The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1866-06-20

sive mower while exposing the least posi-
BILE and most strongly -armOred objective
noints Ia the proicctics of the enemy
and in such plans ot our 'roh-cla"" AZ
he had lately seen, these deSiaera'a seeii-
ed 10 have been very nearly a''alucu.
For crossing the ocean, however, anu lot
cruising on peaceful stations, our vessels
Law too low in the water either Tor salety
from storms or the comfort and health OF
the crew and officers. If our present vcS-
sells had in them vast wells, which, when
nmutv would cause the hulls TO float eight
or ten feet above the water, and which, on
being filed when going into action would
reduce them TO their present le'ei, he
thought no grandcr instruments OF Del-
lircrcncv could be imagined. wooden
bottoms. with armored sides and armorcd
turrcts he could not but think would
prove the best. The enormous weight
superimpoScd, coupled with the roiilngS oi
the Srs, must soon Chatc and wear away
the rivcts and plates of an iron bottom, no
matter how carefully secured; while
wooden hulls sat more easily on the water,
and both avoided chatting, and obtained
greater speed by their capacity OF yielding
a little. Even the sea, in its laws, con-
cludcd Mr.. Davis. with smile, teaches the
policy Of Cancellation, Of concession.
SECESSION not TREASON.
Mr.. Davis said il was contrary to reason
and the law of nations to treat as rcnci-
lion or lawlcSs riot movement when
had been the deliberate action OF an entire
people through their duly organized State
Governments. To talk of treason III the
case of the south was TO oppose an arbl-
trarv cpithct against the authority oi all
writer's on international law. Nattel de-
duccs from his study of all former prccc-
dent-and all subsequent international lu-
ri>ts have agreed with him-that when a
nation separates into two parts, each
claiming independence, and both or either
setting up a new government, their quar-
rel, should it come to trial by arms or by
diplomacy, shall be regarded and settled
precisely as though it were difference
between two separate nations, when the
divided sections, De tGcto, have become
Each must observe the laws of war in the
treatment of CaptivcS taken in battle, and
such negotiations as may from time 10
time arise shall be conducted aS between
independent and sovereign Powers. Mere
riots, or conSpiraCieS for lawlcSS objects,
in which only limited fractions of people
are irrceularly engaged, may he properly
treated as treason, and punished as the
public good may require; but Edmund
Burke had exhausted argument on the
subject in his memorable phrase, applied
to the first American movement for lnde-
pcndcncc, - know not how an indlct-
mcnt against a whole people shall be
framed
RELIGIOUS PHASE OF MR.. DAyISS CHA
RACTER.
There was no aiteCtation of dcvOutneSS
or aSccticiSm in my patient; but every
opportunity had OF seeing him convinced
me more deeply of his sincere religious
convictions. He was fond OF referring to
passages OF Scripture, comparing text win
text, dwelling on the divine beauty OF the
imagery and the wondcriula adaptation otthc
whole to every conceivable phase and stage
Of human life. Nothing that any mans
individual experience, however strange,
could bring home to him, but had been
previously torctuld and described, with ITS
proper lesson or promise of hope, in the
sacred volume. 1t was the only absolute
wisdom reaching all varieties of existence,
because comprchcnding the whole: and
beside its inspired universal knowledge all
the learning of humanity was but foolish
ness. The Psalms were his iavorlte por-
tion of the Word, and had always been.
Evidence of their divine origin was inhc-
rent in their text. Only an intelligence
that held the litc-thrcadS OF the entire
human family could have thus pcalcd forth
in single cry every wish, JOY, fear, eXtl-
tation, hope, passion, and sorrow OF the
human heart. There were moments,
while speaking on religious subjects, i'll
which Mr.. Davis impressed me more than
anv professor of Christianity | had ever
heard. There was vital earncstncSS in
his discourse; clear, almost passionate
grasp in his faith and the thought would
frequently rccur that belief capable oi
conSolinr such sorrows as his, possessed,
and thereby evidenced, a reality, sub
stance, which no sophiStry Of the lntldcl
could diScrcdit.
To this phase OF the prisoners character
I have heretofore rather avoided calling
attention for several reasons, prominent OF
which, though an unworthy one, was tins
Ny knowledge that many, if not malo-
rity, of my readers would approach the
character of Mr.. Davis with preconcep-
tion of dislike and diStrust, and conse-
aucnt fear that an earlier forcing on their
attention of this phase of his character,
before their opinion had been modified by
such glimpscS as are herein given, might
only challenge base and false imputation
of hypocrisy against one than whom, in
nv Judgment, no more dcvout cXcmplar
of Christian faith, and its value asa conSo.
lation, now lives, whatever may have been
his political crimes or errors.