The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1915-05-05
AT TIME HOWEVER MINDS WE'RE
so BLINDED WITH PASSION
Vt WAS NOT DOUBTED.
An Indications and Aetions Pointed
10 u and Jefferson Davis Wss
Accused "A Its Head.
(ey Winfield N. Thomp.on.)


ON the morning OF May 10. 1855.
Jefferson Davis. late President OF the
Confederate States. who since April
had been fugitive from Richmond,
Va. was captured al Irwinyille, Ca
by Federal Cavalry. A price OF $780,
900 was on his head. for be had been
proclaimed at Washington as the head
or great conspiracy TO murder ADra-
ham Lincoln and the men nearest him
In the control OF the Federal govern
nent.
That same morning a military COM
miAslon met In Washington. to try
the eight unfortunatee. seven men and
n woman, whose association with John
wilkes Booth had brought them 10
felons' chains and arraisBment as ass
assins; and In trying these dupes OF
the assassin. Army officers VINO
served on the commission, earnest
and honest men all, were bound by
'the charges on which the eight pris-
oners were arraigned. 20 show the
world that a great conspiracy. with
Jefferson Davis at its head. mad
struck down the Nations leader
This was the cornerstone of the
Goyernments case. II was not enough
. that Booths associates should be sent
10 the scanold or a dungeon. for this
could be easily done: IL was needful
that the North's cry for vengeance
be appeased by proof OF the guilt. al
legged from the morning OF IAncoln's
death. or Jefferson Davis and certain
OF his associates.
Mems minds were so clouded by
passion that the existence OF the
Great Conspiracy" seemed beyond
ragged by the loss OF their cause. des-
perate at the end OF the war, caring
not what measures they now took 10
strike down and destroy the Govern
ment, had resorted to murder. seemed
possible 10 the minds that had been
made sick by four years OF fraternal
bloodshed. Indignant disclaimers
from southern people and their sor-
row felt for the loss OF Lincoln as a
true friend OF the South, counted for
nothing. In the yellow pages OF the
Records OF the War one finds an ex-
preston OF the South's views In this
letter from Lieut.. Gen. II. S. EweII
and other officers, prisoners at Fort
warren, Boston Harbor. addressed to
Gen. Grant:
Need we say that we are not as
sasstns, nor the allies of assassins.
be they from the North or from the
South. and coming as We do from the
most OF the States OF the South, we
would be ashamed OF our own people.
were we not assured that they will
repudiate this crime"
Such words as these were not al
lowed to see the light. Charity, which
lad ever guided the great man
now laid low. stood outside the
gate a stranger. Clearness OF sight
was impossible IN the cloud OF dark
suspicion that obscured the clearest
vision.
How completely mems views were
distorted In that time OF rage and
mourning only the student of the in
ner history OF the Great Conspiracy
trial may judge-for dispassionate
study. In the cool. clear light of half
century. shows that the Great Con-
spiracy" was a myth.
Men Named as Murderers.
The Military Commission chosen 10
prove the existence of the great con.
spiracy and try the so-called lincoln
conspirators was composed of nine of.
ncers, as follows: Major General Da.
via Hunter. u. s. r.. an old army Off.
Ger; Major General Lew Wallace. o.
3 v; Brevet Major General August
kautz, Y: s. "; Brigadier General
Albion +. Howe. U. S. W: Brigadier
General Robert 8. Foster. ~ s. V:
Brevet Brigadier General James A
Ekin, Z. 3. v; Brigadier General
Ihomas M. Harris. u. S. ": Brevet
colonel c. II. Tompkins. u. s. Army:
Lieutenant Colonel David r. Clenden.
In, Eighth Illinois Cavalry.
Inc governments case was in the
hands OF Brigsdier General Joseph
Holt. Judge Advocate OF the Army
assisted by Hon. John A. Bingham, a
Congressman from Ohio, who was an
experienced criminal lawyer, and Col.
onel II. l. Burnett. a young lawyer.
officer assigned to the case by the