Daily State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1865-05-24
How the south Regards the Arrest of
Jef1. asAEls.

The private secretary of one OF J eff Davis
Cabinet hss written letter 10 the New York
Times, which Is bitterly opposed to Davis, but be
nevertheless says:
IF Mr.. Davis were to succeed in making bis
way TO Europe, he would then pass into history
as an incompetent, who had brought ruin on the
cause be had sspired to lead. Hardly any of the
public men of the South have any liking for
him, and every one would have his story to tell
of blunders and mismanagement As tis, how
ever, Mr.. Davis is a hunted fugitive. fleeing for
life with price set on his head The SOuther-
ners all feel the North desires to punish him
because be was their chosen leader and repre-
sentative. and. as such, they desire his escape
At this moment, Mr.. Davis rallies around him
the sympathies of every Southern man and
woman. and no where more than in this city
where thousands have been beggared by the in
cendiary proceedings which attended bis de-
parture. The SOutherners say there is no more
reason why Mr.. Davis should be punished than
themselves for rebellion. They put him in his
position, and kept him, and approved his oppo-
sition TO the National authority
Again, while all Southerners look with horror
and detestatlOn upon the crime by which Mr.
Lincoln lost his life, they all repudiate the idea
that their Government had anything 10 do with
It. Even those among the most bitter upon Mr
Davis affirm that be would never tor one moment
have countenaBced so infamous resort as assas-
sination 1t is not believed that Mr. Davis
cherished any special personal hostility for the
late President, or FOR the members OF the Cabi-
net. His ha,reds were for the leaders of the
South, those whom he feared might outstrip him
tn popularity. or who ventured TO question his
infsllibilty He hated Joe Johnston ana Beau
regard. He wat jealous OF Hunter and Lee; but
those in the South who most appreciated and
suffered by his resentments would be the first TO
acquit him OF an imputation OF thirst for blood
Like Mr.. Lincoln, It was almost impossible 10
obtain his consent TO an execution, and thus the
discipline of the Southern armies was lost never
aiterward to be reganed.
AT ons time. throughout the South, there was
a clamor fer retaliation Tor alleged outrages by
the Union armies. Mr. Davis. Gen. Lee, Nc
Hunter, and others, steadily resisted this demand
and no light share of blame fell, in consequence
upon the Confederate Government Even Gen
Lee. the idol of the South during this war, did
not escape censure. 1t is we'll known ia Rich
mond that Dahlgren's command would have
been executed year ago but for the interposi-
ton OF Mr. Davis and Gen Leo.
1t is we'll that these facts should be known il
forming an estimate OF one whose character all
are now discussing. The same Southern gen
tlemen who repudiate absurd the idea that
Davis could have stopped to 80 nfa nous a crime
that of procuring the assassination of Mr.
Lincoln and Mr.. Seward will tell you that he
was obstinate, narrow. self willed. domineering
and selfish, a man whose faults of temper and
intellect would have ruined far stronger cause
than that of the South As they speak from
this point of view, their testimony is entitled to
the mOie weight IL is a verdict of acQuittal
from a hostile jury
The amount OF specie take heSce by the Con
federate Government has been greatly overrated
Ii did not much exceed half million of dollars
but a large proportion--say half--was in silver
and hence the bulk would give the idea of a
greater value The Richmond banks took away
their specie. and this amount may have reached
several million of dollars. IL is an error to sup
pose Mr.. Davis took away this or any amount OF
specie with the idea OF providing for himself in
Europe The balances of the Confederate Gov
eminent in foreign countries. constantly kept up
TO procure supplies. &c, are subject to the
checks OF Mr. Davis and his Cabinet and are
ample to meet their wants if they get abroad
Besides, il is we'll known that when Mr.. Davis
left here. he. of all men in the world, had the
least idea that the Confederacy was about to
tumble The coin was to provide funds tor a
war in America--to buy food and munitions OF
war. He thought in his folly. he could give up
the capital and the gseat State of Virginia, and
with the cotton States, keep up the contest until
the n forth should be wearied out.