Washington telegraph., 1865-11-01

JEFFERSON DAVIS AND GEN. JORDAN
Whilst none Of our readers are unacqlainted
with the frs. name above, few, We trow, are
| familiar with the latter. The one, Indeed is as
well known as the other is obscure. Who is
Jefferson Davis viii hardly be the inquiry; but
who, you inquire, is Gen. jordan?
All that relates 10 great men, upon their de-
mise, becomes matter Of public interest. Their
personal appearance, habits of life, traits Of
character, habitudes of thought, parentage,
birth place, &c.-all the miHUtiGe Of their lives
are treasured up with pinus Seven cilies,
it is said, wrangled with each other for the
honor Of Homers birthplace AS Byron, we
believe, has in hOmely phrase expressed it:
Seven cities, we are told, claimed old Homer
dead,
Through which old Homer, living, begged his
bread
Without aspiring to any art of divination,
being gifted with the Highland prsrogatiye Of
second sight" we may safely conclude that
no such interest or honor will ever attach TO
the memory of Gen. Jordan
We have read of the Eagle in his pride Of
place being havhed at by mousing owl"
Here have it fully illustrated. We refer to
the satirs (save the mark!) of Gen. Jordan upon
Jefferson Davis in the October number of IIar
per's Magazine.
We purpose not to speak hera of Mr.. Davis.
1t would be but idl" 10 DO SO He has acted his
part in the drama that is over, and his merit,
and demeris the property of mankind.
Any words of ours would be equally powerlcls
to help or TO harm him. Since we cannot afford
him any succcr, we would be far from loading
him with sland,r.
Not Sc, however, Gen. Jordan. Impelled by
idle vanity---cGcsetieS Scr'Jsndi--or worse,
with malice aforetheught," he has rushed into
print Through more than twenty columns of
closely printed matter hc has bounded the char
acter of Mr.. Davis. He has accused him of the
want Of every virtue and loaded him with the
opprobrium of every vice. This he has done
through the medium of iiarpcr's Monthly
fit repository. In this magazine he fluids a
worthy colaborer in such 4 crusade. \ maga-
zine which has exhausted the vocabulary of
the .lish-market'' in commenting upon Mr..
Davis, and whose mildest pictorial illustrations
represent kim with eleven hoofs aad satanic
horns.
But who is Gen. Jordan! With a blush we
acknowledge he was a Confederate officer
promoted by the hand of Mr. pavi>-rai,ed
from nothing TO the high distinction of a Cen
eral of Brigade TO the character q, AZ migrate
h. adds that Of calumniafor.
One would f.in inquire, what did he expect
to gain! Was it fame! This smacks rather of
iafamy. Was it honor, He has rcaped har-
vest of dishonor. Or did he desire to purchase
favor st the expense Of gnominy and shame
to turn states-evidence-to sell himself Iscariot-
like for a pal;ry price! Thus he hoped - re-
trievc his miserable fortunes. What fortunes
What an architect! or; upon him, will be the
cry of all true men.
Magnanimify is the chief attribute of SOL
jier-it is the priceless jewel Of his character
the Kohiuoor in his crown. Thick walls and
massy gates, the bolts and bars of prison,
were no protection against the most illiberal
taunts. Call you this magnanimity' Is such
the conduct of the gallant soldier Is tAis the
return for high prefermrnn
These taUuts will, however. fall harmless.
IL the outer world they will only recoil upon
the. head Of the author. Into that inner world.
where lives the Prisoner Of State, they can never
penetrate. Few sights and sounds, indeed, are
youchsa.rd to him. \ narrow view to seaward
and the noise Of waves beating ever against his
cell, are all We should, then, have done him
tins little justice if only '!or charity's sake