The Milan exchange. (Milan, Gibson County, Tenn.) 1874-1978, 1879-09-25
JEFF. DAVIS DECLINES.

Ledger, asking if he would consent tc
allow his name to go before the next
legislature for the Office of United
States Senator, stating that we be.
lieved it was the wish of majority Of
the people of this state to return him
to the position he held at the break
ing out of the war between the states:
BEAUvoIR P. O., Miss, Aug. 80,
1879. R. H. Henry, ESQ, Editor
Brookhaven Ledger: My Dear Sir
To your inquiry l may suceinctly re.
ply that l am net candidate for the
office of United States Senator of Mis-.
sissippi, and do not desire to be elect
ed to the position. Your uniform
friendship and early advocacy of me
for that high station entille you to a
full statement of the reasons which
control me in this matter.
Assuming what, in view of recent
events, is by no means probable, that
the requisite majority of congress
would remove my political disabilities
and thus spare our state the affront
of denying her the right to choose her
own representative, Iproceed to consid-
er the case alphabetically presented.
Holding that the personal wishes
or private advantage of an individual
should not enter into his selection for
a public trust, l do not the less CRATE
fully appreciate the generous prefer
ence for me which you give assurance
is entertained by a majority of the
people of Mississippi. The best re-
turn | can make for such kindness is
to insist that the only consideration
shall be as to what will best promote
the welfare and prosperity of the
state.
The vital issue before the country
is the contest between state rights and
consolidation; or, in other words, be-
tween the Constitution, us it was
adopted and interpreted by the fath>
ers, or the unrestricted will of the
majority. The first is liberty: the
last despotism. The supremacy of
the law is indispensable to the pres
servation of popular freedom, and
whether the ruler, who is a law unto
himself, be one man or Il multitude,
the result is alike despotism.
The checks and balances, the distri-
button of powers, and the cautious
in the 10th article of the
amendments, which were as conditions
to the compact between the
states, all distinctly show the purpose
to organize general government
which should be responsible to the
states and their people. Surely the
blood of the revolution had not been
shed merely to effect a change of
masters. 1t was for selfgovernment
that the states declared their inde>
and fought until they were
Severally acknowledged to be free and
independent nations.
Thoroughly convinced that the res
toration of the ideas and practices of
the founders Of the early administra-
tors of the general government is the
one thing essential to secure the iiber-
ty, safety and happiness of the people
Of the states and their posterity, the
point for deliberation before answer
ing your question was, whether |, as
I United States Senator, could be use
ful in attaining that end The other
political questions which agitate the
country are, in my estimation, SO
subordinate that l think, after the
contemplated restoration, they could !
Ill be easily and happily adjusted.
Taking, as far as one may in mat
.er affecting himself, the attitude of
| disinterested party in this discus
ion, ] will first remark, what is
'qually known to you, that in the
Northern mind there is an unreason |
Ib,e opposition to the doctrine of
tates rights; and that my assertion of
t, with whatever conclusions are de-
lucible theretrOm, has made me the
pecial object of sectional hostility. 1t
las, therefore, followed that Others
ould say, without creating excite
nent, that, the like of which, if ut
cred by me, would be swollen and
istorted for uses in partisan agita>
ion. The future of the country
eeds that there should be calm re-
lection, and by the light of history
he relation of the states to the Union
e justly and permanently determin>
d. Sooner or later the principles to
7hich reference has been made will,
rust, by the force of their inherent
ruth, vindicate themselves to the
Ommon sense of our countrymen of
very section. To hasten the con-
lmmation, Mississippi has many sons
bier than |. From among them let
ne be selected who has no political
disabilities" to obstruct his admit
lnce to the senate, and against whom
mere are no bitter prejudices to i'm
ir his usefulness.
Did | desire to return to political
fe, the considerations herein pre-
snted would outweigh the desire
tut the fact is the reverse.
ersonally, therefore, while l am
rateful to you for your advocacy, l
o not wish to re-enter the United
tates Senate. To the public consid-
rations given might be added private
'asons, which conformity, under ex-
ting circumstances, render me averse
} public station. You are author {
ed to announce that my name will /
ot he with nv consent included | :