***There were a few exceptions like Jefferson Davis***
Davis rejected a pardon and demanded a treason trial. Salmon P. Chase refused to give him one as he feared Davis might prove that secession was legal and the Union the aggressor.
Twenty staunch abolitionists each gave $5000($100000 total)in gold coin to obtain Davis’ release from prison. Among those donating were Horace Greeley and Cornelius Vanderbilt.
Great info!
“Salmon P. Chase refused to give him one as he feared Davis might prove that secession was legal and the Union the aggressor.”
Chase may have had ulterior motives in not wanting a trial.
He would have been the presiding judge. He was also running for the Democratic nomination for President of the United States. Had he presided over a trial that convicted Davis of treason, how much support from Democrats’ would he have gotten for his run for the nomination.
A few years later, Chase would find that the secession of Texas was Unconsitiutional, in the case White v. Texas.