Abbeville press. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1860-1869, 1866-05-11
ELOQUENT TRIBUTE TO MR.. DAVIS.

IilOttS stiteeiidi auu uHSo'hplaihiHo Ptisoii-
or Mt Fortress Monroe, and makes a de-
nand for his release on tho purest grounds
of reason. 1t says:
We have always regarded it az fixed
fact that sooner or later Jefferson Da-
Wis would be released, without being
brought to trial, unless, indeed, his captors
succeeded in their evident design to muir
der him, by the slow torture OF rigorous
confinement to which he has been subjec
ted.
Itwould be impossible to convict him
as traitor before any court, except, in
deed, military commission, composed of
such creatures as the the men who pros
nounced tho death sentence upon Mrs. Sur>
ratt whose memories will be execrated
through all coming time.
Not only did Jefferson Davis commit no
act OF treason, but we believe that first,
last and always, his acts wero governed by
motives Of the purest and most disinteres-
ted patriotism. lie betrayed no sacred
trust, lie made no effort to elevate him
self to positions of honor and power, like
selfish aspiring politician; but of all the
brilliant array Of Southern talent. ..eloquence
and genius assembled in the Senate cham
Der at Washington, he was the acknowl-
edged leader and superior Of all. When
the people q the State he represented CAL
led upon hit, as their Representative, to
withdraw f3m Congress, he promptly res
ponded; anp Of all the Southern members
who bowed dtheir naughty farewell to the
Senate, he hado the most polished and
courtly adi9u.
At the time the Government of the
Confederyey was formed, his vast expo.
rience AID unequalcd abilities as a states
man made him emphatically the political
leader Of the South, while his pleasing ad-
dress and ha intellectual. snpnriarity over
all The other distinguished men of the
Southimade him the idol of the Southern
people He accepted the position of Pres
idens not with any design ol building up
for 4mself splendid fortune and eudur-
ing lame, but because he was chosen to
fill hat position by the unanimous voice
Of eight millions of people, and because he
desmed it his sacred duty as patriot to
remain true to the South in her. hour of
peril.
How far he erred in making this final
decision, which cast lis fortunes with
those Of the Southern people, it is idle
now to inquire; to day, as traitor,
though he is branded,Iwe honor' and res
spect him.. while we despise such vile,
base creatures as Bolts and Brownlow, and
can truly believe that Washington was not
more admired and beloved by the patriots
of the Revolution than Jefferson Davis is
by the Southern people to-day. History
fails to point US an example of moro en-
tire unanimity-we search the records in
vain to find an instance surprising the love |
AID tdevotedness they have exhibited for
him. -,
1t Is the very superiority of, Jefferson
Davis which has caused all bis Persecution
and suffering. The Abolition fends we'll |
know. that he was no ordinary mau, whose
splendid genius was SO long the brightest
star in the senate--they know it was no
weak, common mortal who, for four years,
controlled the destinies Of eight millions
Of people, and they fear the influence
which his gisnt intellect and matchless ell
oquence would exert in moulding the 'fu-
'tnre destiny of America. Knowing that
it is impossible to convict him Of treason,
they hope to dispose of him by the slow
torture Of confinement and privation,
But time, and affection has failed to bow
his .lofsy 'spint-insults, chains and dun.
geons can never wholly destroy that supe-
rionty, eloquence and genius with which
God hiss endowed him. To-day. emao;a.
Ted: With long months Of confinement ina
drsary fortress, glspstdad by bayonets and ii
epsrouydeds sby = ankes spies and inform
ssss, We fecognlse the same calm, stately.
Superior being whots figured 20 grand i j III:
y recent terribie drama Of American HIS
5tQsy-vHho crushed tie Morthsfn senators
y humiliatibg CONSEQUENCES; 81: their.
.oKpti INFERIOR ghenshe made his ,high-s 4 1
toned saisn g ths SENATE 3 o.. g..
er ! 1afsIson 81 =; Davis, We ask no no Exeeue