Bristol news. [volume] (Bristol, Va. & Tenn.) 1867-189?, 1874-03-24

way to sustain the cause. And with
all expression of sincerity glowing all
over his counteDance, and with a rev.
erential pathos | can never forget, he
said: And God knows my heart, l
ask all, ALL, for the cause; nothing,
NOTHING for myself" Truer words
never fell from nobler lips, nor warmed
from the heart of a more devoted pa
triot. The words express III language
the soul, the mind. the purpose, aye,
the ambition of Jefferson Davis 1t
was his misfortune, and the misfOr-
tune of the COnfederacy, that this was
not true of all who were i'll authority.
1t was bis fault, perhaps. that he did
no: use his authority to deprive such
OF their power TO DO evil.
THE REMOVAL OF GENERAL JOHN
STON.
am speaking in Atlanta, and it is
all the more proper. therefore, that /
should speak for the first time in pub
lie of the removal of General Johnston
from the command of the Army of
the Tennessee.
| have heard it said that 1 advised
that removal. This is not true.
gave no advice upon the subject be-
cause was not q military man, You
have all heard it said that Mr.. Davis
was moved by personal hostility to
johnson in making this REMOVAL
This is not only not true, but is ex-
ceedingly false. do know much on
the subject of this removal, l was the
bearer of messages from General john
ston to the President, and was i'll Rich
moud, and sometimes present, at the
discussions on the subject. never saw
as much agony i'll Mr. Davis face as
actually distorted it when the possible
necessity for this removal was first
suggested to him. [ never heard an
euIogy pronounced upon General
Johnston by his best friends. equal to
that which | heard from Mr.. Davis
during these discussions, L know
he consulted with General Lee fully
earnestly, and anxiously before this,
perhaps, unfortunate removal. /
Know that those who pressed the re-
moval, first and most earnestly, in the
Cabinet, were those who had been
most earnest for General JOhnstOn's
original appointment to that COM
mand. All these things | do perso-
nally know. / was not present when
the order for removal was determined
oil, but l received it Immediately from
member of the Cabinet, and do not
doubt its truth hat Mr.. Davis was the
very last man who gave his assent to
that removal,
THE HAMPTON ROADS COMMISSION.
The full history of the Hampton
Roads commission and conference has
never been written. L will not give
that history now. Much has been
said and published on the subject
which Is not true. | know why each
member of that commission, on our
part, was selected. | received from
MIR. Davis own lips a full account of
the conversation between himself and
the commissioners, before their depar-
ture.
You have heard it said that the Pres
ident embarrassed the commissioners,
by giving them positive instructions
to III AXE the recognition of our indie
pendence and uitumaIum-a cundl-
ton precedent to any Negotiations
This is not true. Mr.. Davis gave the
commissioners no written instructions
and 10 ultimatum. He gave them, in
conversation, his view, but leaving
much to their discretion, They could
best Judge how to conduct the confer
ence when they met. His own Opin-
ion was. that il would be most proper
and wire SO to conduct the
conference when they met, as
to Yeceiue, rather than make, PROPOSE
tons. While he did not feel author
lied to yield our Independence in
advance, and should not do so, and
while he did not desire them to de-
ceive Mr.. Lincoln, or be responsible
for any false impression Lincoln
night have, yet, he was willing for
them to secure an armistice, although
they might be satisfied that Mr.. LIN
coin, in agreeing to it, did so under
the belief that reunion must, as re-
suit, follow. | may add that Mr.. Da-
Wis had no hope of success, or OF secu-
ring an armistice, after he learned that
Mr.. Seward was to accompany Mr..
Liucoln. "Mr. Lincoln" he said lis
an honest, well-meaning man. but
Seward is willy and treacherous."
[ could detain you all hight cor
recting false imp essions which have
been industriously made against this
great aud good man. L know Jefferson
Davis as know few men l have been
near him i'll public duties; L have
seen him by his private freside; l
have witnessed lis humble Christian
devotion; and | challenge tie judg-
mept of history when | say, no people
were ever led though the fiery struggle
for Liberty by truer, nobltr PARROT;
l., IL 4, Of nnH tho trIals
of public life never revealed purer
and more beautiful Christian character.
Those who, during the struggle, pros
tituted public office for private gain; or
used position to promote favorites; on
forgot public duty to avenge private
griefs; or were derelict and faithless i'll
any form, to our cause, are they who
condemn and abuse Mr.. Davis. And
we'll they may, for, OF all SUCH be was
the contrast, the rebuke and enemy.
Those who were willing to sacrifice
self for the cause; who We're willing to
bear trials for its success; who were
willing to reap sorrow and poverty
| that victory might be won, will ever
cherish the name of Jefferson Davis
| for, to all such, he was glorious peer
and a worthy leader.
I would be ashamed OF my own un'
worthiness if did not veDerate Lee
I / would scOrn my own nation If DID
not love Davis would question my
own integrity and patriotism ii 1 did
not honor aud admire both. There
are some who affect to praise Lee and
condemn Davis. But of all such Lee
himself would be ashamed. No two
| leaders ever leaned, each OIL the other
in such beautiful trust and resolutt
confidence. Hand in hand and hear
in heart they moved IN front of the
dire struggle of their people for indie
| pendenee-a noble pair OF brothers,
And in fidelity to the right, endurance
of trials. and sacrifice Of self for others
can win title to place with The gooe
i'm the great hereafter. then Davis ant
Lee will meet where wars are no
waeed AID slanderers are not leard
and as heart in heart. and wing Il
wing they fly through the courts o
heaven, admiring angels Will say
what a noble pair of brothers
PIE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE
I 7he sadtest chapter IN Confederate
4 I-aE.f tori IN n