Daily union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1865-1866, 1866-07-10
TUESDAY, JULY 10, 1866.
JEFFERSON DAVIS IN PRISON.
Further Extracts from the Diary orfhe
Post Surgeon.

AUGUsT 13.--IIad been absent in Balti
more on official business some few days, dur
ing which Mn. DAVIS sent for me. CalleC
with Captain Evans, officer Of the Jay, anC
explained my absence. A pustule, some
what malignant in character. was forming on
the prisoners face, which was much indamed
and swollen. He reiterated his belief that
the casemate was full Of malarious poison
caused by the rising and falling Of the tide
in the ditch outside las previously explain
ed, and wished the Washington people
would take quicker means Of despatching
him, ii his death without trial was their
object. That il was so he was led to suspect,
for trial must develop many things not
pleasant 10 those in power. In particular it
would place the responsibility for the nom
exchange Of prisoners where il belonged
Called the same evening. Prisoner in a
high fever, the swelling Of his face spread
ing b his back and head with indications
Of latent ervsipeas. Mr.. DAVIS wished he
could have with him his faithful servant
ROBERT who. though a slave, had a moral
nobility deserving honor. The negroes had
excellent traits Of character, but required
for their own sakes, guidance and control.
They were d0cile, as a general rule, easily
sympathies, aud Of warm family affection.
Their passions, however, were intense and
uncontrollable Slavery had been blamed
for their incontinence but this was unjust.
Were the free blacks any less libidinOus?
The Southern slaves were incomparably
more chaste. or less unchaste, than people Of
the same race in the North. Slavery was
restraint upon promiscuous intercourse, and
for commercial reasons if for none higher.
The negroes were improyident 10 a degree
that must adduce them TO destitution if not
cared for. They had TO be provided with
fresh seeds for their little garden patches
every year, no remOnstrances sufficing 10
make them provide one season for the wants
Of the next Il was in their affections they
were strong, and many Of them had excel
lent traits His man ROBERT was the best
and most faithful ofhisTace, and had attended
him through many serious illnesses. Was
with his wife on board the Clyde, but might
possibly have deserted the sinking ship by
this'tme. Did not think he would, though
others, with greater claims TO keep them
faithful were among his enemies"
AUGUST lG-Called with Captain GREs-
SIN, Aide-Camp Of General Mills, officer Of
the day. Prisoner suffering severely but
IN less critical state, the erysipelas now
showing itself in his nose and forehead.
Found that n carbuncle was forming on his
left thigh Mr.. DAVIS urging this as a proof
Of a malarial atmosphere in his cell, reterit-
Grating his wish That, ifthe government want
cd 10 be rid OF him without trial, IL might
take some quicker process.
Prisoner said he had never held much
hope for himself since entering Fortress
Monroe, and was now losing it for his peo-
pie. The action and tone in regard to the
Richmond elections, gave evidence that the
policy Of "woe 10 the conquered would
prevail. What a cruel farce IL was 10 per
nit an exercise Of the elective franchise,
with a prOviso that the electors must cast
their ballots fer men they despised or hated
Either all pretence of continuing represen-
tatiye government shonld be abandoned or
free acceptance given 10 the men en-
dorsed bv the people To ask men who had
fought, sacrificed, and lost their all for
cause, 10 wheel suddenly, and vote into
power men they despised as renegades or
towards was the sin Of attempting 10 seethe
the kid in its mothers milk. Better for the
South 10 be disfranchised forever, than
crawl back into Office or recognition through
such incredible apostasy.
Better remain prisoners, than be citizens
on such terms Tn no district Of Virginia
could what we called " loyalist," muster
c0rporars guard Of men with similar senti-
mpnts. Why organize hypocrisy by at
tempting 10 force into elective positions men
who were not Representatives Of their al
legged constiments-men who could only
excite the adherence or contempt Of ninety
nine in every hundred Of the people?
Either the South should be declared so
many conquered provinces under military
rule, or given back the freedom Of the ballot
To offer brides for wholesale falsehood,
wonld be found poor policy; and the men
hereafter % create trouble in the South,
would not be the gallant and well-born gen
tlemen who fought Loyalty, and at every
sacrifice Of life and property for a cause
they believed right hut that small scum of
poltroons and renegades who remained
"ncutral" through the contest, only anxious
ta avoid danger for themselves, and run
over TO the side that won. The former class
accepted defeat, and would Loyalty preserve
any obligation that might be imposed upon
them. The latter were worthless and pitt
fnl iutrigucrs, commanding no popular con-
fdence. chastencd by no memories Of the
struggle: and now that no personal risk
could be incurred, would seek 70 attain pop
ularity-the popularity Of demagogues-by
retaining into flame the passions and pre-
iudices Of the ignorant and vulgar They
will be camorous for Southern rights, now
that Southern rights are dead, and out-liER-
ROD HERRop in their protested devotion TO
the Southern cause.
AUGUsr 20.-Called with Captain EVANS
officer Of the day. Mr.. DAVIS suffering
great p.s,slration cloud Of erysipelas COW
ering his whole face and throat The car
buucle much infamed. Spirits exceedingly
detected, evinced by anxiety for his wife
and children That he should die without
opportunity Of rcbutting in public trial the
imputed stigma Of having had share IN the
conspiracy 10 nssassinate Mr. LINCOLN, was
referred to frequently and painfully. That
history would DO him justice, and the crimi-
nal absurdity Of the charge be its own retu-
tation, he had cheerful confidence while in
health: but in his feeblcness and despond-
cucy. with knowledge how powerful they
were who wished to aflix this stain, his
alarm, lest il might become a reproach 70
his children, grew an increasing shadow.
or Mr.. LINCOLN he then spoke, not in
affected terms Of regard or admiration, but
having a simple and sincere tribute 20 his
ooodpcss of character, honesty of purpose,
ana EnrlNllau Alt'NlAN ~ w AaANNAeA ~ AlAN Au7
Ties according to such light as was given
him. Also TO his official purity and free
dom from avaricc. The Southern press la
bored in the early part Of the war 20 render
Mr.. LNCoIN akhorred and contemplate;
but such efforts were against his Judgment
and met such opposition as his multiplied
cares and labors would permit.
Behind Mr.. LINCOLN, during his trst term,
stood an infinitely more Objectionable and
less scrupulous successor Mr.. HANIIN,)
and the blow that struck down the President
of the United States would place that suC-
ccSsor in power. When Mr.. LINCOLN was
reinaugurated. the cause Of his people was
hopeless, or very nearly 80 the struggle
only iusti6able in continuance by rs better
attitude for obtaining terms; and from no
ruler the United States could have, might
terms 80 generous have been expected. MIR.
LINCOLN was kind Of heart naturally long
ing for the glory and repose Of n second
term 20 be spent in peace. Mr.. Johnson,
being from the South, dare not offer such
liberal treatment; his motives would be im-
plunged. In every embiuered national strug-
rle. proposals TO sssassinate the rival repre-
seniativcs were t,ommOn, emanating from
different motives; from spies Of the enemy,
wishing 10 obtain evidence how such propo-
ais would De received; from fanatics, rcli-
pious or patriotic, believing the set would
prove acceptable 90 Heaven; from lunatics,
driven mad bv suaerings connected with the
struggle. and from b0astiul and often COW
l--.,.- s-.,iA aud nafnH.i-