The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1868-04-14
SIXTEENTH veLUME--NUMBER SIS.

suggestion four new regiments--two OF cavalry
were added to the army, and numerous appro-
priations made for the construction of new forts,
improvements in small arms, and the accumula-
tion of munitions of war" ....sa. aga a-}
! A great deal has been said .and written on the
| failure to obtain results from the victory Of
| Manassls and the author Of the present volume
could scarcely, in justice to Mr. Davis. pass oyer
hat controyerted question. The reader viii lind
| it thoroughly discussed. aud also full details Of
the steps taken by the Confederate authorities to
| mitigate the herrors of war by facilitating the
exchange of prisoners, and the manner in which
their advances were met by the Federal Govern
mept. $50 -laa
Speaking of Mr. Davis persistent belief in the
ultimate triumph of the Coniederacy, the author
says: ss..z-.-. af+-a s.a i*- 'a
That he did not fully comprehend the wide
spread Decentralization of the South in the last
months of the war, is hardly to be questioned.
Judging men by his own exalted nature. he con-
ceived it impossible that the South could ever
abandon its hope of independence. lie did not
realize how men could cherish an aspiration for
the future, which did not embrace the liberty Of
their country No sacrifice OF personal interests
or hopes were, in his view. too great to be de-
manded of the country in behalf of cause. for
which he was at all times ready tn surrender his
-
sanguinc and resolute spirit was the natural pro-
duet, and it is paltry view of such qualities to
characterize them as the proof of defective intel
Ct. Just such qualities have won the ba1tles
of liberty in all ages. Washington, at Valley
forge. with a wretched remnant of an ARMY,
which was yet the last hope of the country, and
with even more gloomy future Immediately be-
fore him, declared that in the last emergency he
would retreat to the mountains of Virginia, and
there continue the struggle in the hope that he
would yet lift the flag of his bleeding country
from the dust" In the same spirit Jefferson
Davis would never have abandoned the CoRfed-
crate cause 50 long as it had even semblance Of
popular support. 'I .s,7..4. tsl,.'.'-.'' f'Fi'
Almost to the last moment of the 'onfederacy,
he continued to cherish the hope of a reaction in
the public mind, which he believed would be
immediately kindled to its old enthusiasm bya
decided success. 1t was in recognition of this
quality of infexible purpose, as much as OF any
other triit Of his character. that the South orr
ginally intrusted Davis with leadership Fit
leaders of revolutions not usually found IN
men of half hearted purpose, wanting in resolu-
ton themselves and doubling the fidelity of those
whom they govern. Desperate trial is the oe-
cason which calls forth the courage of those truly
great men, who while ordinary men despair.
confront agony itself with sublime resolution. ,
If ingenuity and magnty have combined to
exaggerate the faults of Mr. Davis, the love Of
his eountrymen, the candor of honorable enemies
and the intelligence of mankind have recognized
his intellectual and moral greatness. The world
to day does not afford such example of those
blended qualities which constitute the title to
universal excellence. For one in his position,
the leader of bold, warlike, intelligent and dis
corning people, there was demanded that union
of ardor and del beration which he so peculiarly
Illustrated Revolutionary periods imperatively
demand this union of capacities fer Thought and
action. he peculiar charm OF Mr. Davis is tho
perfect poise of his faculties; an almost exact
adjustment of qualities; Of indomitable energy
aud winning grace heroic courage aud tender
affection; strength of character aud almost ex-
ccsSive compassion; of calculating judgment and
knightly sentiment; acute penetration and nnaly.
sis; comprehensive perception; laborious habits,
and almost universal knowledge. OF him il may
be said as of Hamilton "He wore the blended
wreath cf arms of law, of craftsmanship, of ora
tory OF letters Of scholarship of practical affairs;y
aud in most Of these fields OF distinction Mr. Davis
has few rivals AMONG the public men of America.
g But it is altogether fallacious suppc sitiou
that the military situation of the Confederacy, in
the last winter of the war was beyond reclania-
ton. j he most hasty glance at the situation
revealed the feasibility of destroying Sherman,
when he turned northward from Savannah. with
PR per concentration of the forces yet available.
President Davis anxiously sought TO secure this
concentration, but was disappointed by csluses
which need uot here lie related vs t So q
The book is got ont in good style, and enriched
with an excellent engraving Of the distinguished
soldier and statesman Of which it treats. 1t 10
issued simultaneously by the Caxton Publishing
House in Cincinnati and Chicago, aud by the
National Publishing House in Philadelphia and
Richmond