The Jackson standard. [volume] (Jackson C.H., Ohio) 1847-1888, 1879-09-25
IN. Y. Tribune.1
For Senator, Jefferson Davis.


So Mr.. Jefferson Davis is really a
candidate for United States Senator
from Mississippi after all Northern
Democratic newspapers and their able
allies have been ridiculing the idea
for long time as too absurd to be
credited by any intelligent person.
We have been told that Mr.. Davis
was a disappointed old man without
political ambition, whom his people
respected for his misfortunes, but who
could not now be fairly considered
representative Sor Lhern man; that to
charge the South with any purpose to
push him forward or give him any
political or personal prominence was
unjust and uncharitable that mis-
chievous and designing politicians
were using his name to get up false
alarm at the North; and so on, and
so on. Well, it did seem incredible
that within twenty years after this
Government, and within fifteen years
from the close of the most costly and
bloody war of modern times, set on
foot and carried on by the conspiracy
of which he was the head; within
fifteen years from the date Of his de-
feat and capture, and the suppression
of his rebellion, he should be seriously
spoken Of as candidate for Senator
in the Government he failed to destroy
and toward which, upon his own
statement, his feelings have undergone
no change. 1t does seem hardly pos
sible. And it isnot strange that when
men who had become somewhat ac-
quainted with the feelings and pur-
poses of Southern politicians told the
Northern people that the South had
not changed one whit since 1861, but
believed the same doctrines, trusted
the same leaders, resorted to the same
methods, and would presently be rep
retented in Congress, SO far as posi-
BILE, by the same men-many North
ern voters felt that their intelligence
was being imposed upon by extrava-
CANT statements and glaring improbi-
bilities. But wild as the prediction
was that Mr.. Jefferson Davis would
be s9nre time returned 20 the United
States Senate, we are not at all un-
likely to see it fulfilled.
For Mr.. Davis himself obviously
believes in his own candidacy. And
he has been too long in politics, has
been too successful in gaining public
honors, and is too familiar with the
currents Of popular feeling, then
drift and meaning, to make any mis-.
take in such a matter. He is not {
candidate without a backing. He /:
too old a politician not to know his
own strength with his people; toe
shrewd and experienced to make the
mistake Of overestimating it. When
we say he evidently believes in his
own candidacy we do not mean, by
any means, that he announces or even
in terms admits it. That is not the
way Of the experienced politician. He
is too wise for that Men in his situa-
ton are to be judged more by the
reading between the lines of what
they say than by the utterances them
selves; more by what they avoid say
ing than what they actually say. In
a recent interview with a representa-
tive of the New-Orleans Picayune,
the latter asked the point blank ques-
| tIOH WucGIlcl IIC was 1t SttIIiiuctIC 1OI
the Senatorship soon to be vacant.
Observe now the politicians manner
of answering. The reporter remarks
that he seemed annoyed, but asked
very courteously. by what right do
you undertake to catechize me?"
That is not the way of man who is
not a candidate. He was answered
that the public felt the deepest inter-
est in the question and in knowing
his position. To this he replied that
he did not see what interest the pub
lie could have in him or his actions.
The reporter then told him his chief
reason for asking him about it was
that it had been stated that he had
authorized the announcement that he
was not a candidate. THAT is news
to me-" said Mr.. Davis, with a sud-
denly awakened interest. Where did
you see it?" Being told that it had
been published in several Mississippi
papers, he exclaimed: Indeed; why,
| have never authorized any one to
c,oao1- fo,. no gITUl ~, :, co,1 H. 80