Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1873-09-02
INTERVIEWp WITH Mr.. DAVIS.
Tie stareserssd Expressions Of Our 'E.:r-;
President.
IFrom ttetr,ne,bure' hsSub;ieia.lE

MOI 70 Ues outuoue fDy euf- Nofthern- cotem>i
.poraries, the Repubztcua sdIspatched a res
porter to the Montgomery White Sulphur
Springs, for the purpose Of interviewing
exsPresident j efferson Davis, with the result
recorded below, the genuineness and correct
nessof:which We de not hesitate to tvouch for:
reporter are looking remarkably
well, Mr. Davis. suppose it is caused by
your release from exhaustive public duties?
4tlr. Ddeis.-Nty health is better thaniit has
been for years, and is nodoubt attributable to:
the cause you specify.
Reporter ow long will you tarrys at this
watering place, sir2
Mr.. Davis-For a few days only; possibly
not;more than forty gbt hours.
Reporter-Was your visit to this place an
accident or by special invitation
Mr.. Daois.-Not by any special invitation,
certainly; but it.has been a special privilege.
To meet with Generals Beauregartd, Early,
Lee, Pickett, Preston, Maary, Admiral Sem
mes, Gov. Letcher and others, was Reunion
I never anticipated. To leave them, SEEM
ingly SO abruptly, 4 greatly regret.
Reporfer.-Will your remarks before the
Southern Historical Association, on yesterday,
not be subjected to severe structures by the.
Northern press
Mr.: Dduis.-That may be, that as s'sensa-
tional" is their food, and there is dearth In
this line justnow. To object to my speech
per Sc will only prove the gag Law system Of
the Republican party. To combat what I
stated would be as fruitess as resisting tile
DEGREES of foreshadowed destiny. No goy>i
eminent under mere Observation-Disclosures
has ever SO far severed from fundamental
principles as this of ours "A third term.
would centralize US into Imperialism. Topub.
lie men, whose life time has been spent in
studying the science of governments, the
present tendency of things is very depressing.
I am more than ever convinced that military
men, especially fresh for the field of victory,
are not the men to administer civil affairs
What does Gen. Grant know of those princi-
pies of constitutional liberty in which the
safety of our Republic depends? His edu-
cation has been purely military his habits
of thought and action have led him to crash
opposition as the first necessity; to dictate
line of policy not to be deviated from under
any circumstances to lay down his "base of
operations, and fight it out on that line" To
compel himto study International Law at this
period of Ills life, to practice diplomacy, aud
appreciate the genias of our institutions,
would be as impossible as distastefhl. NIen>
tai science is "a falsity If our reasoning be in>
correct %
Reporsr.-Did not Cen Washington and
Gen. jackson make most admirable Presi-
dents?
lkr. Davis.-Neither of them were mili-
tary men. Necessity made them leaders, ed,
ucation did not. Patriotism threw them into
tho breach, ambition did not, nor painting
for military honors. Their minds were more
those Of statesmen than Of heroes. Hence
the soldier at once became absorbed IN the
civilian. Neither Washington nor jackson
we're surrounded by favorites from the field
or partizans from party.
Heporter.-I perceive you fear the military
Mr.. DaOis.-Military and civil law are op-
posites. The one the antagonist of the other
in spirit aud nature. Caesar. through the mill
tary, became the Roman Empire Napoleon,
through the military, became Dictator and
Emperor. Infnse military spirit through
the people, let tire press disseminate it, and ere
quadrennial we will be virtually an Tn,peri-
alism. The failure of the South was fearful
blow to constitutional liberty. IF the North
does not now possess salt enough to preserve
already threatening
Society accomplish any practican results?
in the matter are su cieut guarantee for this.
General Early has been of invaluable service
already in this way. He has studiously
watched every article upon the t.J.ate War"
which has appeared in our periodical literature
and corrected errors in figures or facts Max
ing him President of this society will make
him the more active and vigilant. With Early
upon the land forces aud Semmes upon the
sea. we may be confident of satisfactory results.
Reportor.-May ask for further light upon
that portion of your speech of yesterday, in
which you say. 1--WE have been cheated rather
than conquered, and could We have foreseen
the results of the surrender we would have
been free to-day p
Mr. Daois.-Thnt is my conviction Had
our leaders and soldies ever dreamed of the
evils now upon the Southern States, as the
result of Radical rulef they would have pro-
tracted the struggle until ''rebcls became pa
triots. What South Carolinian would not
sooner have died upon the field. than live with
negro Legislature, Frustrated business and
ruined State7 What Louisianan would not
prefer following 1,ongstreet in the field to
Longstreet as tool in New Orleans? We
were cheated not conquered, and hope to
see the day when our prenciples will become,
as they once were, the principles will become,
10 lucy ouCe were, tue OF our gov
eminent, republican rot imperial, States
rights, not States usurped, constitutional not
"higher law" Excuse me from talking
longer, as the few hours have to spend here
forbid a protracted interview. I hope to have
sufficient leisure soon to complete work,
which is as dear to my heart as its contents
may be useful to coming generations My
silence must not be interpreted into indiffer-
ence, nor my retiracy into supineuess. The
cause is not lost; principles are eternal
SUSPENDED AN1MAT1oN-A special to
the Baltimore American from Westminster,
Md, gives an account of most extraordi>
nary case of resuscitation. Wm. A. Mat
thias, young man twenty-five years of age,
died Gas was supposedly on Sunday morning
of brain fever. The body was put on ice,