The Orangeburg democrat. [volume] (Orangeburg, S.C.) 1879-1881, 1879-05-23
"MAKING TREASON ODIOUS,u
CLOSING SCENES OF THE GREAT CIVIL
u q YAnss j LIZ

lNAohAA NhaAASosoh 4>o"5i juno loOO.l
On the morning Of the 23d of May
q bitterer trial was in store for the
proud spirit-a trial sevorer, proba.
bly,, than has ever in modern times
been inflicted upon any one who has
enjoyed such eminence. This morn
ing Jefferson Davis was shackled.
It was while all the swarming
camps Of the armies of the Potomac.
the Tennessee and Georgia-over two
hundred thousand bronzed and lau-
relied veteranns-were preparing for
6bagG Grand Reyiews Of the next morn
ing, in which, passing in endless sue
cession before the mansion of the
President, the conquering military
power of the nation was to lay down
It's arms at the feet of the civil au-
thority, that the following scene was
enacted at Fort Monroe:
Capt. Jerome e. Titlow, of the Sd
Pennsylvania Artillery, entered the
prisoners cell, followed by the black
smith of the fort and his assistant,
the latter carrying in his hands some
heavy and harshly rattling shackles.
AS they entered, Mr.. Davis was re-
clining on his bed, feverish and wea-
~ after q sleepless night, the food
placed near him the preceding day
still lying untouched on his tin plate
near his bedside.
swell !" said Mr.. Davis us they en-
tered, slightly raising his head.
81 have an unpleasant duty to per-
form, sir" said Capt. Titlow; and as
lie spoke, the senior blacksmith took
the shackles from his assistant.
Davis leaped instantly from his re-
cumbent attitude, flush passing over
his face for moment, and then his
countenance growing as livid and
rigid as death.
He gasped for breath, clutching
his throat with the thin fingers of his
right hand, and then recovering him
eelf slowly, while his wasted figure
lowered up to its full height-now
appearing to swell with Indignation
and then to shrink with terror rs he
gfanced from the captains face to the
shackles-he said slowly and with a
laboring chest:
"My God! You cannot have been
sent to iron me?"
"Such are my orders, SIR" replied
the officer, Reckoning the blacksmith
to approach, who stepped forward,
unlocking the paddock and preparing
the fetters to do their office. These
fetters were of heavy iron, probably
five-eighths of an inch in thickness,
and connected together by chain OF
like weight. I believe they are now
in the possession of Major General
Miles, and will form an interesting
relic.
s'This is too monstrous," groaned
the prisoner, glaring hurriedly around
the room, as if for some weapon, or
means Of self-destruction. 81 de.
mand, Captain, that you let me see
the commanding officer. Can he pre-.
tend that such shackles are required
to secure the safe custody of weak
old man, so guarded and in such a
fort as this p ~ ~
SIT would serve no purpose" re-
piled Capt. Tit!ow; "his orders are
from Washington, as mine are from
him."
"But he can telegraph" interposcd
Mr.. Davis, eagerly: "there must be
some mistake. No such outrage as
you threaten me with is recorded in
the history cf nations. Beg him to
telegraph and delay until lie an
swers."
"My orders are peremptory," said
the officer, Sand admit of no delay
For your own sake, let me advise you
TO submit with patience. AS sol
dier, Mr. Davis, you know I must ex
ecute orders"
ssThese are not orders for a sol
dier," shouted the prisoner, losing al
control Of himself. "They are orders
for jailor--a hangman, which nc
soldier wearing sword should ac.
ceptl tell you the world will ring
with this disgrace. The war is over
the South is conquered; / Ihaye nc
longer any country but America, and
tits FOR the honor of America, as fo,
my own honor and life, that plead