The Pascagoula democrat-star. (Pascagoula, Miss.) 1878-1920, 1878-06-28
PAsCAGOULA JACKSON COUNTY, MISS, JUNE %, 1878.
Letter from Hon. Jefferson Davis.
BEAuvoIR, HARRISON Co., Miss,
june 10th, 1873.
Hon. h. BerLsdoie-My Dear Sir:

Letter from Hon. jefferson Davis.
BEAuvoIR, HARRISON Co., Miss,
June 10th, 1873.
Hon. h, Berksdale-My Dear SIR:
The speech of Mr.. Singleton, the
notice of the Clarion, and the letter
of Hon. Reuben Davis published by
the same, with editorial comment,
prompt me to write to you briefly
on the subject matter therein re-
ferred to.
/ gratefully acknowledge the
friendship which dictated your
editorial notice, aud equally appre-
ciate the same spirit in the speech
of Mr.. Singleton which suggested
it. The only material difference
which | perceive exists between
yOu, grows out of the different cir
crmstances under which the acts
referred to were performed. From
the earliest period when | could be
said to have had a decided opinion
upon the character of the union Of
the States, my unvaryiug creed has
been, that the right of State to
secede from the union, was inherent
in the sovereignty which each pos
sessed, but that the exercise of that
right was IA great, but not the
greatest of political evils, and
should therefore only be resorted to
when all other means had been eX-
hausted TO secure the liberties and
welfare which the Union was formed
to perpetuate. So in view OF the
probable happening OF such an
event, | did publicly, and not I'M
frequently declare the opinion that
it was the right and duty OF the
State in such contingency TO resume
her sovereign function, so far as
they had been delegated to the
general government, and as an
uounced in the declaration of indie
pendence in 1916, to institute a new
government which would seem most
likely to effect the safety and hap
piness of the people.
When the governor held his con-
ference with the congressional dele
cation which has been referred to, |
did not regard the effort to maintain
our rights in the Union as hopeless.
and though secession must be the
separate act of the State, | did not
believe that IA single State if put
upon that trial could possibly sue
ceed. That, therefore, as prellmi-
nary to such action, there should be
an understanding among the States
geographically connected, and po-
litically similarly situated. Asyou
and many others will probable re-
member, while | had no doubt OF
the right of a State to withdraw
from the Union, believe that the
sequence of secession would be war,
and few knew as we'll as myself how
untavorably the South compared
with the North in the possession OF
the material necessary to the prose
cution of military operations. Like
most, may | not say nearly all OF
the people OF Mississippi, | desired
10 llldillldlD tue uilioii W shS S"''H'i
tuition in the terms, and in the
spirit, with which our fathers had
made it. So it would in any case
be to me Il matter of regret to see
Mississippi withdrawn from the
Union,and would be accepted as an
alternative. not that | loved the
Union less, but the rights Of freemeu
more. Not that | wished to injnre
other States, but that Mississippi
was RAY first and highest care.
Therefore in the conference referred
to, | was opposed to immediate and
final action, aud left the conference
with the approval OF the eother mem
bers, to so TO Washington ia answer
to Il telegram which was understood
to call me there to aid in preventing
such action as would tend to further
excite the South, and embarrass
efforts for a peaceful Solatinn OF the
issues which then threatened the
country. After the meeting OF
congress, the arrogance of the
party about to come into power,
and its refusal to accept, or to pro
pose any terms looking to peace,
destroyed the last hope that the
South would be permitted to remain
in the Union, in possession of the
equality and rights which our sires
had left us for an inheritance for
our children. Then the contingency
arose which it seemed to me needful
and proper to meet by the prompt
withdrawal of the States which
stood ready to secede.
Hence the difference between my
position when advising at jackson,
and when signing the letter issued
at Washington by representatives
of the Southern States. The creed
which | adopted early in life, has
been tenaciously adhered to down
to the present hour. IT | was not
the first to plunge into the conflict,
| am among the last to withdraw
from it. Thanking you sincerely
for your kind interposition i'll my
vindication from what | hope you
will see was not intended as dis
paragement by my friend, Mr.. Sin
gleton, am as ever.
Truly your friend,
JEFFERSON DAVIS.
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