Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1885-01-27
LETTERS FROM MR.IDAVIS.
HE EXPLAINS HIS STAND ON
: STATES RIGHTS.

A Controversy Between the Private Sec
retary of Alex.H. stephens and the Ex
Presidents War Physician Leads to an
interesting Statement - Mr.. Davis
Honorary Membership In DixIe's A rny
and Navy Society.
WASHINGTON, Jan. 26.-A controversy has
been carried on recently in the columns of the
| National Republican of this city, between DIR.
| a. Y. p Garnett, who was Jefferson Davis,
| physician during the war, and Mr.. Heideu.
who, during the same period, held the Office
of private secretary to Alexander Stephens.
touching the adherence or non. adherence of
Mr.. Davis during the war to the doctrine of
States rights. Mr.. Heiden stated in a COM
municatiOn to the Republican that all of MIR.
Davis' Cabinet officers, as well as Vice Presi
dent stephens, distrusted the sincerity of Mr.
Davis adherence to the doctrine of States
rights ami were fully Of the belief that he
Davis aimed at the supreme dictatorship Of
the COnfederacy. MIR. Garnett replied deny-
ing the statements OF MIR. Heldell, and finally
announced his intention of writing to Mr.
DAVIS on the matter.
MIR. DAVIS REPLY.
lie dit write to Mr.. Davis, and now fur
nlshes the Repu6tioat with an autograph let
which the following Is copy:
BEAUyoIR, MISS, Jan, %, 1885.
DR.. 4 Y. p. Garaett:
My DEAR SIR-Yo Yours of Jan. II has this day
been received, and to your inquiry | reply
that though it is not in my power to recite the
language employed in response to YOU and
others who urged me to send Confederate
troops into kentucky TO prevent the federal
Government from lntimidating the Legisla-
ture and people of that State by military oc-
cupaJlon, anu thus to prevent kentucky from
passing an ordinance OF secession, L do well
remember that TO YOU as to others | answered
| "A nah vi,
lence 10 the rights of the State. No one could
have telt a deeper interest or more affection
ate regard for kentucky than 1 did, and it
may be That dld not believe the people of
kentucky, state especially distinguished in
the early period OF her history for the asser-
ton of state riguts aud State remedies, could
a creed which had ever been her
point of pride. My answer, as
correctly stated by you, shows that my de-
cisiOn was not based On eXpediency, and how
ever reluctant may have been 10 reject the
advice Of yourself and other friends In whose
Judgment and sincerity had implicit conf
dehce, would not for all the considerations
involved disregard the Limitations of our con-
stltutlon and violate the cardinal principle
which had been the guiding star of my politI-
cal life.
With grateful remembrance of your kind
ness IN years gone by, and admiration for your
manly fidelity in times Of severest TRIALS, am
ever truly your friend,
JEFFERSON DAVIS.
TO THE ARMY AND NAVY SOCIETY.
BALTIMORE, Jan. 26.--On Jan. 10 the Society
Of the Army and Navy of the Confederate
States here elected jefferson Davis an honor
airy member of that body. The following ac-
KnoWledgment has been received:
GENTLEMEN-IOurs of Jan. IA has been re-
celved, and l gratefully acknowledge the
honor Of the membership conferred upon me
by the Society OF the Army and Navy of the
confederate states in the State of Maryland.
Distinguished in her early colonization by
Christian charity and brotherhood in the
war of the revolution, which established
the sovereignty, freedom and independence
of the States, the chivalry Of Maryland shone
conspicuous, nor less memorable Is the gal
lantry of her sons i'll the war of 1872. True
To their lineage the men of 1861, despite the
most embarrassing surroundings, bore dis-
tlngulshed part in the defense of those prin-
ciples for which their fathers successfully
fought. You, the surviving heroes, have pro-
foundly gratlhed me by numbering me among
you and the certificate of membership which
you have conferred upon shall be left as
an heirloom to my children and chIldren's
child en-, that they may never forget what is
due TO their fathers friends, ''Old soldiers of
the Maryland line" With ever increasing re-
spect fer your devotion to constitutional lib
erty, am fraternally yours,
JEFFERSON DAVIS.