Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1868-09-16
JEFFERSON DAVIS.
Extremist POIIard's RaSCaIIy At
tack upon Him.

Here is the attack which E. A. Pollard
makes on Mr. Davis in his Political
Pamphlet, recently published: --..
1t is painful to learn OF this descent of
the famous Confederate chief to trading
in his former reputation; it is almost i'm
possible to credit such prostitution OF his
torical dignity; and yet, after all, it is
quite characteristic, accepting the theory
Of this writer, that Jefferson Davis, how
ever vulgar impressions rated him as ac-
tor in great cause, or the partislity of Q
political party disguised him as It's leader,
was really nothing more than the most
accomplished and insolent eharlatan Of
his times. 1t is remarkable that the uu-
worthy character of this man is becom-
ing better known by a steady progress of
historical appreciation; aud he has i.;;ss;;
given an almost conclusive illustration
of it in the httleness and meanness tn
which he has sunk in misfortune in 2
foreign land,
In the nrst bitterness Of ofdissppointment
Of the South st the close of the war, Mr..
Davis was execrsted and when the Con-
federate troops marched through Rich
mond TO the last desperate front at Pc
tersburg, there were sullen cries OF hate
and derision for the ruler, who was then
quaiiing in the seeresy of his chamber or
preparing with tFepidation on hurried
but sumpluOus baggage for bis flight.
de was In some measure restored to the
pity and affection Of the South by the
accident OF his imprisonment. He suf-
fered with dignity, and even those OF his
countrymen who were disposed to re-
proach him at other times could only re-
fer generously and cOmpsssionstely to
the fallen chief who bore 60 we'll the
pains Of imprisonment, and even the
shame Of fetteFs. Well for Mr.. Davis
fame II ne had died in the romantic mar
tyrdom Of Fortress Monroe The South
was disposed to forgive him much, solely
on account OF the personal dignity he
bestowed on the misfortunesof of the cause
he nsd ruined; and now this last claim
on the generosity Of his countrymen he |
has flung away. He has been released |
from prison, only to exhibit the drags of
character essentially selfish and mean,
and TO prove in the last opportunities of
his life the correctness of that opiDion !
which formerly held him q shallow adj |
ventureR and fortune-hunter. The for |
mer ruler of the Southern Confederacy |
and the present commission merchant Of |
Liverpool has made himself the ruin of |
his country and the scandal of his age.
The writer of this Article has, even at |
the risk 0f separation fEOm his friends,
and OF good deal of MISREPRESENTATION |
by MS enemies, persistenly held to the |
opinion that jefferson Davis was not 8 |
great man, that he lacked the essential |
requisites of such q character. thst he |
was merely nsrrow-braiped charlatan, |
possessed OF much address, and some |
shallow literary cOmplishments which |
dazzled vulgar criticism and BETRAYED |
the admiEation- Of the popalaee. This /
notion has been greatly resented by GER
tain deolamatory eulogists OF Mr.. Davis,
men who Violently associated the virtues
OF his person with the merits of the Con.
federats cause. But such an association,
we insist, is not proper or logical. Mr.
Davis was, sby an deciCteRt of the war,
thrust into Importance by fictitious In.
Auences; he added nothing to its inspi-
ration, and he made of q great cause
only game Of his own selfisbness and
an experiment of his own vanity,
The most striking quality. the most
constant and significant event of Mr.
Davis administration, was his isalous
repulsion Of advisers and assistants. and
bis descent to rivalry in popularity with I
his subordinates aud lfeutenauts He
had q pueriie e2gerness to appropfiate
all the honors OF the Confederate cause,
and TO wear them consplcuously in the
sight Of the world, In this be denarted
from the true line of greatness, and fell
from every summit to which fortune
raised him. It is the unfailing charse-
teristic OF the great man that he never
dsscends TO composition with his subor-