Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1867-06-06
JEFFERSON DAVIS.

year, having been born June 8, 1903. BE is ma
tive of Christian (now Todd) county, Kentucky.
Soon after his birth his father who was soldier
of the revolution-one of the rebels of'76-re-
moved to Mississippi, where the son received the
ordinary academical education, preparatory to a
higher course at Transylvania College, Kentucky; !;
from which institution he was transferred to West
Point in 1924, where he graduated in 1928. En-
tering the army as Breyet Second Lieutenant, he
remained in the service seven years. For gallant
conduct in the Black Hawk war he was promoted
to First Lieutenant of Dragons On his resigna-
ton in 1885, he became Cotton planter in Mis-
sissippi, living in retirement till l843, when he
began to take IN active part in politics His irst
office was that Of Presidential Eector, in 1874,
when his vote was cast for Polk and Dallas His
first appearance in Congress was in December,
lS45. While in Congress, the first regiment OF
Mississippi volunteers recruited for the war with
Mexico, elected him their Colonel. He promptly
accepted the post and left at once for the seat Of
hostilities, oyertaking his regiment in New Or
leans. At the battle of Buena Vista he won great
distinction, and received severe wound: In l8H
lie took his seat in the United States Senate-Grst
the election of the Legislature.
In 1851, he resigned his seat in the Senate upon
the nomination by his political friends as the oppo-
sing candidate to Henry 8. Foote for the governor
ship of his State. In the election he was defeated
He remained in retirement till 1853, when he was
invited by President Pierce to seat in his Cabi-
net, as Secretary of War This post he held till the
accession of Mr.. Buchanan when he became a.
gain member of the Senate, from which body he
retired on the adoption Of the ordinance Of seces-
sion by his State. AT the meeting OF the Provls-
ional Congress in Montgomery in February, 1861,
he was elected Provisional President of the Con-
ederate States for one year. and afterwards, at IN
election by the people, he was chosen without op-
position President for the term of six years His
full service in two capacities was something over
four years.
Of Mr. Davis intellect, accomplishments and
virtues, the time is not auspicious for Richmond
journal to express ITSELF but we may be permitted
Ito CODY here what John W. Forney, one Of the
bitterst reviers the South has ever had, wrote OF
him in September, 1861, when the report reached
Washington that he was dead. Said Mr.. Forney
"He was an imperious and positive public man.
He rarely surrendered an opinion once formed,
until he degraded himself by throwing behind him
his voluntary professions in favor Of the Union
He was close student, a chivalric opponent, a
steadfast friend, gentleman in al bis relations
"Although undoubtedly the head and heart Of
the rebellion, he went into it reluctantly, as all
who heard his last speech in the Senate will re-
member, when, with broken accents and fearful
eyes, he bade farewell to that body and to all its
greatness Jefferson Davis was blessed with many
accomplishments. He was alike soldier and q
statesman. No. public man of my acquaintance
was more devoted to scientific pursuits, and more
familiar with the abstruse teachings of political
philosophy. No branch Of human knowledge SEEM
ed to be unworthy of his investigation. BE was
equally attentive to classical literature, to the de-
tails Of military life, to the doctrines Of political
parties, to the study Of men and if Professor
Bache, of the Coast Survey, could speak, ne
would say of the fine works, of which he is the ac-
compshed head, and which has latterly proved its
uncomfortable usefulness, that Jefferson Davis
was as conversant with the smallest minutie OF
that noble institution as any other man not direct
" connected with it. he was passionately devo-
ted to the Smithsonian Institute, of which he was
a Regent in former times. He was devoted to the
decoration of this capital, and stood by Captain
(now General Meigs in all his efforts to construct
the water works, to finish the capitol building on
the grandest scale, and to push forward the extern
sion of the Interior and Treasury Departments. =
He was undoubtedly great Secretary of War, and
in this high Office nothing so much delighted him
as to take young men by the hand, and if worthy,
advance them. If he educated Beauregard to de-
stroy the Republic, he conferred many advantages
upon Mcclellan to save it IF he assisted Lee and
Johnston, and thus strengthened their hands for
injury against the flag, he greatly favored Meigs
and Franklin. Richmond Wing.
....et' -, =tttt..