The southern press. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1852-04-01
Letter from Hon. Jefferson Davis.
bkIEkFIELD, MISS IOIH 90. IoUz.
Messrs. BARKsDALE a. JONES:

10 published letter of Governor FoOte, he has
sent out, through his organ, some eleven and
three-quarter columns, in continuation of his
ISLANDERS against myself, aud the party of which
l. m proud to be member. If we could be
surprised at any absurdity or corrupt device, on
the part of this nan, it might excite astonish.
ment that he complains Of a 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
declarations and long established principle, sal
peacefully down under the decision of the PEG.
pie when the election was over, ], an humble
member of that party, form noexception to this
general remark. In an address which made Ia
the people of Mississippi, ia September last after
my nomination by the Democracy as their can
didate for governor, said, in relation to those
great questions, TO consider which, convention
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
plantation life. Here was not likely to dis
turb his repose, but how did he evince his de.
sire for repose! He left Mississippi soon after
the November election, and paused at Mont
gomery, Alabama, from the door of the stranger
to send back his arrows of vtuperation at the
Democratic State Rights party of Mississippi.
In the Senate of the United States, he 40 far
forgot the obligations of his station, rs there
to continue his slanderous misrepresentation
against large party in the State, and therefore
against the character of the State, by virtue OF
whose commission he spoke lie 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 haraDgue, which, rs 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 act 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 vilifcation, cannot be
injured by the venom of common defamer I;
and it is here only referred to as marking the
hollowness and audacity of his complaint that
he is forced into strife by the assalment 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 rout. 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"
rx.xt - L.. L. IL
sessed that within, of which the manifestations
had been too faint to be considered conclusive.
Before proceeding to notice his ar icle, wish
to correct great error into which he has fallen,
in the supposition that / had .unappeased
hatred" Of him, and had made an sattack upon
his sensibilities and character" 1t was not his
character, but his want of it, which int ded
to exhibit, and would never have attempted to
pierce the impenetrab.e shield of his vanity in
search of a sensbility which | had no reason
TO believe was within. | sometimes feel for
him pity, sometimes cont -mpt; but hold him
too light ever to have for him the sentiment OF
hate. | have noticed him, and do so now, tc
counteract the evil which he might do where les,
known, OF differently estimated. | have lon!
been assured that he was secretly engaged Il
the dishonorable work which his supposed i'm
portEs> leads him now more openly to perform
and have cause to congratulate myself on thi
change in his plan Of operations. However h
may claim to have abstained from attacks on mi
in my absence, no one can fai 10 be struck will
the readiness with which he produces all th
injurious reports which have been uttered apains
me, during my years Of political life and mos
men must believe, rs do, that his mind ha
been the general depository if not principal man
ufactory Of them. They have been well pre-
served, and prove the jealous care Of thei
keeper. will show that they are false; tina
at this critical period" at which he must b.
reelected 10 the Senate or defeated" he come
into the list with poisoned weapons, and shout,
not be permitted 10 remain on the field wit
honorable competitors.
He says his course in relation 10 his aelaim
as a senatorial candidate" is not quite as bad a
Col Davis celebrated letter three years ago, 4
Mr. Searles, Of Vicksburg, written to be use,
among the Wings members OF the Legislature
or the purpose Of obtaining, IL possible, thei
votes; which letter, every one who read Il
understood as giving pretty distinct assuranc
that the Colonel, II elected. would give more o
less support TO the Wings administration the
existing. challenge the publication Of thi
letter. IL II shall ever see the light, the Demo
Gratis Of the nation will have no difficulty 4
oelermlnlng Dhdt SOTf W Dem0crdf COlOng
Darts is, and has eper been" lie may eauivo
cate out Of the last clsuse Of the above sentenc,
italicized though il be. therefore take no No
}, iice Of IL there, neither will notice the dat,
though II was probably misstated 10 suggest
falsehood; but address myself TO the mai
features Of his SANDER Mr. Searles was n
personal and political friend, and as little likel
TO be selected from any supposed alliance wit
the Wing party, as any Democrat Of my nc
quaintance. He was a member Of the commits
sion house 10 which my business was entrusted
and in frequent correspondence with me. A
a time when great excitement prevailed in rell
ton 10 the action Of the federal government o
the subject Of slavery, wrote private letter {
Mr.. Searles, and as my memory serves me, at IN
elose OF II, stated my belief that II the @Wimc
proyiso" should pass, President Taylor woul
check il by the executive veto Though wri
ing 70 a Democrat, did not doubt he woul
receive with satisfaction this assurance, and
would not have corespoDded with any man I
whom could not attribute such superiority O
patriotism over partizanship. The only politics
information in the letter was that 10 which