The Yazoo Democrat., 1852-03-10
Letter from jefferson Davis
BRIERFIELD, Miss, 10th Feb, 1852.

of the End inst, in reply to accusations contain
d in published letter of Gov. Foote, he has
sent out, through his organ, some eleven and
three quarter columns, in continuation of his
SANDERS against myself and the party of which
am proud to be member. II we could be
surprised at any absurdity or corrupt device on
the part of this man, it might excite astonisE-
mant that he complains of disappointed hope
of repose which he had expected to enjoy after
the painfully protracted contest which has oc-
cured In our midst within the last two years.
The democratic party, true to their previous de-
clarations and long established principle, sat
peacefully down under the decision of the peo-
pie when the election was over. /, an humble
member of that party, form no exception to this
general remark In an address which made to
to the people of Mississippi, in September last,
after my nomination by the Democracy as their
candidate for Governor, / said, in relation to
those great questions, to consider which, con
vention was soon to assemble
81 acquiesce in the decision of the people, the
source of all power in the State, whatever that
decision may be"
After the November election, returned to my
secluded home, and to the quiet labors of plan
tation life. Here l was not likely to disturb his
repose but how did he evince his desire for peace
He left Mississippi soon after the November
election, and paused at Montgomery. Ala, from
the door of the stranger to send back his arrows
of vituperation at the Democratic State Rights
party of Mississippi. In the Senate of the Uni
ted States, he SO far forgot the obligations of his
station, as there to continue his slauderous mis-
representations against large party in the State,
and therefore against the State, by virtue of
whose commission he spoke. He returned to
Mississippi, and on the evening of his arrival at
the seat of Government, being the day before
his Inauguration as Governor of the State, made
a public harangue, which, as reported to me, was
more coarse and libelloos than might have been
anticipated even from him. In the wide circle
of his malignant abuse, including the venerable
latriot who was Governor of the State by vir-
tue of his office of President of the Senate, some
of the purest members of the Legislature with
which he was soon to act in behalf of the people,
and the gentleman who had recently taken his
seat, and was the sole representative of Missis-
sippi in the United StatesSenate. But the char
ac.er and public usefulness of these and other
distinguished democrats, who came in for their
share of his villification, cannot be injured by
the venom of common defamer; and it is here
only referred to as marking the hollowness and
audacity of his complaint that he is forced into
strife by the assailment of others. Scarcely less
surprising is the egotism and insensibility he
exhibits in vaunting of his election, as victory
by which his adversaries had been put to route
In view of the fact that he was hindmost of his
ticket and many thousands in rear of the vote
his party had given but two months before, most
men would have left that point untouched. And
he who is stupid enough to attract public atten-
ton to it, might thank the chance which should
catch his " brains out" as giving evidence to the
world that he had possessed that within, of
which the manifestations had been too faint to
be considered conclusive.
Before proceeding to notice his article, / wish
to correct great error into which he has fallen,
IN the supposition that had unappeasabIe ha-
Ired" of him, and had made an attack upon his
sensiblities and character" 1t was not his char
acter, but his want of it, which l intended to
exhibit, and would never have attempted to pierce
he nnpenetrable shield of his vanity in search
If sensibility which had no reason to believe
was within. | sometimes feel for him pity, some
lines contempt; but hold him too light ever to
nave for him the sentiment of hate. have no.
iced him, and do so now, to counteract evil
which he might do where less known, or diffe
sntly estimated have long been assured that
le was secretly engaged in the dishonorable work
which his supposed importance leads him now
more openly to perform, and have cause to con-
,ratulate myself on this change in his plan of
operations. However he may claim to have alb
stained from attacks on me in my absence, no
me can fail to be struck with the readiness with
which he produces all the injurious reports which
lave been uttered against me, during my years
# political life; and most men must believe, S
do, that his mind has been the general deposit
ory und principal mandatory of them. They
ave been well preserved, and prove the jealous
are of their keeper. L will show that they are
alse; that this g critical period" at which he
must be reelected to the Senate or defeated"
e comes into the list with poisoned weapons,
nd should not be permitted to remain on theI
eld with honorable competitors.
He says his course In relation to his g claims |
5 a senatorial candidate" is not quite as bad as
oil Davis celebrated letter three years ago to |
Ir. Searles, of Vicksburg, written to be used
nong the whig members of the Legislature, for
le purpose of obtaining, if possible, their votes
hich letter, every one who read it, understood
giving pretty distinct assurance that the Col
nel. if elected, would give more or less sup