National Republican., 1883-02-09
Fx.gov. DAVIS. or TEXAS.

EX-Gov. DAVIS, OF TEXAS.
The death of eX-Gov. Edmund j. Davis, of
Texas, is announced to have occurred Wednes-
day at Austin, Tex. A native of st. Angus
tine, Fla, Gov. Davis moved in his youth to
Texas, and had mover been north of Mason
and Dixon's line until he visited Secretary
Stanton during the rebellion and asked that
his regiment of Texans by regularly mustered
into the union service. As the old war sccre-
tary cast his eye upon this tall, splendid spec
linen of u man, he could hardly believe his
senses, and he abruptly interogated him,
Are you southern MANI" Davis replied,
am, this ismy first visit north" Mr.. Stan
ton continued! And You say you have q reg
imcnt of genuine Texans to muster into tho
union servicol How soon will you be ready to
returnW To-day" replied Davis, and in n
few minutes his business was done, and he
was on his way back TO New Orleans, where
he mustered his Texans and went into active
service. He commanded the cavalry that COW
cred Bankss retreat down the Rcd river, and
for his galantry and great services ho was
promoted to the rank of brgadier general.
The war over, Davis returned to Texas, and
began the practice of law, but in 1867 was
called to aid in the preliminary work of re-
construction. He served as president of the
reconstruction convention, and was aftcrward
elected governor in 1869. Upon assuming
the Office of governor he found the state in u
condition of anarchy, and murder and out
| lawry prevailed throughout its borders. The
military commander who had been in charge
declared that the experiment of civil govern
ment would fail in Texas, because he had
found it impossible under military rule to
suppress murder and mob law, but he was
mistaken, becaEso Davis was equal to the
l. emergency. At iis suggestion the now strin-
gent measures were taken TO suppress crime
and bring criminals TO justice. These meas
sfl .
quired severe treatment. Texas was restored
to law and order, but the political party in
opposition look up these severe measures rs u
political cry, and down to the day of Dayis's
death they made it the text O. their remon-
Strance against the return of the republican
! party to power i'll the state.
Davis was man possessed of lofty ambi-
| tiOn. He never did II mean or sordid action
in his life. His patriotism was pure and self
sacrificing; but his personal ambition was
slways subsGrvient to what he deemed his
duty TO his country and the people he served.
AS an instance, and one that should go TO his
credit In the days of reconstruction, when
precious few men could be found who had
other object than personal ACKNOWLEDGMENT in
view, after the assembling OF the first recon-
structon legislature the election Of United
States senators coming up, the legisla-
ture almost in body asked Gov
Davis to allow them Ia elect him to u
seat i'll the senate. lie replied The people
have elected me governor and it is my duty
to serve them,I and he remained governor,
leaving his Office poorer man than when he
went in.
Gov. Davis was urged for u portfolio in Mr..
Garlcd's cabinet, and for u time his nano
was fayorably enjeraned, but stronger inilu-
enccs obtained and Davis was not chosen. His
appointment would have been just and
graceful acknowledgment OF the loyal men
of the SOUTH and Davis would have reflected
honor upon his section.
His death will he severely felt in Texas
where he was the idol of hundred thousand
men, who have looked up to him with conf
dence and pride. He was not unlike Abraham
Lincoln in his characteristics of head and
heart, and there will be many "A sad heart in
Texas to-day as the news of the death of this
noble man is flashed over the wires. In after
years, on the brightest page of the history of
that great state will be written the name Of
Edmund j. Davis. He led her patriotic sons
in defense of the lite Of the republic; he led
the state safely over the perilOus bridge of re-
construction, and now that he is dead even
his political opponents will tread softly about
his bier.
GALVESTON, Feb. s.--The Nelcs' Austin
special says Both houses of the state legisla-
ture adjourned for the day as a token Of
respect to the memory Of the late eX-Gov. Da-
Wis