Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1874-01-16
, rvr vATAL LETTER.

The following is u cOPy VI S"'NS
;nc's letter to Jefferson Davis:
washington, March 20. 1861.
Han IeGerson Davis. President Confederate
I nrSR SIR-Mr. Archibald Roane, for
,be last six or seven years q clerk IN the
Attorney Generals office, desires IRON
me- letter of introduction to you, ana
be desires it, not in view of anticipating
administrative favors, but that he may
have the honor Of your personal inter
conrse. OF this take pleasure IN as
sur;no Won he is eminently worthy. A
Southern man by birth, family ana anee-
tion. he has carefully studied ana aoiy
discussed in Mr.. DeBows RevleW ana
other Southern works the lamentable
vents which have been gradually under
mining and have at lengths overthrown
The American Union. Whilst q practl-
cal man, he is also ripe and accom-
nIished scholar with, indeed, predomi-
hating literary taste and habits. In the
discharge of his official duties he has
combined a singular degree Of the .pursess.t
integrity and most enlightened intelil-
Cenee with a modest contentment IN his
Iot having more than once declined
Offices Of more conspicuous employment
IN the public services. He now resigns
his present Office from sentiment OF at,
tacLment to that which alone he can feel
70 be his country, namely: the Confed-
crate States. from one of which, Texas,
he was appointed. ! most hearty com
mend him as a gentleman and man 10
vour confidence and esteem, and | am,
with highest consideration, your obedient
servant, " Noshi""'
When we consider that this letter was
written lust after the Inauguration OF
Lincoln, who had made very concilia-
tory if not uncertain, address, and had
said previously that he would not be in
favor of coercing the Southern States, 1t
is surprising that its contents at this late
day should cause Cushing 5 defeat for the
Chief Justiceship. Many Northern men,
afterward conspicuous for their services
TO the Union, were at thattime undecided.
Fort Sumter was not fred on until 1.-THE
18th of April, and not one man in ten'
North or South, thought there would be
a war between the States. John Logan
for instance, raised company in South
ern Illinois as late as April, 1861, and
the company went into the Confederate
army and performed gallant service; but
he remained behind, took the other side,
and was rewarded with the highest
Offices. Perhaps, if Senator Sargent
will take the trouble TO rummage through
the Confederate archives bought from
Pickett, he will find other letters equally
as disloyal from meh who stood high in
the confidence of the Republican party.
Gushing is not party man, and that
is bis oGense-not the letter to JEFF Davis.
He is n strict constructionist Of law, and
that is what is not wanted justnow. There
are Senators who are determined to have
the acts of the party sustained, law or
no law, and they know that Gushing is
not their man and could never be made
partisan tool. lie has too much pride
in his legal learning and reputation.
Should've President nominate Conkling,
whose loyalty cannot be questioned. the
opposition among certain aspiring Sem
ators will be equally as great, although
upon different grounds.