Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1863-03-19
From the Fayetteville 0hs'r yer.
President Jefferson, Davis.

to some review again the history Of Chief Magis
| tlate.
| Jtferson Davis was born in Christian county, BY,
in 1905 and while infant moved to Mississippi With
bis father Samuel Davis, who had been revolutionary
soldier He entered Pennsylvania University at Lex
| ngton Ky, but left without finishing the course and
went to West Point in l624, where he graduated in
1927, No. % in class of 33 members. He remained
in tie Us. Army till l635-beng the seven years re-
| quired to serve after leaving West Point "h"n he
resigned and engaged in planting. He vas "a Lieu
tenant in Infantry from 1928 to 1888 LIST lieutenant
I in Dragons from 1888 to 1885 and was AdjUtant OF
Draa and served in the Qu9rJermaser Department
at different times He served in some OF t e Indian
Wars and is said to have captured the celebrated Back
| Hawk. In 1914 he Presidential Eocor On the
| Democratic ticket 10 Mississippi 1845 he mem
Der of the U. S. Congress, ard about the time
defeated for Governor; in SAG he made so o.
the lst Regiment Nj iss Vol (ISies in whico capacity
he served in the Mexican War. He displayed much gal
antry and skill in xico, aud severely wounded
one occasion While in Mexico in l947 be tend red
the appointment OF Rrieadier General but decGed IT,
and in the same year he was appointed u. >. Senator
to ill unexpiTed term, till 1861, when he was re-
elected tor six years. lie cecTetarY OF W or
der Pierce from 1853 to 1857, frem which time he was
U. Senator from Mississippi till that State seeded.
During great portion OF his Senatorial career lie was
Chairman of tie Committee On Military Affairs; and
while at the head of the War Department h managed
its sfars with ability and success than any OF bis
predecessors. His rule to encourage E1erit ard
sterling worth wherever found and many Of the
officers in the u. s. Army oWt their promiuetc3 aud
promotion to him. Feeling warm interest III Nc
CleaD, AID en- tertainiDg high appreca' ion Of his
orth and talents, he sent him with two Others 10 take
observations of the siege Of SevastopO, and gain from
the Eastern World any information Of value to military
science.
In 1885 be married daughter of Gen Tuylr, and
years after her death he married his present wife
Verina Howell, ami be and excellent lady, daughter
of wealthy commission merchant Of New Orleans, and
grand daughter of Gov. Howell CT New jersey, OF Re
evolutionary memory.
President Davis is about reet 10 inches high and
weighs some 40 lbs. He has weli-formed and intel
ectual head with forehead bullying cut considerably,
aquine and compressed lips. The che bones are
prominent, causing the cheeks to appear hollow ; his
hair is of dark color mixed probably with gray and
bis face is OF sa0w paents but with his keen, steady
dark eye, shows much more Color boldncss ard ANNA
ton than is usually represented in the pic see
He no whskers except under bis chin a3 around
his throat and of his eyes said to be detective in
sight, but this would escape observation.
From his manners and appearance one Wcu Datur
ally, at frst regard him dgnifed morose, and even
repu!sve but farther acquaintance removes mnca of
this impression, and Mr. Davis appears agreeable |
earnest candid accomplished and interesting gent@man
His voice elevated key, distinct and fall AMI
although little rough is not unpleasant
AS public speaker he is practical and ii0pTessive,
inspiring s-.eEunty and inducing conviction. lie rel
Their drives the imagination To the glddy heights Of e3
auence and nelcc ual spendor, sOops below honor
to tickle popular fancy aud popular applause bat ap
pealing 10 the moral than The sensual attebu es
of tie sou be speaks what he feels and what be
is with that peculiar elcquence which truth directed 20
the conscience, always imparts.
He is Of Episcopalan persuasion and was confirmed
two or three months ago learn, and with s family
ate n1s ST. Paul's Church re !ulary. On his with
drawal from the q. :. Senate, after thc secession OF
Mississippi be showed, by very ab!e and powerful
spec CD which did honor to his head and heart that he
fully realized the awful responsibility Of tie sue forced
upon 1t was with deep aud unfeigned regret that
he fat Int tO nf1fy irh
be had served long ard faithfully, ard or which
he he'd CHERISHED such fial attachment. o that &C
casion Mr.. Davis calm aud collected aud although
the blood Of the nation WIS hot and tie popular h ar
throhbtd with agitation bis a9agnanimty and sincerity
extorted admiration and sympathy even from his ere
mics. With eyes downcast and body noo0lcss and
in calm manly, emphatic tone, he said, in subs ance
I" now leave you fer other and different duties, and
will again mngle with yoI have done Ter SO
many years If have done any one Of you Injustice,
| now ask forgiveness 1t in debate Or Otherwise
have wounded any Senator's feelings given insult
Or viola ed courtesy or confidence, now retract all
I:have been devoted to noble Government ard
have tried faithfully in the various distinguished posi-
lions have been honored with, to promote its pros
perity purity and durability. | have given the best
season of my manhood to the sustaining of tle Con
sttutor and the Laws, when violated and tram
pied on by Others have borne aofG that proud
flag amid the OF battle, and freely poured Ou' my
blood in my country's cause We OF the South have
offered you compton, we have yielded every thirg
from fathers might not be disrupted ard devaaated
and in vain. Bat gentlemen, appealing to just God
for The rectituae OF Intentions do s5emnly
that such outrageous violation Ct the Constitution
such insane tanaticsm, such usurpa0n, and such
tioDa tyraDnical constant and dangerous legislation
We will never, EeveT, NEVER submit
have had from the first an unwaverirg confidence
in President Davis. This is however my opinion.
know there are whose judgment is entitled to
respect that do not entertain favorable sentiments to-
wards our chef Executive and.when | find my opin-
ion erroneous then l will change it, but not before.
Although Mr.. Davis may have occasionally displayed
an uDyiediDg, accommodating spirit, have found
in hin that tenacty of purpose and those sterling
liable qualities so requisite for leader ID such crisis
would be invdious exaggeraon to say that all
and achievements result from his efforts. But
he has shaped the to the end fitted the cause to
the effect, and directed the details of natio6al
progress and maintained such consistent frmuess
amid all the GIBBS and flows of popular opinion and pre-
judce that the people find soothing consolation if
confidently relying the wisdom, the ability and the
patriotism of their President. He has given caste,
character prestige to our government at home and
abroad, and proved to unwilling world that he and
the government he represents not the Of
circumstance the slaves of expectancy. With sa
gacity superior to that of most of public men, he
formed correct conception of tie character Of
our enemies and the Revolution which has drenched
unfortunate country in fraternal blood He insist
mendation was overrued He predicted the first seri-
Gus difficulty of our enemy,-hat of finance, and time
has verified the prophecy King Cotton has not yet
driven bis brother kings of the East into supplcating
attitude foreign recognition has been an empty shad
ow have political divisions yet weakened the hopes
of the NORTH bat their debt and financial system is the
yawning abyss taat threatens to engu them. He has