Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1853-1862, 1861-11-09
PERSONAL ArPrARlNcE or raE NAN.

If unprompted, you would not single out Jeffer-
son Davis from crowd as a man of mark. If
your attention was called TO him. and your opinion
of his character desired indicated by his
sonal appearance, you would remark but quiet,
middle aged gentleman, with dignifed bearing
which seemed to originate from rectitude of inten-
ton, and expression of face that yeu could trust
and frame attenuated, apparently by precarious
health. You would ascribe to him quietude of
life, which neither gasped for wealth grappled
with poverty which never wrestled with turmoil,
and yet had come just so much in contact with his
fellows as to smooth down all asperities and polish
off those rough angles, which designate the IN
familiar with the social world. A closer obserVs-
tionmight induce the decision that he was man to
be approached with assurance on truthful and
deserving matter but better left alone if sought
with duplicity, or on theme unworthy.
But the hero of the battle you would not discern;
the fra, strong spirit, which rening the ardor of
the fiery Missssippians disciplined their impetuous
zeal, and at the needful moment hurled their thun
dering proves the astounded and scattered foe.
You would not perceive the great all grasping IL
tellect, which nation confidently trusts with its
newborn destiny, deeming that where he fosters,
all will 60 as well as shire wdness faithfulness in
compatibility, the love of mans highest interest
and the fear OF God, can enable human being to
shape destinies whose moulding is divine. You
could not guess that swayng oratory which plainly
and quietly tells you familiar truths, but with that
deep-toned accent and trembling pathos which be
tTaying the depth TO which the speakers heart is
stirred. awakes thrill responsive in your own.
But when you know that before you is Jefferson
Davis the President of our young Confectionery
how you study every word, tone, and action by
them seeking to divine the character upon whose
skill depends the guidance of our ship of State to
fair harboT Or leave it to drift on trescAerous
shosls.
His dress is a beaver hat with a suit of black or
grey. His evening ride is soon after four O'Clock
dinner and crowds often congregate to see him
mount his horse, which he sits and rides WELL
though one might fancy from his delicate appear
ance that he would eschew craftsmanship as too faS
tguing an exercise. These crowds often cheer him,
sometimes call for a speech; but his utmost &C.
acknowledgement of these demonstrations, which he
neither seeks nor can avoid, Is the slightest lifting
of his hat, as If courtesy prompted less and am
bltiOn suggested no more. On other occasions hen
called Tor by an Idle or curious crowd If he has any
thing to say, and the occasion seems opportune he
never hesitates ard the esrnestness Of his manner
impresses the matter Of this theme But that frothy
elocudon, which, in play of fine words, seeks to
amuse the ear and cater to the teasing appetite of
greedy populace, he leaves to others while he is
either devODg his energies to the cares of State or
trying to renew his yigor by an interval of rest
s HIS HABITS or BUsNEss-EFFECrs.
Despite his delicate frame, his business toll must
be very great. On the morning of his arrival at
Richmond from Montgomery, after korrid trip
on the cars, and neither stopping by night nor by
day, he was ina few hours surrounded by papers,
and alone in his parlor hard at work, when one
would have supposed his necessities would have
compelled him to seek his Jed. The consequence
was that in one weeks time his indominable ener-
gy and capacity has projected new and unthought
of points for fertilization had ordered new sur
Veys, and impaired such vgor and activity to the
Department, as promised what it performed, the
holding of the enemy in check at the precise point
where his enterance into Virginia found him.
The rebound Of feeling IN Virginia was very no.
noticeable Avggue apprehension of danger which
had previously prompted the citizens to fly, they
knew not where, was soon succeeded by conf
dent security which esteemed Richmond the safest
place in the Confederacy.
THE RECOGNIZED CHAMPIONS.
We have in our President man whose face wins
to truthfulneSs In his truth faithfuness and that
high-toned honor which will permit no excuse to
justify himself in emitting or committing anything
detrimental to the cause of which he consents to
accept the responsibility. We have more & hero
tried in the ordeal Of battle statesman who has
successfully filled the most responsible position
and man whose honor and ambition has been SO
thoroughly tested, as to be deemed incorruptible
even by the men who hate him, AMI who, from the
ranks of the Northern enemy, gladly would if they
could, insert the poisoned dart Of calumny in any
flaw OF his iHvulnerable coat of mall if any, to their
shrewd search, could possibly DO found visible
These trying times, and the trust necessarily
reposed in chief is sufficient to fill our souls
with apprehension if there is the least doubt of his
prO6ity that we have no doubt of Davis shows US
the chosen champion whmo heay en- has graciously |
granted as our trusted leader in these peyilousl
times when right holds her desperate grRpple with
might, in endeavOring TO retain our bood-bought |
freedsm and righteous laws.