Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1867-07-03
JEFFERSON DAVIS.

fifty ninth year, having been born June
3, 1908. He is a native of Christian
(now Todd county, Kentucky. Soon
after his birth, his father, who was SOL
dier of the revolution-ene of the rebels
of '76-remoyed to mississippi, where
the son received the ordinary academi-
cal education, preparatory TO higher
course at Pennsylvania College, Ken
tucky; from which institution he was
transferred to West Point in 1924, where
he graduated in 1923. Entering the
army as brevet Second Lieutenant, he
remained in the service seven years For
gallant conduct in the Black Hawk war
he was promoted to the First Lieutenant
of dragons. On his resignation in 1885
he became cotton planter in Mlssis-
sippi, living in retirement tillilS43, when
he began to take an active part in poll
tics. His first Office was that of Presi-
dental eleetor. in 1914, when his vote
was cast for Polk and Dallas. His first
appearance in Congress was in Decem-
ber, lS45. While in Congress the. First
Regiment Of Mississippi volunteers, re.
cruited for the war with Mexico, elected
him their Colonel, Hepromptly accepted
the post, and left at once for the seat of hos
tilities, overtaking his regiment in New
Orleans. At the battle of Buena Vista
be won great distinction, and received a
severe wound. In l847 he took his seat
in the United States Senate=-frst by ap'
pointment of the Governor, and after
wards by the election of the Legislature.
In 1851 he resigned his seat in the
| Senate upon the nomination OF bus polt'
ical friends as the opposing candidate to
Henry S.. Foote for the Governorship OF
his State. In the election he was de-
feated. He remained in retirement until
1853, when he was invited by President
Pierce to a seat in his Cabinet, as Sec
retary Of War. This post he held until
the accession of Mr.. Buchanan, when he
became again member of the Senate,
from which body he retired on the adop'
ton of the ordinance Of secession by his
State. At the meeting of the Previ-
sional Congress in Montgomery, in Feb
rnary,t 1861, he was elected Provisional
President Of the Confederate States for
one year, aud afterwards, at an election
by the people, he was chosen, without
opposition, President for the term of six
years. His full servicein the two capa-
cities was something over four years.
Of Mr. Davis intellect, accomplish
ments and virtues, the time is not auspi'
cious for Richmond journal to express
itself, but we may be permitted to copy
what John w. Forney, one of tho bitter
est revilers the Socth ever had wrote OF
him in September, 1861, when the report
reached Washington that he was dead.
Said Mr.. Forney:
"He was an imperieus and positive
public man. He rarely surrendered an
opinion once formed, until he degraded
himself by throwing behind him his vol
untary professions in favor of the Union.
He was a close student, chivalric OPP
ponent, a steadfast friend, gentleman
in all his relations, and in his own family
singulsrly kind and genial
"Ahhongh undoubtedly the head and
heart of the rebellion, he went into it
reluctantly, and as all who heard his last
1 speech in the Senate will remember,
when, with broken accents and fearful
ewes. he bade farewell to that body and
TO ali its greatness. Jefferson Davis was
blessed with many accomplishments. He
1 WIS hilht holuitt huu q oNoeVomohs N'N
public man Of my acquaintance was
more devoted to scientific pursuits and
more familiar with the sbstruse teachings
of political philosophy. No branch of
lhuman knowledge seemed 10 be unwor-
thy of his investigation. He was equally
attentive TO classical literature, to the
details Of military life, TO the doctrines
of political parties, to the study Of men
and if Professor Bache, of the Coast
Survey, could speak, be would say OF the
fine works Of which be is the head, and
which has lstterly proved its unconquer-
able usefulhess, that Jefferson Davis was
as conyersant with the smallest minun@
Of that noble institution as any other
man not directly connected with it. lie
was passionaiely devoted to the smith
sonsian institute. OF which be was a he-
gent in former times He was devoted
| to TIE decoration Of the capital, and
stood BY Captain (now Genera) Meigs
in all bis efforts to construct the wafer
works 10 finish the capitol building on
the grandesi scale, and TO push forward
the extension Of the Interior and Irea-
| surv Depsrtmenls He was undoubtedly
a great Secretary Of War, and in thil
high ofice nothing 50 much delighted
him as to take young men. by the hand
and, If worthy, advance them. II be
/. sducsted Beauregau3 70 deFpoy the re-
| public, be conferred advantages upon
| Mcclellan to save L. II he assisted Lee
"a T.krrfor. .ou.1 .fhur. rfrpnrf hanrd