The clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1883-1888, 1884-06-18
JEFFERSON DAVIS.
LET TRUTH AND HISTORY Be vIsDlCA-
TED.



TED. "
from the Tidewater, Va, Index =
Perhaps no man in the whole
COUNTRY has been so misunderstood and
as the patriot statesman Y
whose name heads this article.
During and since the late wal, ne mas Z
been REGARDED Is the head and tTont
If secession not only in the North put )
II the South, and on his. shoulders mas
fallen more censure and coarse abuse tnAn r
on all others.
On q late occasion, when engaged IN
4 controversy with the late Judge Black, h
that distinguished gentleman took issue
with Mr.. Davis. on the opinion OF the
late President Of the United states,
Mr.. Buchanan, and unfortunately Tor ms
own. reputation, denied that mr.. Du-
chanan ever conceded herlght OF seces
sion, much less the exercise oil that
right. ~.
long and confidential relations when
existed between Mr., Buchanan ard MIN
self. from IS47 to the day of his death
had it in his poWe not only to defend MI
Davis from The implied charge OF mis-
representing Mr.. Buchanan, but to go
one step farther, and prove that ne had
declared in writing. "That if the per
sonal liberty laws of the North states
were not repealed the South had a righ'
and ought to secede.
I felt that it was but simply Justlce
to Mr.. Davis, that the information
should be possessed by him, and to MN
It was s,nt (neyer before having been |
nublished. though often shown 10
| friepds) The annexed letter from MT
Davis is now published. not to disturb
the ashes of the dead, but to vlndlcate
the living. 1t is private letter, ana
should not in the ordinary course 1e
published, The private seal shouiu
never be broken for attack, but may DC
for defense.
Eastern Va, May, 1884.
BEAuyorR, Miss, Oct. %, 1888.
Col. J. A. PARKER,
DEAR SIR: have read your remln-
; iscences with great interest, and IN com
pliance with the request endorsed upon
the paper, herewith return 1t.
have now the pleasure to acKho"-
Z ledge your letter of the 10th INST, con-
tanning another "reminiscences Wnleh
: should have found of use, had Judge
Black lived to fulfil the contemplated
! reply he threatened to make to my letteF
! in regard to his published statement OF
/. so called secession secrets lie SCI
= bad example in the arrangement OF Mr
4 Buchanan after his death upon no otnei
a authority than the testimony OF ms
= aecuser. Twill not follow that example
q. but shall leave Judge Black to rest II
A. peace, so far as am concerned, and a.
he he said he would not answer me through
lie an interviewer, but only in a well con
or considered paper, over his own signature
re | shall certainly take no notice OF Tn
in attempt of the reporter to make ans"e
~ for the Judge. +,
Mt ordered a copy of "The Time" t
O. be sent to you, containing my reply !
IL Judge Black and am glad to learn tina
~ ~ it reached you safely. e.l
AZ | knew nothing of the inception OF til
y Kansas Nebraska bill, but the Comm
- tee on Territories of the two Houses
= Congress called on me after they ma
,,s agreed upon a bill, and asked me, as
-ty Was SUNDAY, to go with them and secul
nd If nossible. an interview with PresldeI
all pierce. as they wished on the next ga
ess 1Monday) to bring the bill forward
i'd The House, If the President approved
rly the provisions of the bill. From tn
res, dav forward | knew much of the pr
of gress of the bill and the motives OF l
or snnporters, which enabled me subs
her ouentIy. when in the Senate, to take 4!
ngs Douglas somewhat severely to task 1
the having abandoned the avowed objects
NY the bill when on its passage.
'us- Like yourself, have never doubt
'ro the right of a sovereign State 10 sece
'vei FROM any league into which she mig
70 have entered, Unsuitable cause was
ren onsite for her own reputation, and I
s ave- GOOD oninion of mankind; but as EXPIRE
he ed in the time honored resolutions
nor VIRGINIA. a State suffering outrat
an was the "sole judge of the mode a
ices measure of redress.
con- | thought the State In 1901 had Ju'
be fable cause for secession, but douO'
ON the expediency of exercising the rig
oted because they had made no preparati'
ates 10 resist the coercion which l antlcl
dis ted would be attempted. For holu
owe that secession would be followed by
tate, and that we should prepare for the c
In fict befor egoing to trial, / was arralgn
cor as has been shown, by others VINO
oea not believe there would be any war
anu anu suffered some criticism as a laggard'
i !, - was not the first in, and the Yankees
the am the last out.
way would be glad to have copy OF
d in Kansas Nebraska bill which you KIN
such offer to obtain for me.
and Respectfully yours,
.IEFFERsoN DAVIS