The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1879-04-10
Jefferson Davis Speaks.


BOSTON, MASS, March 29.-The Herald
Of tomorrow morning will contain an in
erview with jefferson Davis. After speak
ing OF his experiences in Pierce's Cabinet
and the Mexican war, Mr.. Davis was lee
to express himself upon the late rebellion
saying: sit is generally believed in the
North that l am chiefly responsible for thai
great calamity. was but one Of a vast body
OF the South, and no more responsible than
thousands of others. The war would have
taken place without me as inevitably as il
did with me. 1t was .one OF those things
which was sure to come in the progress OF
events, and iu solving great problems Of
government upon this continent" He con-
coded expressly that the abolition of slavery
would prove ali ultimate good to the coun-
try that 1t was manifest advantage to the
white race, for it would lead to the develop
ment Of the South, and multiply her manu-
featuring and mechanical industries. From
advantages of climate alone, the future OF
the South was more promising than that df
any other section of the country, but the
condition of the present generation of the
black race was all the worse by reason OF the
abolition of slavery.
Mr.. Davis doubts very much the wisdom of
an attempt to educate the negro and utterly
disbelieves in giving him the ballot. 1t was
his opinion that wherever the negro race
was found it must be as an inferior and
servile race, and in the long run would
give way to the superior race under any and
all circumstances. Mr.. Davis acknowledged,
however, that he had changed his mind en-
tirely upon one question, viz, that the great
staples of the South-cotton and sugar could
be produced with greater economy and in
greater abundance by paid labor than by the
labor Of slaves. This has already been de-
monstrated, and that act alone goes far to
prove the advantage which the abolition of
slavery has been to the whites. Referring
to the political status of the negro, Mr.. Da-
Wis said the freedmen had naturally been
misled by politicians, thinking that North
ern men were their truest friends, but of
late years they seemed to have reached the
opposite conclusion, and in the long run it
would be found that the negro, having little
real self-9ependence, would vote in accord
ance with the wishes and sentiments of those
who employed him. For this reason the ne
gro vote would be less important factor
in the politics OF the future than Northern
men supposed. Referring to the oft-reiter
ated charges of coercion and bull-dozing OF
negro voters, he said that he had no doubt
there were instances of cruelty and coercion
on the part Of lawless men in some sections,
but he believed the prevailing sentiment
among Southern men was one OF greatest
kindness and good will toward the former
slaves.
Speaking of national affairs, he said he ac-
cepted the situation as decided by arbitra
ment of the sword, and that lie was very
hopeful OF the future of the country. He did
not believe there was any existing cause for
sectional arrangement, or 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 !; for, while she would supply
great staples as before, her people had begun
70 produce greater variety o. crops for their
own use than ever before, and they woule
eventually compete with other sections in
manufactures and mechanical arts. In this
connection, he remarked, that. while the
South was destitute of money and the value
OF real estate was greatly depressed, in a
very short time the price of landed property
would advance because of its intrinsic value
in the production of staple articles OF COM
merce. He remarked that the only disturb
ing elements to be discerned now were the
efforts Of extremists upon both sides to keep
alive animosities and hatreds of the past
If Congress would pursue moderate course,
and attend to its legitimate duties OF general
legislation for the good OF the country, all
the great social and industrial questions
which were now source Of so much conten,
tion would soon settle themselves and the
country would be at peace.
In conclusion he said "You may assure
your people that have no unkindness in my
heart to them or any OF the people OF the
North. 1 am not the devil they have painted
me. l have neither horns nor hoofs, and il
they knew me they would find | am very
much like one of themselves"