The Pascagoula democrat-star. (Pascagoula, Miss.) 1878-1920, 1885-03-06
Mr.. Davis Not "A Traitor.


Gen. Bradley I. Johnston recent
ly gave hls views TO a reporter OF
the Baltimore american on matters
pertaining to jefferson Davis and
the legal status of the Southern
Contedcracy:
IU my opinion Mr.. Jefferson
Davis is q statesman and patriot.
In his long life, devoted to the
service of his people, be has always
been faithful and above criticism.
While opinions do differ as to the
wisdom of his administration of
the affairs Of the Confederate States
while President. 10 man can ques-
ton his fidelity to the principles he
had maintained all his life or the
cause he had espoused. The ostra-
cism of Mr.. Davis by dlstranchise.
ment twenty years after the war is
IL disgrace 10 the people who insist
upon continuing it. He was nei-
ther cOnspirator nor traitor, and l
have the best of reasons for assert
ing thai the Federal Administra-
tion was afraid to bring to the test
the question of treason by trial or
judicial determination. The prin-
ciples laid down by the Supreme
Court OF the United States, in a
long series of decisions, establish
ed two propositions:
l. That in q civil war citizens
who take sides with either party
cannot afterwards be convicted of
treason by the civil courts. This
is as old as the Statutes of trea-
sons.
2. That the war between the
States wassa civil war, with all the
consequences to its adherents OF a
war inter genteS. Therefore, the
war was IA war between the States,
and its supporters were not traitors.
In the opinion of Chief Justice
Chase, this was admitted aud es-
tablished here by the third section
OF the 14th amendment to the Con-
sttutiOn of the United States,
which was a declaration by all the
States that participants in the civil
war should be punished by dislran-
chisement. aud 10 no other way.
The recent attack on Mr.. Davis was
an indecent attempt Ivy the perpe-
traitors of it-disgraceful to them.
selyes-to stir up the dying en-
bers of sectional hate tor a EiiSer.
able partisan purpose. 1t was un
patriotic. and deserves the repro
baton Of all good citizens, which
believe it will receive. The eX
Coniederates are as much devoted
TO the Union under the ConStitu
lion, to liberty, TO Republican in.
situations and to Democratic prin
ciples as those who supported the
Union side. Many have distinctly
renourced all belief in the old con
slilutiOnal doctrine that the States
have the right TO judge of the in
fractions OF the Constitution aud
to decide upon tue mode and meas
ure OF redress; and they all agree
that the Federal judiciary is the
supreme aud only arbiter. They
have entirely repudiated all desire
for separate autonomy, aud they
are as determined that the Union
shall Oe maintained, that its honor,
its glory, it's power and its prosper
ity shall be supported and extend
ed, as any citizen of our common
county. They are of the Union
and the Union is of us. We will
carry the flag as far, and stand by
it as ealiantly, as we did the stars
aud bars, and there is no reserya-
tion whatever, in our sincere devO-
lion to it. We desire to be OH fra
ternal terms with all our fellow
citizens, North and South, Union
aud ex-Coniederate, Republican
aud Democrat. Good feeling is
growing daily. The wounds OF the
war are nearly healed, and l lie
nouuce as worthy of American
citizenship the Senators who have
made this wretched attempt to re-
vive malice by preaching the doc
tIiue Of Fate"