The weekly Mississippian. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1859-1864, 1860-11-07
A Tribute to Hon. Jefferson Davis by a
Lady,

A kind friend in Alabama has forwarded to
us and placed at our disposal, the following
beautiful and striking portraiture of this dis
tinguished gentleman, conceived in the mind
and drawn by the pen of one of the far ana
patriotic women of Columbus on the occasion
Of his recent visit to that city, renowned no
less Tor its wealth and refinement than Tor the
generosity and hospitality of its citizens
COLUMBUS, Oct Goth, 1860.
o,,r uepalIv ouiet town has this week been
enliyened by the presence Oh our hiustilous
Salesman Jefferson Davis, and | have never
known the coming of any individual to create
s,,cb a nanny sensation. He came at the So
Tc;tation Of our Democratic citizens to address
The nopulace at a barbecue that was held at
our commodious Playground, and appointed
in honor of himself
All nature was. Joyous and beautiful the
autumnaI sun shone resplendently, and the
many Illuminated faces around seemed almost
to vie with its radiance, which, with the mar
tial music, composed scene and gala day but
seldom witnessed in our midst
Col. D., in person, is not only an accom-
plished statesman and noble chieftain, but he
has the brow aud cast Of features that strongly
indicate the profound philosopher, lighted up
with benign winning expression of high
souled philanthropy. He is emphatically
representative man, man to mark conspcu-
ously when such an impending crisis hangs
like threatening pail upon our national hor-
zon; chivalrous, energetic, and decided in his
purposes, with well-poised mind and judg-
ment that points to truth as the needle points
to the pole.
His address, from the beginning to its close,
was replete with original gems of thought
peculiar alone to himself They dropped as
softly as dew and sparkled like diamonds,
making impressions upon the hearts and
minds Of his listeners, as surely as this jewel
penetrates the CLASSY surface when in the
hands of skillful artifcer his voice mean
while falling in modulated cadences as clear
as the tinking of silver bells. never before
saw any political orator enchain so completely
the undivided attention of SO vast an assem-
blage of all classes, ages and cast of party
In many points Of his speech he was truly
pathetic, bringing living dew drops from the
eyes Of veterans that were not wont to weep,
in depicting our Southern wrongs the atroc.
ties that had been already committed, with
the probable oppression in the perilous future
by the iron wheel of Black Republican des-
potism, if elevated to still higher power by
the election of Lincoln. which seems now SO
probable.
was truly delighted to see him with so
much elasticity of frame and temperament,
his health improving, not merely for his per-
sonal comfort, but because Mississippi would
indeed be bereft of her great leader and pilot
amid the present trying and still darkening
storms, if he should fall victim to disease
have heard some speak of him as cold and
austere, scarcely fitted for the social circle be-
cause of his dignified reserve growing out of
his ABSORPTION in national affairs; but OH how
| was charmed to find him, after all his per-
picking cares, precisely the reverse of such q
picture. His noble face beams with light of
radiant benevolence so peculiarly bewitching
to every refined, sensitive nature, full of soul
and sympathy himself, he possesses the rare
faculty of imparting to others his own lofty
impulses. So far from repeling he attracts
even the most timid to his confidence, by his
kindness of nature. Having been trqined in
the military discipline at West Point, he bears
about him the full loftiness of general, with
the courtly graees Of polished gentleman.
1twon my admiration at once to see him at
the conclusion of his speech, moving about so
unbendingly and cordially among his old
friends, and of course contracting new ones,
which will no doubt accumulate fresh charms
of lustre in his future pathway.
His delicate illusions to the departure Of
many of his loyal friends to the silent tomb,
since his former visit, was very touching and
beautiful.
consider him not only our brightest Mis-
sissippi star, but in our Sunny South, and
| tciH say, in all the beautiful combinations Of
traits and accomplishments that cluster about
him, and make up the entirety of his charac-
ter, the greatest in the United States. Would
that all parties might cease their strife, and
struggle together with identified interests, as
one complete brotherhood. under the folds of
such banner as he has ever adopted as his
guide and watchword-oW rights with the
glorious Constitution and protection-underits
] Lars.
| On his visit here Col Davis was surrounded
by many beaming stars; that formed, with
| him at the centre, magnificent constellation.
Their speeches, one and all, made lasting i'm
pressions on our liberal minded population,
and not soon viii the occasion and the accom-
plished actors fade from our memories.
hope our twin sister State, Alabama, will
feel an interest in this sketch. Her destiny
is involved with ours. From a domestic
| hearthstone these sentiments emanate for
why should female hearts not beat warmly to
those who are engaged in the struggle to pro-
tect from ruthless violence, our homes, our
ffreSides and our family affairs