Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1873-08-14
NO. 43.
New Orleans Herald
!eHsTso2 Davis Apologies undeg Challenge.

/ AA'iS SoNA4ulNiiA<Aii, W iiSil a jilcllDGI Oh
the United States Senate, was q great
sufferer.from a painful disease which
deprived him for some time of the use
of his eyes, and reduced him to con
ditlon of great debility aud nervous
irritability. The mental yigor and
spirit of the man would not, however,
permit him to absent himself from his
place in the Senate. lie was, therefore
always in his seat during the sitting of
the Senate, TO which he would be led
BY his wife, but in condition that
excited the profound sympathy of all
who observed him. In the debates
which arose il the Senate he was al
ways close listener, and never failed
to take part when the subject invited
the expression Of his views and was one
In which he took an interest. Natural
~ OF quick temper, always earnest
and Jealous, and not disciplined by the
long practice and experience st the bar
in which most of the senator's had Grad
uated, Mr.. Davis was frequently pro
voked III the warmth of discussion to
language ia passionate and virulent
character, which his cooler adyersaries
would turn to advantage, or make the
|
occasion for placing him in the appar
ent position Of an unprovoked acgres-
sor. But when restored to calmness
and reflection, Mr.. Davis quickly dis
covered and always promptly recog
nized his error, and invariably yolun
teered asonement therefor or yielded
it when demanded of him. 49,
Now, it happened on one occasion
IN debate in the Senate that MIR. Da-
Wis selected. our own DISTINGUISHED
Senator j. /. Benjamin as the object
OF one OF his wrathful and menacine
explosions, and hurled at him an often
slye and personal insult. Mr. BENJAMIN
made no reply in the Senate, but sent
a prompt demand for an apology or the
satisfaction Of a gentleman. Mr.. Davis
replied that he would deliver the an
swer to this demand in the Senate
Accordingly the next day he appeared
IN that august body, and as soon as he
could obtain the floor arose and ad
dressed the president in one of the no
best and most touching amends ever
made by proud and brave man. The
purport of it was that a naturally irrita-
bic temper had not been improved bv
q military life and training and mex
perlenced in civil debate, and that when
to these deficiencies was added a feeble
and depressed physical condition, he
tel7.that lie had claims upon his brother
senators for some indulgence and for
bearancc for exhibitions OF irritability
and acerbity, such as he had displayed
TO the honorable senator from Louisiana
the day before. But it was, indeed, FL
great solaco and relief to him when the
opportunity was afforded him thus
promptly to knowledge his error and
weakness, and to express to the honora
bic senator his sincere sorrow and full
withdrawal Of the offensive remarks in
which he had INDUCED
These word, delivered in the pecu
liar, earnest, and melancholy tones Of
MIR. Davis, produced thrill through
tht whole Senate, and Wien the two
senators advanced and cordially shook |
hands the faces of all the senators were
were lighted up with an expression of
cordial sympathy and admiration of the
high bearing and magnanimity of the
heroic Mississippian.