mr.. DAVIS is now at New Orleans, and will
be promptly on hand at Richmond, with
his counsel, ready to proceed to trial on the
23d. Government won't be ready; for
that which was designated by the
'loyal" throughout the War as '"the
Government" itself will be on trial for 'shigh
crimes and misdemeanors." JEFFERSON
DAVIS was captured on the 10th of May,
lS65-nows within two months of three
years. The 'loyal'' were going to make
swift work with him. Within thirty days
at farthest they were going to have
him dangling between heaven and
earth. He was to have short shrift. He
was manacled and thrown into Fortress
Monroe and treated to indignities. This
did not last long. Milder and more con-
was taken before Judge, by name UNDER
WOOD, who but few days before had ad
vertised the country that he was animated
by the most bloodthirsty designs upon Mr..
DAVIS. The Government was not ready
to go into trial. Mr.. DAVIS was permitted
to go at large on bail and one of the volun-
tary bondsmen is HORACE GREELEY.
All this must strike the thinking portion
of our people as very singular. "The head
and front of the Rebellion" as our people
were wont to characterize JEFFERSON
DAVIS, courts trial upon the charges pre-
ferred against him. Perhaps he would be
less ready to go into trial were the court
vi iSduiZco W COuflCb, uut LIS otCOAuCJ .
have the right to rule off of the Jury any
man they have reason to suppose is so
preiudiced against him as to deny him
fair trial. President JOHNSON, were he to
manifest solicitute for an extension of time
before going into trial, would not be likely
to have the courtesy shown him that has
been shown JEFFERSON DAVIS. Certainly,
he will not have extended to him the right
of successful challenge against the pre-
judiced men who will sit as jurors on his
trial. Herein, JEFFERSON DAVIS will show
that he can exercise right which ANDREW
JOHNSON, who is President of the United
States, can not use to his advantage.
Verify. the Republican party is not yet
done making history.
Since the above was put in type, we are
informed by telegraph that Mr.. DAVIS,
trial has been postponed until the 14th of
April.