The Dorset County Express and Agricultural Gazette. — 1865-05-30 (Dorchester, Dorset, England)

DORSET COUNTY EXPRESS  TUESDAY, II  - NOTES OF THE WEEK . I.—Tws GA.XZ POUTIOAIri .1111` '.41 out betwixt sow and hilassebass, we Isay, is fairly afoot. "The kiln a up," kills, tabs of au old net** air, Do ilataar of*bat colla,r7  L;u4,44t  ort. 4.4 s  please to take the first fire," and paused for a reply—as we do now at Salisbury. The initiative in the approaching conflict of parties has been taken by Mr. Disraeli in the manifesto which he has issued, and which is taken on all hands to represent the political programme of his party. It comprises an attempt to prove the identity of our recent prosperous public policy in this country with that pursued by the Conservatives when in power in 1858-9, and not only then, but subsequently when in opposition ; and an apology for their extension from office, consisting in the statement that they fell not from pursuing their own policy, but from endeavouring to accommodate themselves to that of others— were ousted in fact on a measure ef Reform which they had no business to propose. A National Church and a balanced Constitution are the war cries raised by the Conservative leader, and in favour of these objects he maintains that the country has determined and is with him, making common cause against dissenters and democrats, countenanced as these last are, and incited, by Ministers. It is long since we knew that Mr. Disraeli had stepped into the terrible , void in the ranks of Churchmanstiip created by , the defection of Mr. Gladstone, and here he is ' following up his vantage, in the ground taken, in his memorable speech at Oxford. Recognising as we do in the Church the great bulwark of British safety, we say, certainly, first of all let the Ark of the Covenant be defended, and let our confidence be given to the man who sets that great purpose most prominently forward—be he Mr. Disraeli or any other. Observe we do not know that Mr. Disraeli can accuse Ministers of conspiring against the Church and Constitution, but so far as Mr. Gladstone is concerned there have undoubtedly been recent Ministerial utterances that menaced both.  11. —THE GREAT TACT which startles us this week comes from America. It is the capture of Jefferson Davis. Hunted down in the far west he has been brought a prisoner to Washington and lodged in Fort Lafayette. It is sad to think that in the exultant vengeance of the moment the United States' Government may sully their hands in this man's blood; for if they do, they must forfeit the amity of civilized nations, and be prepared, like the ancient Ithmaelites, to find their nand raised against every man, and every man's hand raised against them. We mention the worst surmise in reference to the conduct to be pursued towards Davis, but we entertain the most sanguine hope that it may not be realised. Indeed, whether at the time he could have heard of his recent rival's capture, or could so much as have anticipated its accomplishment, we know not, but President Johnson has so far evinced indications that punishment will not be carried to the rigour of extremity against Mr. Davis. He has in truth announced that it has been discovered, the American Attorney-General was wrong in regard to the alleged evidence of Jefferson Davis's complicity in the late President's assassination, and as good as acquitted him of conspiring to murder Mr. Lincoln. Still the trials, no longer conducted in secret, are now in progress, wherein the indictment preferred against the accused is that of conspiracy with Jefferson Davis, Cleary, and others, enumerated in our last, to murder President Lincoln in the interests of the Southern Confederacy. The press has now been allowed access to these trials, which are fully reported daily, and the suppressed evidence too has been published; so that there is every appearance at all events, of a desire to afford the accused the show and semblance of a fair trial, if not the thing itself, and to stand well with the world and its constructions upon the hitherto arbitrary actions of a military, if not a despotic sway. Now, if Jefferson Davis is not to receive equally fair play with the mil,orea.nts on trial, some of whom are assassins and conspirators beyond a doubt, the foulest blot will be inflicted on the American reputation, and posterity view with abhorrence the want of moderation evinced over a prostrate foe.  _• _ _ Ae• p\ AP N -° • - .1.4 • • -0\ /0  11414:17 , • • • .•