The Norfolk post. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 1865-1866, 1865-09-09

THE APPEAL TO PRESIDENT JOHNSON IN BE
HALF or JEFFERSON DAVIS AND EX-GOVERNOR
Ia, JACKSON, Miss, August %, 1865.
To THE PRESIDENT or THE UNITED STATES
The members Of the Convention of the
State of Mississippi, assembled for the
purpose of amending the State constitu-
ton so as to restore our relations with
the Federal Government, as Mississip-
plans and individuals, respectfully pre-
sent the following petition =
Charles Clark, late Acting Governor
of this State, is, we learn, held in con-
finement by authority of the United
States government at Fort Pulaski. He
is old. manned, shattered. in constitu-
ton and wrecked in fortune. He has
long been known as gentleman of high
social position, of great worth, integrity
and intelligence.
Jefferson Davis, lately the President
of the States in rebellion against the
Federal Government, is said to be i'm
strict confinement and debarred the
privilege of corresponding or conversing
with his family or friends. He is said
to be suffering ill health and to be
threatened with the loss of sight. His
family is reduced to poverty.
Here, resistance to the authority of
the United States is at an end. There is
no longer among our people any inten-
ton or wish to resist the Government,
but an honest determination to return
to their peaceful occupations and to re-
store the prosperity that once blessed
our State. The action of the Conven-
ton now in session leaves no doubt of
the truth of this assertion. We believe
that what is said of our own State is
true of all the States lately in rebellion.
Few of us conceded with Messrs.
Davis and Clark in their political opin-
ions. Most of us voted against seces-
sion, and for years opposed the State
rights party, yet none of us doubted that
Mr.. Davis acted upon an honest and
sincere conviction that the theory of our
Government which he adopted was
right-a theory once advocated by some
of the best men our country produced
He was 10th to resort to a disruption of
the Union as mode of remedying what
he thought to be wrong in the past, and
guarding against other and more grew
| Gus wrongs which he believed to be I'M
Dending. After the convention assem- |
bIed i'm this State had passed an ordl-
nance of secession, he left the Senate of
tbe limited States reluctantly, and with
sorrow, believing, we are assured, that
he was required to do so by his duty to
the State, due regard for consistency
and the political principles he haa SO
long adhered to-the solemn, earnest
and patriotic appeals contained IN his
| last addresses to the Senate, justify us
| in these opinions. 1t was Wen known
tn orr people that he was not among the
most ct ardent of his political associates.
Tn other times, leading Mississippians
| IN victory. he calamity fought and bled
for tbe Union, and reflected honor and
renown upon our State as well as the
whole country. We cannot be indiffer-
emf to his fate now, however much we
differ from him in his political opinions,
and we can but sympathize with him in
his mistOrtunes. a- ~
When war of sections BEGAN, inaugu
rated not so much by the action or APP
peals of individuals as by the general
uprising aud enthusiasm OF the masses,
he was chosen with extraordinary una
nimIty, because he was known to =,
honest, sincere and prudent, to preside
| over the States in revolt. He was th'
representative of the sentiment of tn
| people of the States. Hisacts were thOs
| of the great body OF the people. We re
| specially and earnestly ask that GU
sins, the sins of the millions for whom
and with whom he acted, may not b'
visited upon his head. .,,,,
Now that our people are retorh ,i,s
heartily and cheerfully TO their aa a,'o 81
glance, we are confident the paiddo I'll; m
, the gentlemen we have mentionII ,;ndiv
| go very far to produce q i nf.ha North
| feeling between the peoPsie much ~ Of tha1
r and South, and rid US oa if from the re
; a aept cyyf,ict We believe, too, that thu
: senS oo nf Mr. Davis would be an act
: paa .Ns,,, y, ,agnanmity, becoming appwer
= sa ase whose military strength
= ~, resources have astonished the world
and whose claims to respect would re-
: not more upon its power than upon 4
I acts s OF mercy in the hour OF triumph