The constitutional union., 1861-02-22
JEFFERSON DA VIS.
We take the following biographical sketch of this eminent statesman from The Missis- sinpan:

sippian:
 Jefferson Davis. who has just been chosen President of the Southern Confectionery, was \ born June 3, 1908, in what is now Todd county, Kentucky. While yet an infant, his father. Samuel Davis, a revolutionary soldier in Georgia. removed to Mississippi and set tied in Wilkinson county. Jefferson Davls was sent at the usual age to Pennsylvania col lege. Kentucky, from which he was transfer red in 1924 to the Military Academy at West Point, which he left in 1928 with the breYeI appointment of second lieutenant. He was in the army about seven years, and d!stin- euished himself in active service on the " est ern frontiers, in the Black Hawk and other Indian wals. With the rank of lst leutcn- ant of dragoons, he resigned out ot the army in 1885 He then returned to MIsslsslpp and became a planter in Warren county where he lived in rcsilcmcntuntllabout lS44, when lie first took all active part i'll politics as a i cm0crat
 Ills fist appearance as public speaker was at d ba becuc n Warren county, Ill answer to tlc celcbratel s. $. prcntiss. On that ccca- sion he sustainel msclf with such ability and boic himself with such galantry against a nan who was legarced as sort or Napolc-
 
 on of stump oratoly on the Whi@ side of pol- tics. that he at once attracted general atten- ton. and was soon earnestly desiderated by the Democratic masses as champion of i C. mocracv From that moment lie became the Bayard of the Mississippi Democracy leader without fear and lcpIpach-a leader equally sagacious and ntrepld-a leader whom none knew what that thing Was of which he was afraid, unless dishonor-a leader who shrank from no fair and open con- test. aud who never came from battle with a lowered crest or a su.licd cscutchcon.
 In l844 Jefferson Davis was chosen one of the Presidential electors of Mississippi, i'll which capacity he voted for Polk and Dallas. In the succeeding year he was nominated by the Democratic party of his State as caudI- date for Congress, was elected, and took his seat in that body in December
 1 While in Congress he was foremost among the members who assisted to organize the War against Mexico, and in July, l646, when the lst regiment of Mississippi volunteers was en- rolled for service in Mexico lie was elected its ! Colonel, when he left his seat in the House, and joining his regiment, led it to reinforce the army of General Taylor on the Rio Grande His service, in the army are hence forth matter of history. from his conspicuous participation in the capture of Monterey to lis brilliant exploit at Bucna Vista His conduct on this last field has been alike the theme of admiration to military criticism and to martial patriotism. Equally skilHul and inIcIid. hIs regiment attacked by an im- mcnscly superior force, which they rcrcl!cd unsupported and he himself, though wounded, remained in the saddle until the enemy was beaten. he was acknowledged to have decided the fate of the day, and Was warmly mention ed by General Taylor for his remarkable dis play of cooncss and gallantry. It was just after that action that General Taylor, whose daughter Colonel Davis had married under circumstances displeasing to her father, con scntcd to be rcconci!cd to his long repud;atcd sou-n-law.
 On the return of his regiment in J.ly, 1S47, Colonel Day.s Was tcAdclcl the af- ro.ntmcut Of brigad;cg-gencra ot volunteers. which he declined on the ground that the
 States and not the Federal Government had the right to appoint the officers of the militia.
 lie Was appointed by tAc Governor of Misss- sippi. in the same yc3r, to fill a vacancy in the United States Scua,c and WAS attezWard unanimously cIeced by the Mississippi Lc .,is- laturc for the remainder of tie term, which expired March I, 1851.
 in September l65l Colonel Davis re- signed hls seat as Senator on beng nominated for Governor by the secession wing of the r Democratic party in opposition to Henry $.
 Fo0tc. the Union candaa;c and Was beaten by majority Of only g90 votes, although the mon ]arty went into the field w.,h q majority of i2UJU votes as nIiclteI by the cJnYentlon election short time before
 Colonel Days Was in retirement, then until 1852, when he lenae cd effective seiy.cc on the stump for Gen. b.c.ce IS Democratic can- !. dIdatc Tor President Appor'cl to the War sl Department by llcsideu. Iclce. lie cJnt.nU- Fel n that position untl tAc inauguration ot .AIr. Buchanan in lSjT And 1t may bc | aately sad, no doubt, that no head of that de- partmGnt ever adminis,cr crcl it with more abil- lty, discrimination and energy. No previous Administration had been sJ fruitful oI ulic.- ous changes, and wholesome improvements He revised the army rc gulatlons he intro duccd light infantry or the rife system of tactics he caused the manufacture of rihcd muskets and pistols, and the use of the Minnie ball he introduced the addition of four egi- ments to the army. and organ.zel cavalry service peculiarly adapted to the wants of the country he augmented the sea-coast and 2 frontier defense Of the country, and had the } western part of the continent explored foI scientific geographical and railroad purposes Col. Davis Was elccteI to the Senate by the Mississippi Legislature in 1856, before lis re- tmemcnt from the War Dcpartment He again entered the Senate, therefore, in 1857 for the term ending the 4th of March, 1863 His State having seeded from the Union in the early part of last month, Col Davis, on
 being apprizel of tho fact, withdrew from that body, and announced his withdrawal in a brief address of characteristic loftiness of f tone, manlness of sentiment and decision ol uttcrancc.
 In testimony of the confidence which his constituents reposed in him, the Mississippi Convention elected Col Davis Major,GeneraI , of the army of the State, and also transferred him to the Senate of the Southern Confede racy. The duties of the former position, he devoted himself to- as a member of the mil tary board, immediately on his return from the scene of his labors in Washington city , It was while engaged upon the task of organ Il