New-York daily tribune., 1865-09-28
HARpER,s MAGAzlNg. ocrop.s:

The papers OF principal interest IN this number
relate TO actors and incidents in the recent civil
war, and will attract more than usual attention
from readers Of the Magazine. "Shernan's Great
March is described in lively colors after the diary
of Major Nichols, aide-de-cGmp 10 the gallant com
mander, work which is shortly TO appear in a
separate volume. An article on jefferson Davis, By
General Jordan, formerly chief of stan to General
Beauregard, presents the PROSTATE chief of the
Rebellion in novel aspect, indicating several
points in his character and position which have
hitherto, for the most part, escaped the notice OF
the public The ritcr aiirms that it is gross error
to speak of Mr.. Davis as I" the very incarnation Of
the ideas, aims, aud inspirations which led the
Southern people into the cause of Disunion'
"The facts, he says, " revealed by mere glance
at his political an.ecedents during the eight years
preceding secession mark him not the champion
of revolution, not fanatica sectional chief by
any means, but who keenly alive TO the value
of great national establishments, sought TO foster
them; as one, too, whose ambition evidently looked
up to d larger sphere than that which should en-
brace section rather than the whole Union. This
was conspcuously the inspiration Of his speech de-
during the administration Of Buchanan. Hence,
TOO, after the election of Mr. Lincoln and certain
occurrences in South Carolina clearly portendcd
her ultimate course, on the arrival of Mr. Davis in
Washington in December, 1860, he was taken 10
Mr. Buchanan and gave assurances that he would
counsel moderation on the part Of his section, and
the exhaustion Of all measures for accommodation
ct least Until after the 4th Of March, lSGl." His
course in the Senate was of similar character.
His celebrated speech of January 81 1861, gave an
impressive statement Of what deemed the
grievances of the South but was conceived and de-
hversd in o temperate spirit "Thc fact is, the
people Of the cotton States had gone far ahead Of
those Of their leaders who had been 20 long their
representatives at Washington as to bo possessed
with strong personal attachments for the life and
associations there of national politicians, which
they sbdcsted with extreme reluctance. The con-
stltueDcy Of these gentlemen, ahead OF their repre-
sentatives had been brought with remarkable
snsnimity TO look upon Q dissolution of the
Union as their only means Of relief from state
Of political inequality, which they believed was
frsught with the political, social and industrial
subordnation of the southern TO tho Northern
States. Mr.. Davis, with higher, better-ionnded
hopes for Federal preferment than any other South
ern statesman, naturally was more reluctant to
enter upon movement that made that pref,rment
impossible. His course, both as Secretary Of War
and Senator VIC affirm, must acquit him Of any
tendency 10 extreme sectional sentiments, which
made compromise under the Union impossible
disunion inevitable Mr.. Davis was elected Pro-
visons, President OF tho Confedcracy by a bare
majority, and on account of his military expert
ence, rather than Of any political leadership. From
the outset OF the Secession movement, he failed
TO comprehend the importance Of the struggle, and
to provide from the resources Of the South the
necessary munitions Of war. "a just measure Of
his ideas of the state Of affairs and Of possible
tngsnciss is TO be found in the first orders sent to
xursps fos srns, which we're for but ten thousand