American citizen. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1864-1890, 1866-05-10
Eloquent Tribute to Mr.. Davis.
HIS Torture and Imprisoement-His
Patriotism and Statesmaaship-His
Genius and .EloQueace---Demand. for
has trial By his oacm Coy''trymen.

lustrious statesman and accomplishing
prisoner at Fortress Monroe. and makes
Ia demand for his release on the purest
grounds of reason. 1t says:
EXPECTED RELEAsB-vIGoRoUs IMPRIsoN-
We have always regarded it as a fixed
, fact, that sooner or later Jefferson Davis
would be released without being brought
to lrial, unless, indeed, his capors sue
ceeded in their evident design. to murder
him, by the slow torture Of rigoronscon-
| tinemtnt to which be has been subjected.
1t would be impossible to convict him
as a traitor before any court, except, in
deed. military commission, composed
of such creatures as the men who pros
uouDced the death sentence upon Mrs.
SurIatt, whose memories will be txecrat>
ed through all coming time.
Not only did Jefferson Davis commit
no act Of treason, but we believe that
first, last and always his acts were gov
elned by motives Of the purest and most
disinterested patriotism He BETRAYED no
sacred trust. He made 10 effort to ele-
vate himself 10 positions Of honor and
power, like a selfish aspiring politician :
but of all The brilliant srsay of Southern
talent, eoquence and genius. assembled
10 the Senate chamber at Washington,
he was he acknowledged leader and su-
perior of all. Wien the people of the
State he represented called upon him as
their representative 70 withdraw from
Congress, lie promptly responded and all
of the Southern members who bowed
tEtir naughty farewell to the Senate, he
made the most polished and courtly
adeu.
A tie time the Government Of the
Confederacy was formed. his vast expe
rience and unequalled abilities as a states
man, made him emphaticalIy the politica
leader of the South, while hi, pleasing
addresses and his Intellectual superiority
over all the other distinguished men Of
The South, made lin the idol of the
Southern people. He accepted the po-
srion Of President, not with any design Of
building up for him self splendid fortune
and enduring fame, but because he was
chosen 10 gil that potion ty the unani-
nous voice Of eight millions Of people,
and because he deemed it his sacred duty
as patriot to remain true to the South
in her hour Of peril
TRUE PICTURE OF SOUTHERN FEELING.
How far lie erred in making this faal
decision, winch cast bis fortunes with
those OF The Southern people, it is idle
now to inquire; to-day, as traitor
though he is branded, we honor and re-
spect him, while we de, pise such vile.
base creatures a. Bolts and Brownlow.
and can truly believe that Washington
w4s not more beloved and admired by the
patriots of the Revolution than is J, fer
son Davis by the S,ufhern rr"p't To- day.
History fails to point us IA Example of
more entire unanimiiy-we search the
records of mankind in vain 10 find An in
stance surprising the love and devoted
ness. they have exhibited 70, bin.
pR. DAVIS THE LEADING ,TAR Is THE
SENATE.
L is The saTeloriy Of Jefferson Davis
~hch ha, caused al his p r>rcuDion and
.aiItrirg. The abolition tends well know
hat he was no ordinary man, whose
splendid genu, was SO long tn brightest
star in the Senate hey kn it was 10
weak, common mortal who Tor years coa-
rolled tie destiny Of eighl millions of peo
pie, and they fear the influence which
bis giant intellect and ma,chless elo-
queBce would exert 10 m oudirg he fu
lule destiny Of America. Knowing that
it is impossible 10 convict him of treason.
they hope 10 dispose Of him by the slow
torture Of confinement ard privaiion.
HIS DIGYIFIED sUFFERISo-THE SANS
STATELY MEM.
But time and all c'irn has l,led to
bow lis lofty spirit-insulls. chains and
dungeons can never wholly destroy that
superiority, eloqnence and genius with
which God has endowed him. To.da3.
emancipaied by long months of cnnfne
ment in a dresr7 fortress. guarded by
baycnets and surrounded by Yankee
spies and informers. we recognize the
same calm, stately. superior being who
figured so gtandiy in The recent terrible
drama of American H;sory-who crush
ed the Northern Senators by humi'ilt>
ing consciousness Of their own inferority,
VIXEN he made his hish-.oned aileu 10
the Senate.