New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1873-09-06
an UNNECESSARY EXPLANATION

Mr.. Jefferson Davis explains. There was
no need of it. Great blunders are always
made worse by explanations. Mr. Davls's
explanation is no. exception to the rule HIS
mistake in his late speech before the South
ern Historical Society was less in what he
said, though that was silly and blind beyond
measure, than in his speaking at all. Mr..
Davis is himself an embodied blunder,
monumental mistake. 1t makes no difference
what he says, or what he means by tit might
be entirely sensible and patriotic-the trouble is
that the people have had enough and too
much of him, and they don't want to hear him
even in the Apostles Creed or the pentential
psalms. Having made his speech at the
White Sulphur Springs, in which he said
"the South was cheated and not conquered"
that "the cause was not lost" that he had
"neyer seen reconstructed female" and an
abundance of similar drivel, it might be sup
posed, with such an alighting on the top
most round of idOcy and an unfurling of
ears that would fan half hemisphere with
their Tapping, he could be content. But be
isn't. He comes again. He insists upon ex-
planning. The Kisses have hardly died
amid which his curtain fell last when he
pops out again to tell why he thinks the
{" South was cheated, not conquered" and why
he said "the cause was not lost" &c.
What matters it'll Suppose it Is true that
the South would not have surrendered had the
reconstruction system been anticipated, or the
fate of Louisiana and the carpet bagged States
been foreseen. Suppose it Is true that lt-ah,
amazing and tremendous 1.-THE situation had
been foreseen, "they would have prolonged
{" the war by Withdrawing more into the inte-
rior so as to compel the enemy to lengthen
I" his lines Of communication" it being the
I" opinion Of soldier, now no more, and on
whose Judgment the greatest reliance was
" placed, that in the mountains of Virginia
4" defensive war could have been con-
L" tinued for twenty years." In mercy's
name, what of itf So, too, if one tenth
part of the disclosures that have been made
in the past nine months had been brought to
light one year ago to-day the Administration
marty would have been defeated in the Presi-
Dental election. 1t is true enough that had
the condition of the States that have been
shpwrecked and plundered by carpet-baggers
and thieves for the past eight years been at
all anticipated there would very likely have
been no surrender. That affairs are pretty
had at the South no one denies. But they
were q great deal worse under Mr. Jefferson
Davis. 1t does not lie in his mouth to criti-
else or condemn.
1t is not proposed to hoot him into silence"
or "deny him the American right of free
/" speech," as some Southern journals suggest.
He can speak when and where he pleases 1t
il altogether question Of taste. But we beg
the privilege of repeating that for Jefferson
Davis, who led in great conspiracy which
cost his country such tremendous sacrifices to
nut down who. in all the bloody struggle
which his mad ambition caused, never sacri-
feed hair or lost meal whose adminstra-
ton of power was petty, and his defeat and
flight disgraceful; who never paid PEN
atty 0r uttered regret for most