The New York herald., 1877-10-21
JEFFERSON DAVIS.


MOTIVES OF ACTIoN--A DEBT OF aBATI-
TUDE-THE TESNEssEE sTATEsMANs ESCAPE
FROM DEATH AT THE HANDS OF MOD.
From the Atlanta (Ga. Constitution. oct l6l
President johnson avoided all which looked
to tho giving OF Davis up the fury of the inlamod
Northern populace. Ho saw how futile 1t would be 70
the strangely unrcasoning passion Of tho people.
and had himself, with his strong will and unquostonod
courage, been compelled to yield to its demands In the
cases OF Mrs. Surrutt and Wirz. The blood Of Davis
was demanded OF him, and millions feared, millions
hopoa that would deliver this unfortunate leader
OF tho Lost Causo over 10 the unsatscd and bloody
handed MOB that was then commanding the action OF
Congress and tho decisions OF courts But Johnson
delayed and considered the plans offered for
tho disposition OF hts prisoner, until he camo 20 DO
accused Of harshly delaying tho tate OF ''the rebel
chief" and doing In order that he might suffer all
the reHncments OF prison These charges and
numerous others wero mado because OF the delay In
turning DAVIS over to tho courts.
AWAITING TINE.
That President johnson had some good and sum-
ciont for bis action, non-action, in tho mat
ter was apparent to tho outire country. What his
real object was no one has known. for doubt
IL he over told any person, however closo In hts
confidence
When action was taken and Davis carried before the
courts country is familiar and history Will record
the proceedings leading up to his discharge. pres-
dent Johnson often referred In public and private 10
this sresult" but never, 30 far wc can ascertain.
expressed satisfaction chagrn that the 'icadcs
OF the rebellion" should have escaped the punish-
ment which he so often declared during tho war, to
DO duo all those revolution against the federal
government account OF thor 30 called ''trcaS0n."
lew facts connected with the nrst days Of tho wAr
will bring us to the principal points OF THIS narrative
II Will be remembered that altor Andrew Johnson
declared that would not abandon the 0f the
Union, he became odious TO The Southern people.
Upon his return 10 Tennessee IRON Washington he
subjected 10 all manner OF insults and lndignttes
along route through Virginia, anu at Lynchburg
was assalcd most outrageousIy Ny irate secession
partisans. " upon This memorable trip that the
given the incidents now TO be related.
The following documents Tell their own story. and
were copied by tho writer from the originals in the
possession, ,oi President Johnson
GENERAL HUMPHREY MAIsnALL's LETTER.
Tho first document IL US follows:--
NEW ORLEANS. April 30. 1896.
DEAR sn-Tho inclGsea s.Atsms1. Is from gontem,n
called during tho He .as then u Colonel In
ss . the
hs s snG o sa
short time before the fall of kchmon1 ue IL IN one
the truth o the tor can conceive Of no
he
Davis sroassd him wolf properly during inc
nicassa s iaess me- only to-day
; s Drs ssssss 5 ssE % ss
70 know It, know were IN your place. and sue such n fssss acts
Ssa 80 served IS D.S.
US as s1a a n
desired y NJ; Greenwood e IsS1sss ,h., r. you VII,
shrink om the ppsaranee Of oricousnss. and :sy. he
hope. c., .ir M ina. W You NV viii appissass my
enn hs n.s m regard
'0'' '0'p''"1"'' ''1' 0''1iI nUMPiiaEI MARSHALL
Honorable ANDREW Johnson.
Ian xyaa tha fol1n Mi
mont OF lacts signed by Mr. Greenwood himsclf:-
GRHEswo0D's STATEMENT
leans that In the year 1851 he was on duty Com
officer ~ Bsso East a. Know: .as
President Of the United states his return from Wash.
movement meant secure Mr.. Johnsons person and 70
lew momsn,s only before tho cars stopped warming was
given Mr.. Johnsons being tho and there
AZ 1o ean, s
sss s % f wa "
had been 70 ar Johnson that the Undersigned ia
life him great bodily HARM ordered the
q the ~ w wIs . 1rss.
position OF Mr.. DAVIS How Mr. DAVIS knew OF Mr. John.
oDcvod tho positive order and claims no credit therefor
ss sS Sa s M s
Nj Davis orders which we're positive snd stated their
ms time The fact known. tho undersigned NJ
A. {. GREENWOOD.
Tho abovo documents tell their story. How
Mr.. johnson regarded their contents the writer 70
unable say, Tor, In series OF years. no never heard
from Mr. Johnson the slightest reference TO tue facts
stated tnorn. Tho only notice We now have of his
being Interested thcm is the care with which he
preserved tho, aud tho following Endorsement which
he wrote them In his own pecul'ur chrography
Letter Jen Davis saving the life OF A. J.
his return from Washington.
Wo have often talked with ex-Prcsdont johnson
about Mr. DAVIS amt retain notes OF conversations IN
hicnl lig a ID
tho Confederate ex-Prcstdcnt were gwen with much
freedom. Those c0mmonts we cannot incorporate
but state that IN no one vi the convcrsa.
tons did MIR. johnson speak haishiy o MIR. DAVIS.
On the contrary, lie seemed 10 have u peculiar
tercst In Mr.. DAVIS fortunes, 10 for q
life or pcaco and happiness, not renewed and groat
usefulness
These facts bring up what onco whis.
percd question -
s.Did Mr. Johnson, In his conduct toward Mr..
DAVIS seek 10 pay debt Of gratitude his pro-
servcry"
AN OVERCOAT FOR COLD LOVE.