Virginian-pilot. (Norfolk, Va.) 1898-1911, 1900-07-22

THE TRIAL AT LAST.
On Thursday. the Sd day of De-
cenber. 1865. the questions arising I'M
der the rule were taken up in the Cir
cult Court OF the United States, sit
ting at Richmond, with Judges Chase
and Underwood on the bench and the
real and final trial OF MIR. Davis be-
gun.
There was not so much pomp and
ceremony, nor rs much dramatic effect
rs at the trial of Warren Hastings;
nor has any such master OF the art
of word painting as Macauley ever de-
Scribcd 1t. In some respects, how
ever. the scenes were alike, despite
the differences in the character OF the
prisoners and the style of the crimes
with which charged. In each case the
prisoner at the bar was man of high
intelligence and strong Will. Each had
ruled an empire
Hastings had governed vast terri
tory and many millions OF people. and
had added continent to the crown
of England. Davis had been the
chosen leader of the heroic people OF
eleven Commonwealths combined "a
der him for constitutional govern
ment. which had set great armies and
great captains to the field and FOR four
years. against desperate odds. and de-
pendent solely upon It's own resources,
had accomplished mighty deeds. won
brilliant victories ana challenged the
JuilllId llUll bI IIIU CiNliiHCT by
its sturdy fortitude and by the heroic
defense OF what was regarded as right.
The very indictment against Ieffer-
son Davis was the catalogue of the
great acts of Il sovereisn-a sovereign
who conspircd with Lee and Jackson
and the JohnSonS, With Stuart and
Forest and Kirby Smith and Taylor
and many another, to fight such bat
Ties as the two Manassas, the seven at
Richmond. the two at Fredericksburg,
ana the bloody fields at Gettysburg.
the Wilderness. charlottesville, and
Spojsylvania.
Great publicists like Chase and
O'Conor and Evarts knew what the
law and the custom of nations did not
look upon such deeds Us those of
traitor. and that the world stood
aEhast at the effort to thus debase the
principles OF international justice; but
President Johnson and Judge Under
wood. ut n safe distance, would have
read the riot act to the rebel army and
then held forfeited to the gallows the
life Of every gallant man who did not
at once lay down his arms.
ANSWERED FOR y PEOPLE.
Mr. Davis sat behind his counsel on
the day OF his final trial much i'm
proved since his last appearance i'll the
same room. lie was not an unworthy
hero FOR such u scene. His eye flashed
WIN intellectual IRE, his nervous en-
ergy was still alert, though his physical
strength was much wasted. AS he sat
in the midst Of the distinguished group
he was easily primus inter pares. His
calm dignity and his dauntless courage
inspired the zeal of his defenders and
won the respect of those whose official
duty IT was to prosecute. He sat at
that bar arraiened for the crimes of n
great people. Il sovereign called upon to
answer for the misdemeanors OF an
empire. His mien and bearing show
him worthy the dignity of the position.
The CHIEF justice of the United States
presided aud it is with pleasure that
it can be recorded that he we'll main
tanned the functions Of his high office.
lie occupied the same position which
was held by Chief Justice Marshall In
that other great trial when Aaron Burr
stood indicted for treason at the same
har ond 20 his credit be IL said. he
was equally just and impartial
The somewhat notorious Underwood
sat by his side. but the arguments Of
counsel were, it is said by eye Wit
nesses. addressed only TO the CHIEF JUS
tice. Mr.. OCopor especially ignored