The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1873-09-10

Hon. JEFFERSON DAVIS ExpL. MS
The editor Of the Memphis Appeal has
had an interview with Hon. Jefferson
Davis in relation to the speech OF the
latter before the Southern Historical
Society at Montgomery (Yirginia)
Springs, which has created 80 much
comment. In the course OF the inter
view Mr. Davis said:
1t seems strange, indeed, that few
remarks addressed 70 few friends and
associates on subject upon which be-
tween them and myself there could be
no diversity of opinion, with the pro-
priety of q historical vindioation of the
cause and conduct of the Southern peo.
pie in the late war, should be regarded
as an address made to the public with
any expectation of affecting political
opinion. But waving all this. The
expression which is usually referred to
is that the Southern people have been
moro Cheated than conquered" Now,
is this true or not? Did tho Congress
OF the United States, by solemn resoli.
tions, not assure the people of the South
that there was no purpose to interfere
with the institutions of the States; that
the object was to preserve the Union
and the purposes for which it was or
dained and established? Did not the
Executive (Mr. Lincoln) by proclaim.
tion give like assurance to the people OF
the Southern States? Did not United
States generals commanding depart.
ments encourage the Same belief among
the people? And did not this lead to
the impression on the part of very many
that the war was waged for an abstrac.
ton, or at most for the preservation of
property in slaves? And was not the
consequence frequent desertion in the
winter of 1864'65, and were not people
reluctant to furnish commissary sup
plies for the support of the (Confede.
rate) armies? Aud was not all this the
result of the belief that their material
interests and domestic peace might ex-
ist as we'll under one government as the
other, as the result justified that belief?
LIZ there any well-informed man who will
not say that had the armies known what
surrender would bring, that they wonld
and could have continued the struggle,
and that the people Of the country. as
long as they had any food, would have
contributed it freely to the support OF
the armies, and that the contest would
have continued until the invader, weary
of what might be regarded an endless
struggle, would have retired, and, in the
language OF General Scott. allowed the
''erring sisters to go in peace!"
In relation to the remark "that the
men Of this day may yield tho principles
for which they contended, but the chill
dren who succeed them will cherish and
perpetuate them," Mr.. Davis said:
The remark was connected with a
compliment to the women of tho South,
whose patriotism and adherence to truth
had been proof against oil the severe
trials to which the war had subjected
them. And so hope was founded on
the supposition that, though my own
sex might give way to the necessities Of
the hour, the mothers OF tho rising gen.
Grafton would teach their children the
principles for which we had struggled,
and that thus they would be perpe-
tnatcd, and in some happier hour, per-
haps, be moro successfully maintained
than they had by ourselves. I have SO
often and SO publicly said that no peo.
pie over 80 we'll bore themselves under
all tho tests of danger and priva!ion ms
the mon OF the Confederate nrmy, and
so deeply honor and admire them for
their galIantry and conduct, that am
more than II little surprised that nuy
other sentiment should be attributed TO
me.
A WIFE'S STRATAGEM.- Some days
since, j. Il. White, prominent citizen
OF Memphis. was arrested on the charge
OF horse stealing, and within few days
OF he 4