Daily Nashville patriot. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1860-1862, 1861-03-20
from the Livingston faia.J Messenger, March Il
len. Davis a mere Partisan.

We dislike at all times the uugracious task
of censuring public men, but the feeling is
much stronger when we have to condemn the
Executive Of the Southern Confederscy. Mr..
Davis was elevated to his present position,
not by party, but by the people; not be-
cause he entertained political tenet. but
from the belief that he professed high or
der of patriotism and good sense. He enter
ed on the discharge of his duties under most
suspicious circumstances. As he was not
chosen as the representative of party, he
was not hampered by any obligations to par
ty leaders. but was at liberty to select his Off
GERS from among the peopie-thus healing
old feuds and ensuriug the determination of
the Southern people. His appointments have
disappointed the people. and shown that even
Mr.. Davis, with all his prestige. is a mere
partizan. He has plainly shown, that in at
least one essential respect, he Is unequal to
his great station. He cannot rise above the
dead level of a partizan, and become the Ex-
ecutive of people. He must use the power
given to him by the people TO reward and
provide for his own party. LIS that the con-
duct we all locked for in the first President
of the Southern Confederacy' Did We think
we were choosing a mere partiZan to pro-
scribe all who did not belong to his party.
and to dispense rewards to bis parilzans
We thought better THAI this of Jefferson Da-
Wis. Washington pursued a different course,
his cabinet contained Hamilton and Jefferson
rival leaders of the parties of his day. But
Mr. Davis might have had an harmonious
cabinet, and yet have called into it rep
resentatives from all the late parties. On
the great issue there is no difference OF opin-
ion. We are all resolved to stand by the
South. But loyalty to the South capacity
and patriotism are not enough to qualify a
man for Office under President put in power
by the people these are counted as nothing,
unless there is superadded the effulgent quail
ification of having voted for Mr.. Breckin-
ridge. Dare any one deny this? Look at
the appointments made so far by Mr.. Davis.
Who are the men appointed? His cabinet
are not only all Breckenridge men, but they
are poor selections from that party. Bob
Toombs has no more business with the Depart
ment of State, than a jackass in parlor, or
a bull in a china shop, but be possessed two
indispensable requisites-he had served in
Congress with Mr. Davis, and bad voted for
Breckenridge. Qauathsm eu6fca.
Benjamin is foreigner, n Jew, and a poll
teal renegade, but we suspect that his
crowDiDg merit was that he had breathed
the pure and potriOtic air OF Washington
City-the political Sodom. The New Or
leans True Delta publicly and repeatedly
charged Benjamin with completely with Sill
dell in the Houmss land fraud. We suppose
that circumcision will soon become the
fashion again. Mr.. Walker has about as
much capacity for managing tue War De-
pariment, as a minnow has for swallowing
whale. and if we know anything of his his
tory, he has been chronic Office hunter all
his life. Mr.. Walker, we believe, favored
the nomination of JEFF. Davis tor President
last spring. and doubtless owes his selection
for the War Department to that fact. But
lest his partizanship might still be doubted.
Mr.. Davis begs Mr.. 1ancey chief and
demigOd of the Breckenridge party, TO run
his eye over the offices at bis bestOwaI. and
to indicate the office be desired. At least
such is the version of Mr.. Yancey's friends
We have several capital objections TO the
appointments of Mr.. Davis. Firstly, .hey are
all taken from one party, and were bitter
partizEns in that party This was unwise
and unpatriotic in Mr. Davis, and unjust to
the supporters of Mr Bell and Mr.. Douglas
Secondly. most of his appointees, are old
political roUes and schemers, who have been
in Washington to long. Thirdly, the men
are uUsuited to the offices that they have
been called to fill. Bob. looms is a waspish.
impulsive, and inconsiderate fellow, yet he
has the fast office under a new government
requiring universal fitness in its appointees.
We sbrewdiy suspect, that the whole thing
was arranged and perfected before the men
left Washington City. from the election of
JEFF. Davis down to the appointment of l..
P. Walker, bother of Mr Percy and R. ".
Walker. Nothing could be done without
these members of Congress, had the control
of it. That is what we censure Mr. Davis
for. A foolish esprit du corps has governed
him rather than large aud catholic spirit of
noble patriotism He has shown himself to
be mere partizan, rather than a second
Washington.
We do not wish TO see Breckenridge men
prescribed, but We say that Mr.. Davis by Sc
iecting advisers only from that party, has
convicted himself OF being a narrow minded
and implacable partizan, that he has de-
mUnstrated his unfitness for his high posi-
ton. aud put wanton and unjust stigma
on the Bell and Douglas men.