Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1878-07-12
JAUNDICED JEFF.

olOO4uy view Oh kAualfS ana THINKS the
Constitution Has Been Terribly Abused
But He Yet Hopes for Better Days to
Come.
MISSISSIPPI CRY, July 1.-THE following
is a brief synopsis of the address made yes
terday by Jefferson Davis, on the occasion of
the presentation to him of gold badge and
certificate of membership of the army of
Tennessee. Col. James Dergan made the
presentation address. Mr.. Davis, after ex-
pressing his gratitude for the Kindness and
honor conferred, recapitulated the stirring
events of the war and the hardships endured.
de said the question of a States right of
secession in 1861 was, at least, debatable
but the course pursued by the federal gov
eminent after the war had ceased, was an
indication of the judgment of those who
had held separation to be necessary for the
safety and freedom of the Southern States
The unsuccessful attempt to sepa-
rate, left those in power to work
their will, as it had been manifested
when they first got control of the govern
ment. The events are too recent to require
recapitulation, and the ruin they have de-
veloped requires no other memorial than the
material and moral wrecks which the country
presents The speaker asserted his mistaken
belief in the right of secession and the duty
of citizens to battle for State after seces-
sion; reviewd the campaigns from Fl. Henry
to Shiloh, and, speaking of Albert Sydney
Johnston, he said: Was it that his grand
presence inspired you with renewed conf
dence and the hope of happier days when
opportunity should offer, or was it that your
judgment told you to follow, as | verify
believe you did, the great
est soldier, the ablest man,
civil or military, confederate or federal?
Mr.. Davis then reviewed the operations
about Vicksburg and Port Hudson, and
spoke in glowing terms of their defenders.
He said: "Let no man suppose that in thus
yindicating our cause in paying due tribute
to your gallant deeds [ am seeking to disturb
such peace as we have, or to avoid the logic
of events. You have done your duty in the
past, would fulfill equally well the duties
of the present and the future. The bravest
are, as rule, the gentlest, and they are also
the truest to every obligation assumed.
You struck for independence and
were unsuccessful You agreed to
return to the Union and abide by the consti-
ton and laws made in conformity with it.
Thus far and no farther, do | understand
your promise to extend" Referring to the
legislation of Congress which followed the
war, he said that the tax payers know that
increased burdens were imposed on them by
contracts made with bondholders. Mer-
chants and ship owners know that we have
lost carrying trade, and to what viii they
assign policy which prevents the registra-
ton of American ships; that had changed
| the flag during war: which imposes such
duties upon raw material as to interfere
with ship building: prohibits the
registration of foreign built ship. though
it be by purchase the property of citizens OF
the United States? Will the people, the
source of all power, allow long continuance
of such palpable wrong to the Masses such
ruin to interests which have been equally
our pride and means of prosperity? form
of government must correspond to the char
acter of the people for which it is appro-
pirate. II is, therefore, that republics have
failed whenever corruption enters the body
polite and renders the people unworthy tc
rule. Then they become fit sub
| iects for despotism, and despot
is always at hand to respond te
the call A Cesar could not subject aEpeo
pie fit to be free. nor could Brutus save
them if th,y were fit for subjugation. The
fortitude with which our people have borne
the impositions imposed on them since TIT
war closed. the resolution with which the.
have struggled against poverty and officia
pillage, is their highest glory, and give tn
best assurance of final triumph. Well ma.
we rejoice in the regaincd possession of loca
self government-the power of the people t
choose their own representatives and t
legislate uncontrolled by bayonets. This
the great victory, and promises another a
the sequence to it. A total non
interference by the federal government wit
the domestic affairs of the States, the renewa
of the -honored doctrine of State SOY
ereignty, and the supremacy of the law WI
secure permanent peace, freedom and pros
perity The constitution of the Unite
States, interpreted as it was by those VIII
made it; the prophets rod to sweeten tn
bitter water from which flowed the strife
the carnage, the misery, the shame of tn
past as well as the facts of the present, ever
event which has befallen our institutions
, directly traceable to the pervers1on OF tn
compact of the Union. The usurpation by tn
federal government of undelegated power
Let one memorable example suffice fe
illustrations: When Missouri asked fc
admission as State into the Union, t
! which she had a twofold right under tn
constitution and usages OF the United State
L and under the terms of the treaty by who
a the territory was acquired, her applicable
4 was resisted and her admission was fnal
: purchased by her unconstitutional conce
sion. mis-called the missouri compromise
0 When that establishment of political ge
d graphical line was announced to the apost
e of Democrat who, full of years ana honor
r in retirement watched with profound sole
ill.,. hoH CO maj
:. " contributed to inaugurate, his prophet
>. vision saw the end of which th
1T was the beginning. The news fell upe
r. his ear 'like a fire ba
1t at night Men had differed and would d
}. fer about measures and public policy accor
k inc to their circumstances or mental chara
n teristics. Such differences tended to t
S calculation of truth, the triumph of reas
le over error Parties SO founded would L
S. he sectional, and when the federal COVER
he ment made parallel of latitude polite
n line. a sectional party could not fulhil
I'd ends for which the union was ordained a
Id established. If the limitations of the &C
IN stitution had been observed and its purpo'
IN had directed federal legislation, no gu
st, act could have been passed. L
ed lid of Pandoras box mls
as have remained closed, and the coun
to have escaped the long train of similar
ed gressions which aggrandized one sectl'
nd impoverished the other, and adding insult
'e- injury, finally DESTROYED the fraternity wh
g. had bound them together. 1t was no p
of of nv purpose, as has already been sho'
ed to discuss the politics of the day, though
Use deep interest I must ever feel in the aft
sci Of the country has not allowed me to ign
Id. them. and will not permit me to be unobst
ant of passing events, of Indifference
the buniliating exposures to which the
araI government has of
out haar Subjected. Separated from
tor activ. participation in public affairs, J