Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1884-12-03
mR. DAVIS AND GEN. SHERMAN.


soldiers, and in the course Of his remarks
took occasion TO pay his respects to Jef1er-
son Davis, which lie did in such 81 vigorous
way that Mr.. Davis has repelled the charges
there made in language equally forcible.
General Sherman referred to the late war,
and said that secession was merely con
spiracy, ana that JEFF. Davis was conspir
ator whose aim was TO use the Confede
racy as fulcrum with which no could
operate against the other sections Of the
country looking to q practical dictatorship.
II have been behind the curtain" said
Gen. Sherman, "and l have seen letters that
few others have seen: and heard conversa-
tions that cannot be repeated. | have seen
a letter from Jefferson Davis to man
whose name ! cannot mention, because he
is q United States Senator. Iknow Davis's
writing, and saw his signature. and in that
letter he said he would turn Lees army
against any State that might attempt TO Sc.
cede from the Southern Confederacy.''
The Republican printed the following let
ter from MIR. Davis in reply:
BEAUvoIR, Miss, Nov. e, 1854.
Editor st. Louis Republican
Dear Sir-I have tonight received the
enclosed published account Of remarks
made by Gen. w. It. Sherman, and ask the
use Of your columns to notice only so much
as particularly refers to myself and which
is to be found in the following extracts.
The following is taken from the st. Louis
Republican
their new hall, corner Of Seveptcenth and
Olive streets, last evening. General Sher-
man addressed the aSsamblage. He had
read letters which he believes, had never
neeu published, and which very few people
had seer. These letters showed the rebel
lion 10 he more than q mere secession-it
was q conspiracy most dire. Letters which
had passed between jeff. Davis and II man
whose name it would not do TO mention, as
he il now /. member Of the United States
Senate, had been seen by the speaker, and
showed Dayis's position. He was not
Secessienist His object in starting the re
berlion was not merely for the secession of
the South, but to haye this section Of the
country :, that he could use it as a fuicrum
from which to fire out his shot at the other
section of the country and compe! the pee
ple TO do as he would have them. jeff.
Davis would have turned his hand against
apv State that would secede from the South
after the South had seeded from the North.
Had the rebellion succeeded General Sher-
man said the people Of the North would
have all been slaves"
The following IS from The Globe Democrats
report:
''Referling 10 the late war, lie said it was
not, as was generally understood war OF
secession tro,a the United States, but con-
spiracy. L have been behind the curtain,'
said he, and I have seen letters that few
others have seen, and have heard conversa-
ha rorootp1 and | toll
YOU that jeff, Davis never was Il secession.
list. He WAS a conspirator He did not care
Cor division from the United States. His
oijec; was to get fulcrum from which to
oDcratc against the Northern States, and if
he had succeeded he would to-day ne the
master spirit of the continent, and you
would he his slaves. | have seen letter
from JEFF. Davis 10 man whose name L
cannot mention, because he is a United
states Senator. know Davs's writing, and
saw his signature, and III that letter he said
he would turn Lees army against any State
that might attempt to secede from the
Southern Confederacy.
This uubic assault under the covert plea
that it is based upon information which re-
gard for United States Senator does not
| permit him TO present will, to honorable
minds. suggest the idea Of irresponsible
ISLANDERS. 1t is thus devolved upon me to
say that the allegation that my ever having
written such a letter as is described is un.
aualifiedly false, and the assertion that had
any purpose or wish to destroy the liberty
and equal rights of any State, either North
or South, is reckless and shameless false
hood, especially because it was generally
| known that for many years before, as well
as during the war between the States was
an earnest advocate of the strict construc-
ton of State rights theory of Mr.. Jefferson.
What motive other than personal mallg-
nity can be conceived for 80 gross q libel?
! If General Sherman had access to any let
! ters purporting to have been written by me
which will sustain his accusations let him
produce them or wear the brand of base
slanderer. yours respectfully,
JEFFERSON DAVIS.
Of course this letter called for q rejoinder
from General Sherman, and the Generals
residence. on Garrison avenue, was visited
by newspaper representatives., all of whom he
received in a courteous but not altogether
friendly manner He anticipated the lead
| ing question by remarking:
Il have read the letter of Jefferson Davis
in this mornings paper, and have nothing
/ to say to the newspapers"
/ He laid down his pen, and, turning IN his
chair, said, with that firm tone which show
| ed the subject had stirred up his ire:
''This is an affair between two gentlemen.
/ ] will take my time about it and write to
| Mr.. Davis myself We will settle the mat
| ter between us.'
Have the papers misrepresented you in
! your remarks before the Frank Blair Post,
] G. A. R?" was asked.
! II say nothing about that. My reply to
] Mr Davis will not he thrnlnh the naners,