Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1875-03-19
MIR. JEFF. DAVIS.
HIS Enemies viii. Persist in Sticking
90 their Text of Persecution ana
Defamation.
Cincinnati Times Of the 18th.

A few days ago we published letter
written last month to Maryland friend,
apparently designed to ,cOnciliate north
eTn sentiment, in the course of which he
denies having used the following Ian
gIage at Stevenson, Alabama, in 1861,
as alleged by Mr.. Creswell, several years
ago, in his eulOgy on the late Henry
Winter Davis: 1--WE will carry war
where it is easy to advance-Where food
for the sword and torch await our armies
in the denseIy populated Cities" etc.
The disavoWal is certainly rather taTdy,
as this was actually telegraphed through
the south at the time as part OF his Ste
venson speech, and is embodied in the
history Of The american Conflict, by
his bondsman and friend, Horace Gree
ley, published in 1854. On page Ais of
the first volume of that work, we find
the oWing-the date mentioned be-
ing February II, 1861:
"Mr. Davis reached Montgomery on
the seventeenth, by special train from
Jackson, his progress being one contin-
ual ovation. He made twenty-five
speeches on the route to enthusiastic
crowds, and was welcomed on his ar
rival at Montgomery by a vast con-
course. He was inaugurated next day
with most imposing ceremonies"
In a note on the same page, with
reference from the word speeches." I"
Mr.. Greeley says:
The True Delta New Orleans) of Feb
ruary 10th, contains the following tele-
graphic synopsis of Mr.. Davis's speech
on leaving Jackson for Montgomery: {:
"He alluded to the difficulties of con-
stTucting q new government, and how
these difficulties are enhanced by the
threatening elements in the north. 1t
may be that we will be confronted by
war, that the attempt will be made to
blockade our ports, to starve US out;
but they know little Of the southern
heart, of southern endurance. No
amount Of privation could force US to
remain in q Union on unequal terms.
England and France would not allow
our great staple to be damned up
within our present limits; the starving
thousands In their midst would not al
low 1t. We have nothing to appTehend
from blockade. But, if they attempt
invasion by land, 1Ue must take the aOar
out of our territory. II war must come,
ii must be upon northern, and not upon
southern soil. In the meantime, if they
were prepared to grant US peace, to
recognize our equality, ali is we'll"
And the following extract from one OF
those speeches, made at Stevenson, Ala
bama, faithfully embodies the joyous
anticipation with which the struggle
then imminent, was commenced by the
Confederates:
"Your border States will gladly come
into the southern Confederacy within
sixty days, as we will be their only
friend. England will recognize US, and
a glorious future is before us. The grass
will grow in northern cities, where the
pSvements have been worn off by the
tread of commerce. We mil carry the
lUdr IDheTe it is easy to Advance -1OteTe
food for the sUOrd and torch d1OGits our
armies ia densely populated cities; and
though they (the enemy may come and
spoil our crops, we can raise them as be-
fore; 10hHe they cannot rear the cities
IChich took gears of industry, and mill
ions Of money to build"
In spite OF this late denial, we find it
easier to believe that Mr.. Davis has now
forgotten what ne said, under the excit-
ing influences which surrounded him on
that occasion, than that these cotempo-
rary reports Of his own friends were un-
truthful. The language quoted is fully
in accord with the ssnguine and jubi-
LIANT spirit then prevailing throughout
the revolted south. Its substantial ac-
curacy, too, seems highly probable in
view Of the wanton conhsgration Of
Chambersburg, and of the invasion or
attempted invasion Of northern terrific
ry during every campaigning season
while the war lasted, until Lee, in the
last campaign, was driven back upon
Richmond, and. Davis precipitately fed,
and became 8 captive IN the merciful
hands Of the government he had SO
bosstfully defied.