[4CJ]

In the end perhaps it was an excuse to drop the whole matter and get on with the task of putting the southern rebellion behind us, but to call it invalid or bogus is wrong.

I do think that was part of the intent. But if you were unjustly accused of a crime, how far would you go to clear your name? To me, whatever it took. Davis was in jail, he wasn't in any position to hold any office. Until the trial was over and Davis released to actually hold office the 14th did not punish him. And a trial to prove his innocence is what Davis wanted. And a proof of innocence was the one thing the US could not allow.

[Non-Sequitur]

But if you were unjustly accused of a crime, how far would you go to clear your name?

If he were unjustly accused then why were his lawyers all for taking the proposal that Chief Justice Chase held out regarding the 14th Amendment? They apparently were not as sure of an innocent verdict as you, or so hell-bent on martyrdom as Jefferson Davis.