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This newspaper page contains 16 articles. Subscribers can read the full text of each article.
Newspaper
Wooster Republican
Location
Wooster, Ohio, United States of America
Date
May 18, 1865
Page
3
A Confederate tone pervades a Wayne County Democrat piece accusing Copperheads and Northern Democrats of treason and murder. It cites Vallandigham and Booth connections, quotes Chicago Convention speeches, and claims calls for assassination and rebellion against Lincoln and the Union.
The article argues the Lincoln assassination was encouraged by threats from both Confederate foes and Northern copperheads. It cites a speaker who warned Lincoln would be struck down by ballot or by bullet and asserts such rhetoric spurred the assassin a month after Lincoln's second inauguration.
Official dispatches report the capture of Jeff Davis and his wife at Irwinsville. Davis dressed in his wife’s clothes was mistaken for a woman at first but revealed boots over a fence. He drew a bowie knife then yielded to a revolver. Mrs Davis warned soldiers not to irritate him. Davis and allies are surrounded in Georgia and likely unable to escape. Davis will be sent to Washington for trial on charges including conspiracy to assassinate Mr. Larcoux.
The editorial turns on Ohio law requiring county commissioners to levy a tax to liquidate unpaid bounties to Civil War volunteers. It argues 1865 law makes payment obligatory and accuses Democratic officials of withholding funds, citing history from Chickasaw Bayou to 1865 enforcement to compel payment.
The speaker vows not to cover the past four years and to pursue retribution. The grand jury indicts Democratic leaders for treason complicity and promises trial and punishment. Slavery treason and modern Democracy are condemned as the nation seeks disenthrallment and pacification of the Union.
The officers composing the Military Court for the trial of conspirators in President Lincoln's assassination include Major-General David Hunter President Major-General Lew Wallace Brevet Major-General A V Kautz Brigadier General A P Howe Brevet Brigadier General R H Foster Brevet Brigadier General C B Comstock Brigadier Generals T W Harris Brevet Colonel Horace Porter Lieutenant Colonel D R Clendenin 8th Illinois Cavalry Hon John A Bingham Colonel H S Burnet of Ohio Judge Advocates
The slave aristocracy failed to gain support to seek gradual emancipation or reinstall leaders. A Schofield proclamation declared immediate emancipation in North Carolina. Governor Vance returned home, and the slavery question is deemed settled, influencing other issues.
The article argues that national debt signals national strength and credit. It traces Britain's rising debt from 1692 through 1816, cites Hume and Macaulay, and asserts the United States can match or exceed Britain, highlighting vast resources, untapped wealth, and the merit of U S Treasury notes with 7.3 percent interest as superior to British Consols.
A Pittsburgh Commercial copy portrays Jeff Davis in disguise in a petticoat, mocking his Confederate leadership. The piece ridicules his disguise, claims fear of magnanimity, and jokes about the knotty political fall from power. It questions his actions and fate with satirical venom.
A Northern editor accuses Davis Thompson and Cray of directing Confederate plotters in Canada to attack the United States. It asserts Davis authorized Thompson Cray Saxpres and others to raid burn and kill, citing St Albans Vermont and planned attacks on New York and Philadelphia. The piece denounces treason, condemns mob violence, and condemns mercy for the alleged conspirators.
Report states conspirators on trial in Washington are heavily ironed with ankle bars, leg chains and a six foot chain with a fifty pound ball, plus arm restraints. A padded cotton cap covers most of the head and face. Mrs Surratt is only ironed at the ankle while Dr Mudd is not ironed.
The Cleveland Herald declares Jefferson Davis the instigator and embodiment of treason for Lincoln’s assassination. It labels him the chief accomplice to Booth and predicts a treason trial, portraying Davis as the leader behind a vast conspiracy and the greatest criminal.
The Tennessee Legislature authorized a $5,000 reward for Ishman G Harris for his alleged impersonation of the governor and postings of bogus proclamations. Governor Brownlow issued a proclamation describing Harris as a traitor and fugitive, detailing his appearance, crimes, and flight risk, and directing that he be delivered alive to justice in Mississippi, Alabama, or Georgia.
A correspondent urges Major General J D Cox of Trumbull County as the best successor if Governor Brough does not seek re election. The letter praises Coxs civil and military service, character and leadership, calling Ohio worthy of his prudent, firm governance and wartime experience. FIAT JUSTITIA.
General Wilson reports the capture of Jefferson Davis and key aides at Irwinville Georgia on May 10. Davis tried to flee in his wife’s clothes pursued by Col. Pritchard’s Michigan Cavalry. Postmaster General Regan and staff were captured. pursuit details describe a brief clash with misidentified Union troops and Davis’s surrender to a pistol.
Minutes of the Military Court show Arnold contesting its jurisdiction in a peace era and seeking separate trial. The defendants face a conspiracy charge dating March 6 to April 15, 1865, to murder Lincoln, Johnson, Seward, and Grant, naming Surratt Booth Davis and others. The court debated witness presence and record objections as testimony continued.
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