The weekly standard., 1866-01-13

more MONIES, tnan any mdu III The unl-
verse. Listen to the language of the
joint sufferer, 'grief and gratitude
seem to impose upon me silence--I
would. but cannot say more"
Letter from Mis-. JEFF. Davis.
MILL view, GA, Dec. 4, 1866
7. B. Clarke, Esq, Secretary and Agent, L. s.
A. Association:
My DEAR SIR:-I am In receipt of
your very kind letter in the name fof
the Ladies Southern Aid Association, "
having s'for its object the purpose of
placing" me "and family in circum-
stances somewhat commensurate with
their estimate of me and mine, and
begging that will, at my earliest con-
venience, designate place to which
the means so collected may be con-
veyed, so that they may safely and
satisfactorily" reach me.
From our desoiated and impover-
ished friends, scarcely expected such
an expression of material sympathy,
tho my powers of gratitude have been
almost daily taxed to thank those who
have. with so much heart-eloquence,
plead with the. President for him who.
though unsuccessful, has given you all
he could-his best energies-and whose
only hope OF future happiness lies in
the sweet trust often expressed, that
he has not lost your confidence and
love. Ignorant of all which his own
people have done for him in his pain
ful captivity, his devotion is unabated.
''The unfortunate have always been
deserted and betrayed, but did ever
man have less to complain of when he
had lost the power toserye2 The lnui-
titude are silent: why should they
speak save to him who hears best the
words most secretly uttered My own
heart tells me the sympathy exists
that the prayers from the family hearth
are not hushed. Be loving and conf
ding still to those from whom / have
received SO much more than I deserve;
for more official honors than I have de-
sired. Those for whose cause I suffer
are not unworthy of the devotion of all
which I had to give" This is the mes
sage of love which is sent through
prison gates to our own people. Isay
our people, because both of us have
been brought up with you, one of US
was born in mississippi, .the other
came to her In infancy. These are my
own people, and it is a privilege of
which no change of circumstances can
deprive me. To the accepted prayers
of our widows and orphans, our suffer
ing but heroic women, our brave and
true men, our innocent little children.
/ look for the restoration to my little
children of their agonized but christian
father. If merciful Providence SC
ordain it, we hopeto live and die among
you, mutually consoling and bearing
each others burthens. pray God we
may not be driven forth from the home
of our childhood, ''for how can we sing
cur own song In strange land?" We
would not have our dear friends be-
trayed by their sympathy into offering,
for our use, too much from their .'bas-
ket and store. and mine have, so far
sbeen iniraculously cared for and shiel-
ded from want. We seem ever envi-
roned by the love which is reflected
npon us from that which lighted my
husband in his dungeon softened his
prison walls with sunny pictures oflov-
ing eyes and outstretched arms.
Grief and gratitude seem to impose
upon me silence. I would, but cannot
say more. I will enclose within this
note the numes and directions OF gen
tlemen to whom the contributions cl
which you speak may be enclosed. And
instead of the eloquent voice which SC
often poured forth his love to his dear
people, now mute, / offer wife's and
mothers gratitude to you and those
you represent.
I have the honor to be, very CRATE
fully and sincerely yours.
yARINA DAVIS.