The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1861-02-11
SKETCHES OF THE ELECT.


for the next four years at the present moment espe
cially apropos.
Few men have led life filed with stirring
eventful incidents than Jefferson Davis. A native
of Kentucky, born about 1906, he went in
early youth with his father to Mississippi,
then Territory, and was appointed by President Mon
roe in 1922 to be cadet at West Point He graduated
with the first honors in 1928 as Breve Second Leute
nant and at his request was placed in active
vice. being assigned to the command of General (then
ColoneD Zachary Taylor who stationed ia the West
In the frontier OF the time young Davis dstin-
guished himself in so marked manner that when
new regiment Of dragons was formed he at once OBJ
tanned commission as first lieutenant. During this
time a romantic attachment sprang up between
him and his prisoner the famous chief Black Hawk, in
which the latter forgot his anmosy to the people of the
United States in his admiration for Lieutenant Days,
between the two brave men.
In 1885 he settled quietly down upon cotton panta-
ton, devoting himself to thorough and systematic
course Of political and scientific education. He was
married to daughter OF Gen. Taylor.
In 1S43 he took the stump for Polk, and in
1s45, having attracted no little attention in his
State by his vigor and ability, he elected to
Congress Ten days after he made his maiden speech
Soon the Mexican war broke out, and regiment OF
volunteers having been formed in Mississippi and himself
chosen Colonel he resigned his post in Congress- and in
stanty repaired with his command to join the corps
darmee under General Taylor AT Monterey and Buena
Vista he and his noble regiment achieved the
soldiers highest fame. Twice by his GOODNESS he
saved the day at Buena Vista. Wherever fire was
hottest danger to be encountered, there Colonel
Davis and the Mississippi Rifles to be found.
He badly wounded in the early part OF the action
but sat his horse steadily till the day won, and
refused delegate portion Of his duties his
subordinate officers.
| In 1sas he was appointed to fill the vacancy in the
Senate Of the United States occasoned by the death
General Speght and in 1850 elected 10 that body
almost unanimously for the term of six years.
In 1851 he resigned his seat in the Senate to become
the State rights candidate for Governor, but de
feated by Governor Foote.
In 1853 he was called TO a seat In the
Cabinet of President Pierce, and Secretary or War
during his administration. In 1857 he elected
United States Senator from Mississippi for the term Of
years. which Office he held until his resignation the
secession Of Mississippi from the Union.
Personally, he la the last who would be selected a.
"hre-eater," He Ia prim, smooth looking man with
precise manner stiff sodierly carriage and austor
ty that lie at first forbdding. He has naturally however
genia temper, companonablc qualities and a DISPOSE
tion that endeaIs him to all by whom he may be sur
tave his voice is clear and firm without tremor and he
one in every way fitted for the distinguished pos, to
which he has been called.
HON. ALEXANDER II. STEPHENS, OF GEORGIA. VICE
PRESIDENT.
This gentleman liz known throughout the Union as one
Of the most prominent Of Southern politicians and eo-
quent orators. His father, Andrew b. Stephens, was
planter OF moderate means and his mother Margaret
Grier) sister to the famous compiler Of Grier's
almanacs. She died when he infant leaving him
with four brothers and one sister, Of whom only one
brother survives.
MI stephens was born in Georgia on the 18th
Of February, 1872 When in his fourteenth year
lis father died, and the homestead being gold, his
share OF the entire estate was about five hun
bred dollars. With a commendabe Anglo-Saxon love
Of his ancestry Mr. stephens has since repurchased
the original estate which comprised about two hundred
and fifty acres, and has added - It about six hundred
more. Assisted by friends he entered the University
u Georgia in 1925 and in 1852 graduated the head
his opss In 1854 re- commenced the study OF the aw
and in lcss then twelve months was engaged in
one Of the r.ss important cases in the country
His coquence hs rad powerful effect upon jurics
enforcing as II arguments or admirable simplicity
and legal weight. From 1897 to 1870 he a member
Of the Georgia Legislature In 1872 he elected 10 tho
State Senate, and in lSi3 was elected To Congress lie
was member Oh the wing party IN It's p"nicst days,
but since its dissolution has acted with the ea Of the
South, and such has been the upright, stotIfast
aud patriotic policy he has pursued that no one
in the present Of faction, sellshncss suspicion
has whispered accusation Of selfish motives
or degrading ntrgues against him. Ia the House ne
served prominently on the most mportant committee
a, ooa,,, a.. -. = - -. -, 81,
iNN ''oo''" euo Pa'A'be VI INC hAhs's NepiekA OH
through tie House IL time when rs warnosi friends
despaircd of Fucsest VI, was stbs.a,ertv ,,,,i.t
-, = ~ "Vi'NN' "PPV"0'
t"h "a INC '0Mi''ee On ltFI'ofiest ana was also
chairman o. The special committee 70 which was fcos.
various measures he has, from time 10 tino excited s
ire OF many OF the southern poopc but he has att