The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1861-02-22
Sketch of the Hon. JEFF. Davis, Presi-
dent OF the ''Southern Republic.'


dent Of the sS0uthern Republic.''
Few men have led a life more filled with
stirring and eventful incidents than JEFF.
ferson Davis. A native of Kentucky,
born about 1906, he went in early youth
with his father to Mississippi, then ter.
ritory, and was appointed by President
Monroe in 1922 to be cadet at West
Point. He graduated with the first honors
in 1928 as Brevet Second Lieutenant, and
at his own request was placed in active SER
vice, being assigned to the command of
General (then ColoneD Zachary Taylor,
who was stationed in the west. In the
frontier wars of the time young Davis dis
tinguished himself in such manner that
when a new regiment of dragroons was
formed he at once obtained commission as
first lieutenant. During this time roman
tic attachment sprang up between him and
his prisoner, the famous chief Black Hawk,
in which the latter forgot his animosity to
the people of the United States in his ad
miration for Lieutenant Davis, and not un-
til his death was the bond of amity severed
between these two brave men.
In 1885 he settled quietly down upon a
cotton plantation, devoting himself to
thorough and systematic course of political
and scientific education. He was married
to daughter of Gen. Taylor.
In lS43 he took the stump for Polk, and
in lS45, having attracted no little attention
in his state by his vigor and ability, he was
elected to Congress. Ten days after be made
his maiden speech. Soon the Mexican war
hrol,a opl IF r,to
having been formed in Mississippi, and HIM
self chosen Colonel, he resigned his post in
Congress, and instantly repaired with his
command to join the corps d'arm,e under
Gen. Taylor. At Monterey and Buena
Vista lie and his noble regiment achieved
the soldiers highest fame. Twice by bis
GOODNESS be saved the day at BueDa Vista.
Wherever fire was hottest or danger to be
encountered, there Col. Davis and the Mis-
sissipi rifles were to be found. He was
badly wounded ia the early part of the ac.
ton, but sat on his horse steadily till the day
was won, and refused to delegate even
portion of his duties to his subordinate off
GERS.
In 1848 he was appointed to fill the va
caDcy in the Senate of the United States
occasioned by the death of General Speight,
and in 1880 was elected to that body almost
unanimously for term of eight years.
In 1851 be resigned his seat 10 the Senate
to become the State rights candidate for
Governor but was defeated by Governor
Foote.
In 1853 be was called to seat iu the
Cabinet of President Pierce, and was Sec
retarY of War during his administration. In
1857 be was elected United States Senator
from Mississippi for the term of six years,
which Office he held until his resignation on
the secession Of Mississippi from the Union.
Personally, he is the last man who would
be selected as "fre cater" He isa prip,
smooth looking man, with precise manner,
stiff soldierly carriage, and an austerity
that is at first forbiddiDg He has naturally,
however, a genial temper, companionable
qualities and disposition that endears him
to all by whom he may be surrounded. AS
speaker, be is clear, forcibIe and argumen-
tative; his voice is clear and firm, without
tremor, and he is one in every way fitted
for the distinguished post to which he has
been called. ..
SOUTH CAROLINA ARGUMENT.-Purely