Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1880-12-27
AT BEAUVOIR.
Visit Of a NashVilIian TO Jefferson
DaVis-.-SOme Interesting Mat
tiers Talked Ofin the Inter
view.

Since the visit of Colonel Mcclure,
an account Of which was copied from
the Philadelphia Times, in the Ameri-
can ofThursday, a citizen of Nash
vile has spent a day at Beauvoir with
Jefferson Davis and his family. He
refers TO it as an occasion Of much in
terest aud pleasure.
Having served in the army under
General Joseph E. Johnston, aud be-
ing a great admirer of him, he had
shared, in a measure, the feeling
against Mr.. Davis administration, but
a talk with the ex-president of the
Cnnfederacy, caused him to feel that
injustice had been done that gentle
man, In charging that he had acted
from prejudiced motives. Mr.. Davis
said that one Of the hardest duties
he had performed was that of remov
ing General Johnston when Hood
succeeded to the command of the
Army Of Tennessee. The change was
pressed from every section of the
south, when it became apparent that
Atlanta must surrender to the enemy.
Mr.. Davis forthcoming book will
treat very fully of this matter.
Other subjects were freely dis
cussed during the day. A compli-
ment was paid Mr.. Hayes admiBisTa-
ton by another gentleman, who wal a
guest at the time, when Mr.. Davis re-
marked that Hayes did not econ
mend a reduction Of his salary. La
this connection he remarked that
salaries of public officials are too
high, and he told Of how members Of
congress used to club together in
messes. lie furthermore said that
our form OF government is safest when
the people are poor. Not poor, for
instance, as the people Of Mississippi, "
be added with grim humor, but
where there is a degree Of dependence
Of the people among themselves, and
especially when officials receive mod
crate salaries and live within their
incomes" Mrs. Davis showed her
love for her country in the expression
that she would be aorely grieved it
one Of her children should think of
any other country better than his own
America. She would not be willing,
therefore, to educate SONS abroad as
circumstances have made it proper
With their daughter.
Mr. aud Mrs. Davis viii 90 to Eu-
rore in June for their daughter.
Meanwhile MIR. Davis hopes to- com
plete the manuscript of his book,
though it need not be expeated from
the press before fill.
Notwithstanding reports TO the con-
trary, Mr.. Davis does not remember 10
have seer Mr.. Lincoln, He talks
freely of men and measures. Andrew
jackson is greatly admired by him,
He said: "If jackson had been born
in courts he could not have been more
courtly."
When Mr.. Davis had completed his
education he vent from Kentucky to
Mississippi on horseback, and from
Nashville he rode out 20 the Hermit
age, making a delightful visit to the
general. He mentions jackson as
having been a much purer man in his
moral character than is generally be
lieved. In Jackson, Calhoun and Al
bert Sidney johnson, he said, he
could never see much Of fault.
In conversation upon the present
political issues, Mr., Davis spoke as a
mere spectator, as he really is, and not
a participant. Hedoes not regard the
defeat OF Hancock as so ~deplorable a
matter as might be supposed, and says
that the sooner democrats announce
their fxedness Of purpose to stand by
the right, expecting only defeat, the
sooner will they be respected, and the
better will be their chances Of ulti.
mate success.
The gentleman faVoring the Amer
lean with the foregoing, did not expec;
to give any publicity to Mr.. Davis
views, but they are such as can do no
harm, and will be read with interest.
To use the language Of a friend, the
leader of "the lost cause" will never
bring reproach upOa the people who
honored him as their leader and their
chief.