Washington telegraph., 1865-09-20

AN ELOQUENT APPEAL FROM JACK
SON, Miss, IN BEHALF OF JEFF DAVIS
AND CHAs. CLARK.-The following elo-
quent memorial, addressed to the Presi-
dent of the United States in behalf of
Jefferson Davis and Charles Clark, BY
the members Of the Mississippi Conven-
tlcn, acting in their individual capacity,
we find in the last Jackson papers. 1t
will be read with interest 1t il from
the pen Of Gen. William G.. Martin, OF
Natchez:
JACKSON. MISS, Aug. 90, 1865.
To the President Of tie 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. il, we learn, held in con-
finement by authority Of the United
States Government, at Fort Pulaski lie
is old, MANNED, shattered in constitution,
and wrecked in fortune. He has long
been known as a gentleman Of high So
cial 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 in
strict confinement, and debarred the priv
ilege OF corresponding or conversing
with his family or friends. He is said
to be suffering i'll 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 intention
or wish TO resist the Government, but an
honest determination to return to their
peaceful occupations, and to restore tie
prosperity that once blessed our State
The action Of the Convention 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 Da-
Wis and Clark in their political opinions
Most Of US voted against secession, and
for years opposed the State rights party,
yet none of us doubted that Mr.. Davis
acted upon an honest and sincere convic-
ton 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 disruption of the Union, as a
mode Of remedying what he thought to
be wrong in the past, and guarding
against other and more grievous wrongs
which he believed to be impending.
After the Convention assembled in this
State had passed an ordinance Of seces-
sion, he left the Senate of the United
States reluctantly and with sorrow, be-
heving, we are assured, that he was re-
quirei to do so by his duty to the State,
due regard for consistency and the po-
litical principles he had SO long adhered
to-the solemn. earnest and patriotic ap-
peais contained in his latest address to
the South justify US in these opinions.
1t was well known TO onr people that he
was net among the most ardent of his
political associates.
In other times, leading Mississippians
to victory, he gallantly fought and bled
for the Union, and reflected honor and
renown upon onr State as well as the
whole country. We cannot he indiffer-
ent TO his fate now. however much we