Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1870-06-17
How Jefferson Davis Came Co be Elected
President or the Confederate StateE.

How Jefferson Davis Came to be Elected
President OF the Confederate StateE.
From advance sheets of Mr.. Stephens
E'War Between the States" we make the
following interesting historical extract:
Major Heister-Pray tell MS. Mr.. Steph-
ems, if you have no objection, how this
! came about-How Mr.. Davis came to be
chosen President, and you Vice President,
under these circumstances
Mr.. Stephens--I have no objection 10
giving you my opinion on the subject, as
to how Mr. Davis came to be chosen under
the circumstances. It is, however, only
an opinion. I was somewhat surprised
myself at both results as they occurred,
but as took only very small part in the
elections any way [ cannot speak OF my
own knowledge as to but few facts connec-
ted with either. The conclusion / came
to from all the facts / learned from others
before and afterwards, was thst the selec-
ton of Mr.. Davis grew out of a misap-
prehension on the part of the delegates of
one, or perhaps two or three, OF the States
in their consultations of the night before
as to the man that the Georgia delegation
had determined to present. A majority of
the States, as / understood, and afterwards
learned, were looking to Georgia for the
President.
Major Heister-Who was the man Geor-
gia had determined to present
MI. Stephens-Georgia at that time had
not acted in the matter. Her delegation
did not hold their consultation until next
morning. Mr.. T0Ombs was the man whom
they then unanimously agreed to present;
at least there was perfect unanimity on
the subject with all the delegates in atten-
dance. Two. Mr.. Hill and Mr.. Wright,
were absent. L now speak of my
own knowledge. L was at this NEST
ing Of the Georgia delegation,
and therein was acted the only
part l took i'll the matter. That was by
making the motion for Mr.. Toombs' nomi-
nation to the Convention, supposing that
1t would be unanimously acceptable to that
body; but IN this meeting, it was stated
after my motion was made. that two or
three of the States in their consultations,
which had Eeen held the night before, had
determined to present the name Of Mr.. Da-
Wis. The fact only, without any reason for
it, was stated. 1t was stated also, only as
something which had been heard, but not
positively known. On this announcement,
committee of our delegation, of which
Mr.. Crawford was chairman, or perhaps
he alone, Il am not certain whether any
or now many moro were united with him), |
was appointed, to ascertain if what had
been heard in relation to the actions of the |
other States referred to, was true and if
it was, it was understood, at the instance |
of MIR. Toombs, that his name was not to |
be presented by Georgia. and that our del |
egation would vote for Mr.. Davis, and |
have no contest on the subject.
In this meeting of our delegation, after
the announcement alluded to had been !
made, and the course in reference to it |
had been resolved upon, Mr.. Kcnan
moved, that in case what had been stated |
as rumor should be found true, and the
name of Mr. TOOmbs should not be pre-
scented for the first office, then mine should |
be for the second. This motion was cor
daily seconded by MIR. Nisbet. and was
unanimously agreed to, after distinct IN
derstanding arrived at, by what L said in
reference to it, which was, that in no event
was my name to be presented, unless it was
first ascertained positively, that Mr.. Da-
Wis name was to go before the Conven-
ton, and not that of Mr.. Toombs, and fur
ther, that my name would be unanimous
ly acceptable to the States and their re-
epective delegations. These points the |
committee of our delegation was instruct
ed speedily to inquire into and report.