Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1879-04-04
JEFF DAVIS INTERVIEW ED.


HIS OPINIONS ON VARIOUS TOPICS.
BosroN, March 3O,-An Interview with
JEFF Davis is published After speaking OF
his experiences in Pierce's cabinet and the
Mexican war, Davis is said to have been led
to express himself upon the late rebellion
saying: ''lt is generally believed at the
north that am chiefly responsible for that
great calamity was but one of vast
body OF the south and no more responsible
than thousands of others. The war would
have taken place without me a. inevitably as
| IL did with me. 1t was one OF those things
which was sure to come in the progress of
events and in solving the great problems Of
| government upon this continent" He con-
ceded expressly that the abolition of slavery
would prove an ultimate good to the cOun-
| try, that 1t was manifest advantage to
the white race. for it would lead to the
development of the south and multiply her
manufacturing and mechanical industries
From the advantages of climate alone
the future OF the south was more promising
than that OF any other section OF the conn
try, but the condition of the present gen
GRAFTON OF the black race was all the
worse by reason OF the abolition
OF slavery Davis doubts very much
the wisdom of the attempts t.
educate the negro and utterly dIsbelieves in
that wherever the negro race was found 1t
must be an inferior and servi.e rsce, AMI in
the long run would give way to sup rior
race under any and al! circumstances.
Davis acknOa ledgod, however, that he had
changed his mind entirely upon one ques-
ton viz, that the great staples OF the
south COTTON and sugar-cJuld be prOduc-
cd with greater economy and in greater
abundance by paid labor than hy the labor
OF slaves. This had already been demon
strated and that tact alone gOos Tor 10
prove the advantage which the abolition of
slavery has been to the whites. Referring
to the political status of the negro Davis said
the head men had naturally been miS-
led by politicians into thinking northern
men were their trues, friends but of late
years they seemed 20 haze reached the op
posite conclusion, and III the long run It
would be found that the negro, having bot
little real selt-dependencc, would vote in
accordance with the wishes and sentiments
OF those who employed him. For this reason
the negro would be less important factor
in politics OF the future than northern men
supposed. Referring to the oft reiterated
charges OF coercion and bulldosing of negro |
voters, Davis said he had no doubt there |
were individual instances OF cruelty and |
coercion on the part Oi lawless men IN some |
sections, but he believed the prevailing sen
timent among southern men was one of |
greatest kindness aud good will toward |
their former slaves. Speaking OF national |
affairs. he SAID he accepted the situation AS
decided by the arbltrament OF the sword,
and that he was very hopeful OF the future
OF the country. lie did not believe there
wa' any exIsting cause Tor sectional
arrangement OF that there could be any
hereafter. One OF the results OF the war
already apparent was that the south
was less dependent upon the north
than heretofore. Tor whlie she
would supply great staples rs before,
the people had begun 10 produce greater
variety of crops for their own use than
ever before. and they would eventually
compete with other sections in manufac-
turoS and mechanic arts. In this cOnnec-
ton he remarked that while the south
was destitute Of money and the value of real
estate was greatly depressed, in Il very short
time tho price OF landed property would ad-
vance because OF ITS intrinsic value IN the
production OF staple articles OF commerce.
Ito remarked that the only disturbing ele-
nents to be dIscerned now were the efforts
II extremists upon both sides to keep alive
he anlmOslties and hatredI OF the past Ii
congress would pursue II moderate course
md attend to ITS legitimate duties OF general
egi>latlon for the good OF the whole
country, all the great social and industrial
,ucstlOns which were now . source OF ~
much contention would soon settie them
elves. and the country he at peace, In
conclusion he SAID You may assure
our people that have no unkIndness 10
nv heart towards tho north. am not the
evil they have painted me. have neither
ornI nor hooi4, and II they knew me they
Eouli find ! am very much like one Of
themselves. (