The National tribune., 1882-10-05
GEN. E. J. DAVIS.
A Reply to the Wan:on SANDERS Upon n Brave and
Gallant Soldier.


To the Editor NATIONAL TRIBUNE:
have observed in various issues of a paper
calling itself a Grand Army Journal, published
in the city of Washington, ID. c., avowedly
devoted to the interest of Federal soldiers and
Sailors series of persistent attacks upon Gen.
f. J. Davis, of Texas, Ex-Governor of the State
and now candidate for Congress. Gen. Davis
served i'll the same army with me before Vicks-
burg. l know him to be a prudent and brave
officer. The attack upon his military reputa-
tion is, to my personal knowledge, malignant
and unjustifed, and appears to me to emanate
with Il very bad grace from a journal which
processes to be the champion of men who, like
Gov. Davis, rslled all in defense of the flag Of
our country. Nor do believe that the charges
against his political record are any more
trustworthy than those against his mill
tary career, which [ know to be false
1t is a wcll-known fact that he was q
fugitive from his State that he escaped into
Mexico, made his way North and entered the
Federal army, where he did good and valuable
service. He was the president of the State
convention which formed the constitution
under which the State was reconstructed. The
unfamiliar with the political history of Texas,
else he would know that Gov. Davis was elected
for the very intensity of his Republicanism,
and that Gov Hamilton had incurred the
suspicion of the colorcd voters by his course in
what is there known rs the " alb initio" qucs-
tion. At the time Davis became Governor all
the western and many of tho middle counties
were overrun and tcrrorizcd by despcradocs from
almost every State in the Union. He irnmedi-
ately recommended two measures which, from
their radicaism, were received with amazcmcnt
by even Republican Texans. The first was
that it should be considered misdemcanor,
punished by fine and contiscation, for any one
to carry concealed weapons. The second was
the organizing of a State police, to be
mounted and to serve under the directions of
the Governor. Even the Republican newspa-
pers, with the Galveston Bulletin at their head,
which was the recognized organ of the military
commander, Gen. Reynolds opposed this But
he carried his point over all opposition, and, to
the surprise Of everybody, sent for confederate
officer and offered him the command When
the officer declined, he said to him: 81 saw
you handle your men in my front The State
must be cleared of desperadoes Go home and
consult your confederate friends; tell them |
mean no attack on any mans liberties, but life
and property must be secure" The result was
he took the command, cleared the State of des-
peradoes, and to the enforcement of these two
laws, more than to any other cause, is Texas
indebted for her high prosperity. The imputa-
tion cast upon his integrity will be repudiated
by every Texan. 1t is true that his adjutant-
general, James Davidson, became defaulter
and absconded with some public funds but the
most intense of all confederates never bai~cd
the Governor, or suspected him of any partiei-
patton in the fraud. His political opponents
all unite in eXOnerating Gov. Davis from III
suspicion of desire to mako money illegiti-
mately, for it is well known that during the
session Of the Twelfth Legislature he could
have received half a million of dollars, had he
been willing tool for railroad men who were
anxious to secure franchises. In time of
great peril and excitement, when bloodshed
was imminent, there was a disputed election
between Governor Coke and Governor Davis.
Coke called upon the local volunteer companies,
which took possession Of the capitol by force
and drove Davis out, organized Democratic
administration, and it is recognized by all
who are familiar with the facts that it was
only through his prudence and forbearance that
blood was not shed. Texas owes much to
Gov Davis, and the colored citizens owe more,
for it is to his prudent craftsmanship that
peace and prosperity reigns where he fround
anarchy, oppression and bloodshcd. Let the
Grand Army Journal" find another target
than an old soldier. l will volunteer the asser-
ton that the author Of the article in question
is some petty subaltern who found Governor
Davis in his way in some dscreditable transac-
ton. Yours, most truly,
S. G.. BURBRIDGE.
PHILADELPHIA PA, Sept. 10.