The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1883-09-27
DAVIS AND BLACK !
I>-sccrctary Thompson's Recollcctlons.

MEMPHIS, Tenn, September 10
Hon. Jacob Thompson, who is now cx.
cert one the only surviving member of
| President Buchannn's cabinet, and
whose memories of the stirring events
which led up TO the late civil war must,
| therefore, form one Of the most interest.
ing chapters in the history of this coun-
| Try, was interviewed relative TO Judge
,Iclc Blacks posthuuous paper. II
have just finished reading Judge Blacks
reply to Nr. Davis" said Mr.. Thompson.
Il read i, with Il great deal of interest.
All The old days rose up before me as
read, and | found my memory freshcr
than knew. IS between Judge Black,
who has now ;As-cd away, and Mr.. Da.
us dn not like TO and caunot decide
with Judge Black. We were intimately
associated, and warm friendship
sPrang up between us. In my depart
meht questions often came up. was
called upon To decide, aud | was fire.
lucntly asked to take Judge Blacks
opinion by those who were concerned.
This | always did. With Davis,
Southerner, and one of the leading men
IN tho Senato, my relations were proba-
bly, even more intimate, and he is my
warm personal friend to. day. Davis and
Black were also friends and were init.
mate. 1t seems IL little strange that the
friendship of Il lifetime should suddenly
| cease when both were nearing the grave.
81 remember very distinctly II conyersa-
ton had with Davis in Paris about two
years ago. We met every day and often
talked oyer The pas. One day asked
him if he intended to reply to Blacks
criticism on the book. I think / si,n!
reply Davis said, laughing BLACK is
disposed to make very serious matter
| of n chance Of expression made about
"old Bucks timdity. There was no
deep meaning in what said but Black
seems determined that the public shall
so understand it, heard no more of
the matter until | read the interview
with Black this morning. Davis's letter
have never seem"
"Do you find anything to censure in
the statements made by Judge Black ?"
"llc states his own position, that of
President Buchanan, and Of Mr.. Davis
with perfect accuracy" replied Mr..
Thompson. 'There is not the least
doubt that tho warmcst personal rca-
tions existed between Mr. Davis and the
President. He consulted him on all
| maltcrs "r Importance aud gave consid-
N''o'S "f'Sht w IIo ltcully
Davis was looked upon in the Senate rs
the champion of the administration. lie
represented interests upon which the
President leaned for support, and i, fol-
lowed that he should be consulted when
an important step w:s TO bo taken. This
| close relationship rather grew than di.
mimiShcd up to the very last. 70 such
an extent was it carried that sorlc mem.
bcrs Of .he cabinet were actually Jealous,
and thought it IL slight upon then that
the PRESIDENT should prefer to consult
with one outside of the Cabinet. Davis
was seccssionist, and never thought
to disguise it. lie WAS outspoken on
all occasions. Black, on the contrary,
was bitterly opposed to it and was
equally long, frequent and exhaustive"
"Doyou know 10y whose request it was
that Mr.. Davis went to Washington
from Mississippi just before tho Presi-
dents message was sent to congress 2"
by the Presidents own, think Such
was my impression IT the time. Yes,
am sure Of it, and think the President
told me that he had written him private.
IT, 10 come up and talk over the message
will him"
did this visit have any effect upon
the tenor of the message? 2"
III 80 it was imperceptiblc to me-"