The Sumter watchman. [volume] (Sumterville, S.C.) 1855-1881, 1871-06-28
JEFFERsoN DAVIS.

We seldom publish Communications
from other papers, but Che following is
so just and withal SO moderate and dig
ui6ed, that we give it to our readers, as
a fair and manly exemplar Of true
Southern opinion: ~
THE SOUTH AND NIB. DAVIS.
To the Editor of the Charleston News.
Oue Of the most humiliatiug signs Of
the times is to be found in the comments
of certain editors of Southern nevspa-
pers on Mr. Davis recent speech at
Atlanta. 1t is no: the purpose Of the
writer either 10 endorse or repudiate, iu
any particular. the sentiments Of that
speech. 1t would, perhapr have been
more becoming, as well as more prudent.
If DR.. Davis had maintained perfect
silence in reference to the political
situation. But, certainly, it must be
deeply mortii5iug to all true men
eyerywhere-North as we'll as South
to note the alacrity with which South
ern men abuse and yillify the man whom
they so recently admired and honored.
Mr. Davis is no longer "the founder Of
a new nation" He can no longer dis
pense patronage aud confer power. He
is now only the e1 leader Of q "Lost
Cause" But, notwithstanding this
great change, be is the very same Jef.
fersou Davis be was in 1861. He is
ideutically the same man to whom. 10
less mercenary days, an unanimous
South entrusted the leadership of the
cause for 1hose support they "pledged
their lives, their fortunes, aud their
sacred honor" This cause has been
irrevocaby lost, and the Southern peo-
pie are very desirods Of the restoration
of harmony between the sections Of the
country lately at war. But, unless I
am greatly mistaken. they are utterly
unwilling TO attain this end by sacrif-
cling their self-respect. They have
maintained aud exercised the right
freely to criticise the official and public
conduct of Mr.. Davis. as we'll az Of other
men. But they cannot, without deep
degradation, condescend, in compliance
with a fanatical prejudice, to positive
abuse and villi6catiou of their own
deliberately chosen leader and champion.
If peace can only be purchased BY such
humiiatiug condesceusion, then let
discord reign forever. We cannot de.
grade Jefferson Davis Without degrading
ourselves. He staUds forth now, aud
he will stand forth forever, as the rep
resentative of the Confederate cause.
The character of the people Of the Con-
federate States is judged Of now. and
will be Judged of by the most distant
by the character of their
chosen head. And why should We
deprecate such ajudemeut? 1t may be
true that Nrr. Davis has made great
mistakes. It may be even, as some
assert, that our cause was lost through
his mismanagement. But when the
passio MS of the hour shall have subsidized,
it will not be denied that, with all Of
his faults and shortcomings. he mani
tested, in an extraordinary degree,
courtesy, dignity, courage fortitude,
fidelity, humanity, and "all that makes
a.man." Jefferson Davis has stood by
the South with unshaken constancy and
courage. During his long
Imprisonment, without the aid Of one
friendly voice to cheer his solitude and
confirm his courage. he was not unmind-
ful even for one moment Of the dignity
and fortitude becoming the leader Of q
brave though ruined people. It then
became manifest that the honor Of the
South was dearer to him than life itself.
To the name Of common decepcy. there
fore, let not Southern men swell the
rruks Of those who deiame aud abuse
him. If we canpot endorse h,s seuti.
men,s, let us say so with candor and
irmr css; but beyond this the history
IF the past forbids US to go.
AoRIcoLA.
Darlington, s. C. June, 1871.