The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1884-12-24
JEFF DAVIS AND STATE RIGHTS.
DIR. Garnett Testities in Behalf oc the Chief
of the Late Confederacy.

DIR. Garnett Testities i'll Behalf oc the Chief
of the Late COnfederacy.
Washington Special.
The controversy in the jeff Davis matter is
beginning to attract considerable interest here.
DR. Garnett, of this city, who was the family
physician of Mr.. Davis during the war; has been
interviewed by the Republican
II have followed the controversy in the papers
with great interest" Dr. Garnett said land 1
think | can give some valuable testimony in re-
gard to the charges General Sherman has made
against Mr.. Davis. l believe 1 know Mr.. Davis
as we'll as any man living, and l also happen to
have had an opportunity, think, no other man
ever had to learn Mr.. Davis's views on the
question of the rights of States. General
Sherman charges that Mr. Davis threatened in
letter written TO a prominent confederate
general, now senator in Congress- to use force
to compel some State to come into tho Con
federacy, or to yield to his wishes in some other
matter. Tho letter General Sherman referred to
is thought to have been the ono to Senator
Vance made public the other day. which con-
tanned nothing Of the nature alleged by General
Sherman
During the war, as you know" DR. Garnett
continued, II was Mr., Davis's physician. In
fact, attended almost every member of the
Confederate Cabinet and government at Rich
mond, and was on intimate terms with all of
them. OF Mr. Davis l saw a great deal, and was
on more familiar terms with him than most Of
the members of his Cabinet and generals Of the
armies. He frequently talked with me concern
ing the plans of the confederates and affairs of
state. The members of the government and the
army officers knowing of my intimate relations
with Mr.. Davis, not infrequently requested me
to make suggestions to him concerning matters
which for any reason they themselves did not
wish to broach. Mr. Davis was a grave, stern,
somewhat unapproachable man, and this made
those about him at times loath to touch on sub
jects that were at all doubtful.
you remember thai during the war the status
of Kentucky was not well defined. There was
no doubt that tho sentiment of the great mass
of the people was in favor of the Confederacy,
but the Legislature had failed to pass an or
diIance of secession. The Yankee government,
as we called it, was preparing to send troops into
the State to prevent her people from formal
ly seeding. We knew that the loss of the State
would be q serious ono to our cause, and our
leaders were very anxious that everything
should be done to dofcat the Northern plans.
"At this juncture, General Cooper, adjutant-
general of our forces, came TO me and pointed
out the necessity OF immediate and decisive ac-
ton to save Kentucky to the COnfederacy. He
thought tkat all the forces that could be spared
shonid be hurried into tho State to drive back
the YApkces, and ssko mc to broach the sub.
ja>t to sIr Davis and SEQ what his views vera
on this suSiect. Accordingly. as soon as ] conf
venieptly could saw Mr.. EaYls, and, in course
of the conversation, alluded to the condition Of
things in Kentucky, and suggested that some
thing should ba done in order to give the Cow