The Tiffin weekly tribune. (Tiffin, Ohio) 1859-1868, 1865-05-25
Sketch Of Jefferson Davis,

I JcH. Davis was born in the same Sta
! (Kentucky) and in the same year (isOS
that gave birth TO Abraham Lincoln
J Davis was born on June 3D.. and was IN,
lillrgitimatc son Of James Davis. a note,
horse trader, Of Hopkinsv,le, Kentucky
/ The father fell under suspicion as
horse thief, and was forced to Az from
justice. lie settled, whom JcfT. was yer,
young, near Nicksburg, Mississippi. Al
that time horse and negro traders ana
horse thieves, when rich, were admissi.
bic TO good (Mississinp) society, and
old Davis had little difficulty in estab.
fishing himselfin life. He was able a
few years AFTER TO send his son 20 Ken.
lucky, to complete his education at the
Fransylvania University, Lexington. lie
had in fact become so popular III o1ch the
influence Of his money and popular man.
ners, as to be able to secure for his hone.
iul progeny an appointment TO West
Point, which young jeff entered at six
teen, forming part of the graduating class
of 1898. He graduated near the foot OF
his class, aud was commissioned i'm the
lst ln'srtry as brevet second lieutenant,
the lowest rank that could be given him.
lie was sent to Florida, and served very
crcdliably with Zich. Taylor in the
Black Hawk war, for which he got com.
mission as FIRST lieutenant in the lst dra-
goors. In 1899 he offended General
Taylor by running away with and marry.
ing his daughter, and tho old General
never recognized Davis until they hap
pcned 10 meet on the battlefield of
Buena Vista, Mexico. In 1895 Dacis,
having resigned his commission, settled
near Vicksburg, aud entered upon the
arena OF politics, in which he was SO fur
successful as to be elected to the lower
house Of Congress.
When the Mexican war broke ont.
D'vis raised aud commanded tho 1st
RegiI,ent Of Mississippi rifles. The only
$ significant feature in his career was the
fact that he declined a United States
commission as a hrigndier. general Of
volunteers, on the ground that such an
by the Federal Executive
was violation OF State rights.
lie re-cntcrcd political life in lS47,
having been appointed by the Governor
ol Mississippi to fill the vacancy in the
U nlled States Senate caused by tho death
OF Mr. Spreight. At the ensuing clec
ton, in lS4s, he was elected to ill the
term expiring in 1851. On his return to
he became the State rights
candidate for Governor, but was defeated
by "Little Fidgcp Footc, his lifeline
enemy, who is now lying in Ludlow street
Jail in this city. About the sumo time he
stumped the Stac for the purpose of ad.
vocating the reputation of the State
debt, aud was subsequently honorcd as the
originator and prime mover ofthat great
swindle. In 1881 he was called BY
Pierce TO a scat in his Cabinet, as SccrS-
tary War. In 1857 he was reelected
United States Senator from Mississippi,
which Lc held until his resignation
(Janulry. lS6D on the secession of his
State. He was chosen Provisional Presi
dent Of the rebel confederation of States,
February a, 1861 was inauguratcd Feb.
ruary %, 1861, and Reelected in 1869
for the term of six years, for only halt of
which time he viii be permitted to net.
HIS administration Of the affairs of the
rebellious States has been marked By no
great brillinncy CT Judgment. lie has
been the Marplot of almost every one Of
the rcbcl campaigns, and has done more
by his ohstinacy, envy, jealousy, and NAL.
ice to destroy the unity and effectiveness
Of his Government aud its armies than
any other of its leaders. Ifthe Confedera.
cy had possessed a leader less obstinate
m the pursuit of bad plans, less envious
Of the fame Of his subordinates, and less
lnarrelsomc generally, 1t might have ex.
stcd few months longer.