The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1868-01-08
JEFFERSON DAVIS.

Men in commanding positions, and ming
ling muchwith the world, readily acquire ease
and repose of manner, and control, more or
less perfect, over their emotions: and espec-
tally over all manifestations of surprise and
We not unfreqnently hear them say they are
surprised at nothing" # 49,
This important defensive armor is habitu-
ally worn by Mr.. Davis. Where and when
he acquired it, whether among his Indian
friends Of the frontier, or among christian
.hypocrites, we know not, but he rarely goes
without it. As chief Of the Confederate
States he could listen to the announcement Of
defeat while expecting victory, or to a foreign
dispatch destructive to hopes long cherished,
or to whispers that old friends were becoming
cold or hostile, without exhibiting the slight
est evidence Of feeling beyond a change Of
color, atel;-tale which he could never entire
" command; and yet his sensibilties- are ex-
tremely acute
Under such circumstances, his language
temperate and bland, his voice calm and gen
tie, and his whole person at rest, he presented
rather the appearance of man wearied and
worn by care and labor, listening to something
he knew all about than to one receiving ruin
GUS disclosures. He fully understood and APP
preciated the evils resulting from hasty con-
illusions; and guided by stern conscieu-
tiousness, and schoolsd.b long mental disci.
phne, his iirascible and excitableg nature rare
ly led him into inconsiderate action: Like
an elegant, polished, highly finished, we'll
poised and well charged duelling pistol, whose
hair-trigger responds to the slightest touch,
he could be very readily fred, but he never
went off halfcocked.. A look; a word nay,
his own reflections cause his color to
change, his eyes to fash, and his. form to
|straightenl up rigidly ! but his lips remain;
compressed until judgment opens them. ,,.f
+ He is, usually regarded as a ready man,
prompt in reaching conclusions, and no less
prompt in acting upon them ar. estimate Of
his character which is probably derived from
his administration Of the War Department
under President Pierce, and disseminated by
army people and yet, by all who have ever
been associated with him in public affairs,
he d is probably known to be, .singularly eau
tious, if not procrastinating, in these respects.
H. As President of the Southern Confedera-
cy, hisizeal, industry, and patience, in what
ever he undertook, we're conspicuous /; but he
neither labored with CELEBRITY himself, nor aid
ed others to do so for him. Whatever en-
gagged his attention, however unimportant,
was thoroughly and critically examined and
while, from this well understood habit. his
opinions upon matters which he had investi-
gated commanded great respect among his
friends, they daily saw that affairs of moment
were delayed, not only because he habitually
undertook more labor than he could accom-
Tplish, but that much Of his time was given to
details =. .ss H.
Military life, il all its phases, had for him
a peculiar charm; and military affairs, how
ever minute, rarely failed Is command o. lis pa.
tient industry, whatever might be the claims
Of other matters upon it. No labors of the
War Office we're too small for his attention.
and appointments and promotions Of officers,
questions Of rank, military law and usage,
routine, &C., very often engrossed it, notwith-l
standing Ills entire confidence ii tie expert
ence and judgmeat Of Adjatant- General
Cooper upon all such subjects. m .ga.s
! The amount of attention which he some
times bestowed upon details that are usually
developed upon subordinates surprised all
who wers familiar with lis habits and his
exalted sense Of Justice, andshis desire not
only to be right but to 50 act as to render it
impossible to be wrong, were as visible in
these as in matters of the first Importance.
!, Letters, from, afflicted mothers, relieving
their hearts BY telling him Of the virtues Of
sons Just fallen in battle complaints Of friend
less soldiers, demanding at his hands Justice
for WRONGS inflicted by those ii authority