The Trial of Jefferson Davis

Let's say that Booth's plot was more successful, as in he manages to kill Johnson , Seward, and possibly Grant as well. If the plot were to succeed to this extent I think there would be little stopping the Radical Republicans from if not executing Davis on the spot then at least putting him on trial. IOTL Davis wasn't put on trial because of the fear that it might spark a rebellion in the south and would do no good in healing the wounds from the war.

So what I am wondering is what might happen during such a trial? Would Davis be found innocent or guilty of treason? Would the issue of the constitutionality of secession be brought up at all during the trial? What would be the social and political response to what ever verdict is reached?
 

Kaptin Kurk

Banned
It seems we would get President Daniel Clark, of New Hampshire, in this scenario. I don't know much about him, his life, or his views. But a lot of history would depend on him in this scenario...
 
It seems we would get President Daniel Clark, of New Hampshire, in this scenario. I don't know much about him, his life, or his views. But a lot of history would depend on him in this scenario...


Check again.

In April 1865, the President pro-tem was Lafayette S Foster of Connecticut, a Conservative Republican. Probably an excellent interim President, until an election in November 1865 as provided for by the Act of 1792.
 
Davis wanted to be put on trial.

He wanted it in 1861 when he stepped down from his seat in the US Congress to a applause and even weeping from the house. He delayed leaving for Mississippi in the hope of being arrested and being put on trial so he could argue the legal right of the South for secession.

And he would have loved to be able to argue his case in a court of law after the war was over. Not only would it have given some level of legitimacy to his cause by it would have added to his image as the Confederate Martyr clapped in chains in Fort Monroe.
 
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