The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1867-12-30

crgy, his truth and Justice, his knowledg
OF men and of public affairs, his patienc'
and industry, his analytical mind and com
! prehensive judgment, were united tht
business habits of an active merchant O
commercial law advocate, his ability AM
usefulness as the chief of great enter
prise or the head of people would fine
few parallels in history.
Whether, with his peculiar mental ant
moral combination, his absorbing desire *
attain an exact fitness, consistency, anc
correspondence in all that he attempts, his
disposition to analyze and exhaust moi
only the probable but the possible argu
ments upon subjects under consideration
any other training than that which he re.
celyed could have taught him the Just
value and economy of time as en- element
IN the affairs of this rapid age we are not
prepared to say; but certain it is that the
discipline of West Point, his transfer
thence to the Indian frontier, his planta.
tic9, political and congressional life, were
| not the best training for the purpose. So
well was his habit with regard to time un-
derstood in Richmond that punctuality in
meeting it was rarely expected from his
engagements.
Though apparently cold and exclusive,
Mr.. Davis is naturally genial and sympa-
thetic; and few men prove more attractive
in private society. No man delighted more
to relieve his burthened heart and mind by
pleasant conversation upon general sub
jects-a taste which the seclusion of Ca
binet meeting and the presence of trusted
friends prompted him frequently to gra-
tify; and upon such occasions, aided by
the inspiration of good cigar, rambling
pleasantly over other fields than those of
public affairs, his conversation and man
ner were extremely engaging. His ex-
tensive reading and retentive memory,
his accurate observation and acquaint-
ance with distinguished or noted
men, his knowledge Of life, from the
backwoodsman's hut to the halls Of Senates
all Cabinets, were never ct fault for
striking illustrations Of every subject pre-
sented. Experiences in the army, on the
great plains, and in Mexico; life, civilized
and savage, from the Indians lodge to the
salons of fashion; sympathy with the
poor and humble, and familiarity with the
rich and great, bad stored his mind with a
vast fund Of useful knowledge, sprightly
reformation and amusing anecdote, which
a genial nature, ready perception OF
humor, rare powers of imitation, and q
voice full Of pleasant infections, so pre-
sented that few could be in his society at
such times without deriving pleasure and
information.
He is good Judge Of men /; and from in
dications which often escape the observa-
tions of others he frequently determines
the general designs Of those with whom he
is brought into contact before they have
had time to become reserved. His know
ledge Of the habits Of men in different
walks of life, their modes of thought and
expression, and peculiarity of language,
are remarkable; and enables him to
bring himself at once to the level of
those with whom he converses, to use
their own familiar phrases and figures,
and to be thoroughly with them-a
species Of nattery which gratifies, and
is apt to make men communicative. In
conversing with an intelligent English gen.
tleman upon the history, laws, literature,
constitution, or public men Of Great Bri-
tain, the purity and elegance Of his Ian
ggQapSGhft gQapSht OF MS intormatloh, never tailed I'd
surprise; while the men reared in our
western or southwestern States, upon the
frontier, or upon the Mississippi, were ever
glad to talk with him, not only because his
knowledge was equal to their own upon
their favorite topics, but because his Ian
guage, his images, and metaphors were their
own.
He was favorite with all children,
whom he never failed to interest and his
own regarded him as their pleasantest play
mate.
Mr.. Davis's relations with the members
of Congress from and after the first year
of the war were not what the interests OF
the country required. Details upon this
subject we will not give; but, in justice
to him, it is proper to say that if coldness,
Misunderstanding, or representations
frequently followed his intercourse with
them it was not because he was not ar
dently urging the prosecution OF the war
with the utmost vigor. In a body so large
as that composing both Houses of Congress
there are found, of course, some men with
whom public was subordinated to private
interest and some whose zeal for the
public welfare was mingled with selfish
considerations. A wound to their self
esteem told upon their action in public
affairs, and Mr.. Davis's sins in this respect
towards them, real or imaginary, were
seen in their votes and speeches.
His business Office, and the one in which
he assembled his Cabinet, was a small
room in the Treasury at Richmond, not
exceeding twenty-four by eighteen feet IN
length and breadth, furnished with plain
writing table and few chairs, and its
walls covered with maps. A messenger at
the closed door received and delivered the
cards or messages of visitors; and imme-
diately opposite this door, and only some
six feet from it, was the otticeHof the foul
gentlemen composing his personal staff
whose intercourse with him was unrestrlct-
ed, and one or two Of whom were always
in attendance. A portion Of every morn.
ing was given to visitors, and many called
by special appointment, at other hours
TO all who came upon public business, t
increase the army, create supplies, or te
advance the success of the war, he listened
with attention, and was ever ready to re.
ceiye their views; but the proportion o
these to the number who came with per
sonal or selfish objects, or with "aSes t.
grind" was small and towards these hi
| impatience was frequently irrepressible.
Men in high official positions, compelled
at times to listen to all who may choose t.
call upon them, very soon discover tina
not on ly is self-interest too often the obJec
of those whocrowd their reception-room
to the delay of the public business, bu
thatin their eager pursuit of it, impudence
ignorance, and conceit, are but thinly dis
euised under protestation of patriotism
A few years of such experience of huma
nature impress peculiar stamp upon
mans feelings and demeanor IN his inter
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