New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1854-04-22
GOVERNOR DAVIS.

The death Of Gov Davis OF Massachusett is an event
which we cannot pass over in silence la addition to
the brief bioe aphca sketch of his life which pub
lished yesterday, impeed to testify respect
for The eminent talents and elevated character Of that
distinguished and most worthy man. As Governor Of
bis native State aud as one OF her Representatives 10
Congress he had no small share is establishing for her
the distinction of the model Commonwealth" 10
one or The other of these capacities he served his Ssa
for twenty -four years. And during the whole of that
long period though it ILLUSTRATED by the of
some Of the greatest that Massachusetts, has pro-
ducee prolific though she bias been in of emf
Dence-nO one bad more decided hold upon popular
affection and esteem than John Davis.
Unlike many public men of note in Massachusetts,
sDkas, Gov Davis never especially devoted himself to
the cultivation of letters. 1t was part of his anb
tOn to read either Latin or Greek for the purpose Of
quoting it, That small style of literary distraction, in
vogue in the Bay State had charms for his large aud
vigorous understanding. He was q man of earnes.
thought, Of comprehensive scope of mind OF steady
and unerriDg judgment, of bhexible integrity, and
answering decision of character He was rather dis
tpgushed as man Of large general powers than
eminent writer or brilliant taker Yet for clearness
VI etoiSmcu', IoVuet stutc, huu powerful Oglc,
speeches will bear favorable comparison with any
delivered in Congress during the long term of his pub
lie service. His tariff speeches especially, in their
facts, figures and logic are models of instructive and
inyulnerable augmentation. And to his speeches in
Congress was accorded always this emphatic testmo-
Iisl: They were always attentvAy lis ened to, and
their positions seldom assailed. Never speak
ing for the sake of speaking but always because he
had something to say which demanded utterance and
challenged regard be uniformly commanded the strict.
attention of his auditors
But Il is as an honest independent, fearless public
man, that We chiefly desire to speak of Gov Davis
and 10 bear our emphatic testimony to HE sterling
worth. 'cl, cautious, conservative in his general
tone OF mind, perhaps he failed at times TO win the
quick approval of the ardent and enthusiastic But
il be was sometimes slow to move when Ire did move,
he always moved in the right direction He never was
csjOled or seduccd corrupted into any crooked
ways. His path was broad aud STRAIGHTFORWARD, and
always illumned by the light of manly intellect and
uIquestiODed honesty of purpose No mar had clearer
views IN all public emergencies and man ever more
faithfully followed his convictions Conciliatory in
temper moderate and circurnpsct in action, occasions
yet arose In bis public career when upon anpoItan.
questions be found standing and voting alone and
in opposition to the no,t cherished relations In the
great contest Of 1850, in the preliminary skirmi.hes
OF the two years which led to it. and in all the d
and Incidental conflicts that grew out of it, John Davis
Was the fearless and uafnchDg friend and leader in
the cause of freedom. He of the earliest and
most resoute Of the supporters of Gen Taylor policy
on the Territorial question and Of the most con-
spicuouss irhe1ibe opponents of the Fooe adjust
"ments," known as the Compromises of 1850. Gov.
Davis was one Of the few eminent men in Congress
who could never be alarmed o. shaken BY the
periodical threats Of secession and dissolution which
have AZ various times d.fgured the annals of our o
cal history. Sober and measured as he always Was In
lis public conduct and in his comments upon public
affairs, he yet never hesitsted to deride and conemn
the bvgbear apprehensions which some of our dis
tDsushed men were won't to hsbituslly express re
spectiDg the great fragliiy of this Union, and the
great necessity of compromising to it. crisis
such could be got up By little fellows like Foo.e OF
the more formidable movements of Calhoun Aot
4 McnUfhe while /. Occasoned grave concern o. tht
cart Of Statesmen OF tiuid nerves Or Of those who's,
fterests were promoted by nisnil. ng ii, never Us