The southern press. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1852-04-01
Letter from Hen. Je2oruon Davis.
BRIERrIELD,. MiAs, 18th Feb. 1861.

Messrs BARKsDALE q J0HEs:
Gentlemen Since my communication to YOU
of the I'd inst. in reply 70 accusatieus contained
in published letter Of Governss Foote, he has
sent out, through his organ, some eleven and
three-quarter columns, in continuation Of his
ISLANDERS against myself, and the party Of which
| am proud to be = member If we could be
surprised at any absurdity or corrupt device, on
the part of this man, it might excite astOnish-
ment 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 llst two years"
The Democratic party, true to their previous
declarations and long established principle, sat
peacefully down under tie decision of the peo-
pie when the election was over, |, an humble
member of that party, TO "A no exception TO this
general remark. In an address which made to
the people Of Mississippi in September last, after
my nomination by the Democracy AZ their can
didate for governor, 81 h, in relation to those
great questions, to consider which, a convention
was soon to assemble
g! acquiesce in the decision of the people, the
source OF all power in the State, whatever that
decision may be-"
Aftsr the November election returned to
my secluded home, and to the quiet labors of
plantation life. Here | was not likely to dis
turb his repose, but how did he evince his de-
sire for reposc? He left Mississippi soon after
the November election, and paused ut Mont
gomery, Alabama 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 United States, he 80 far
forgot the obligations of his station, as there
to continue bis slanderous misrepresentation
against large party in the State, and therefore
against the character of 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
public harangue, which, as reported to me,
was more coarse and libellous than might have
been anticipated even from him. In the wide
circle of his malignant abuse, including the ven.
cradle patriot who was Governor of the State
by virtue Of his Office of President of the Senate
some of the purest members of the legislature
with which he was so soon to net in behalf of
the people, and the gentleman who had recent
ly taken his seat, and was the sole representa-
tive Of Mississippi, in the United States Senate
But the character and public usefulness of these,
and other distinguished Democrats, who came
in for their share OF his utilization, 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 assaiment of
others. Scarcely less surprising is the egotism
and insensibility he exhibits in Wanting of his
election, as a victory by which his adversaries
had been put TO r0ut In view of the fact that
he was hindmost of his ticket and many thous-
ands 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 attention to it, might thank
the chance which should catch his brains out"
as giving evidence to the world that he had pos
sessed 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 "unappeased
hatred" Of him. and had made mn attack upon
his sensibities and character" 1t was not his
character, but his want of it, which intended
to exhibit, and would never have attempted to
pierce the impenetrabe shield of his vanity in
search of sensibility which had no reason
to believe was within. | sometimes feel for
him pity, sometimes contempt; but hold him
too light ever to have for him the sentiment of
hate. have noticed him, and do SO now, to
counteract the evil which he might do where less
known, or differently estimated. | have long
been assured that he was secretly engaged in
the dishonorable work which his supposed i'm
portance leads him now more openly to perform,
and fnyt cause to congratulate myself on this
changein his plan of operations. However he
may claim to have abstained from attacks on me
in my absence, no one can fail to be struck with
the readiness with which he produces all the
injurious reports which have been uttered against
me, during my years of political life and most
men must believe, as do, that his mind has
been the general depository if not principal man
ufactory Of them. They have been well pre-.
served, and prove the jealous care of their
keeper will show that they are false; that
at this critics, PERIOD at which he " must be
reelected to the Senate or Defeated" he comes
into the list with poisoned weapons, and should
not be permitted to remain on the field with
honorable competitors.
He says his course in relation to his "caims
as a senatorial candidate" is not quite as bad as
Col. Davis celebrated letter three years ago, to
Mr.. Seares, of Vicksburg, written to be used
among the Wings members of the legislature
or the purpose of obtaining, if possible, their
votes; which letter, every one who read it,
, understood as giving pretty distinct assurance
that the Colonel, if elected, would give more or
less support to the Wings administration then
existing. challenge the publication of this
letter. If it shall ever see the light the Demo
Gratis of the nation will have no difficulty in
determining ,chat sor of a Democrat Colonel
Davis is, and has euer BEEN lie may equivo
cate out of the last clause of the above sentence
italicized though it be. ! therefore take no no
tice of it there, neither will | notice the. date
though it was probably misstated to suggest a
falsehood; but address myself to the mai,
features of his SANDER Mr. Seares was my
personal and political friend, and as little likely
to be selected from any supposed alliance with
the Wing party, as any Democrat of my ac-
quaintance. lie was member of the commits
sion house to which my business was entrusted,
and in frequent correspondence with me. At
a time when great excitement prevailed in rela.
ton to the action of tho federal government on
the subject of slavery, wrote private letter to
Mr.. Searles, and as my memory serves me, at the
close of it. stated my belief that if the "Wilmot
provso" should pass, President Taylor would
check 1t by the executive veto. Though writ
ing to a Democrat, did not doubt he would
receive with satisfaction this assurance and
a L.,,, 4 4