National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1885-01-10


that tho president had no constitutional
authority to make such an appointment;
and yet in 1868 and 1864 Mr. Davis, as
president, claimed and exercised tho
power of offering the militia OF the
stutes under cdiiscription acts by the APP
pnintmCnt Of all officers down to and IN
Guiding lieutenauts and even 20 take
the militia of the states ana place the IN
dividual citizens thereof in any company
hc or bis subaltorus chose Just the same
rs If they had been hired mercenaries IN
the regular army. Times change, ana
with them men, but PRINCIPLES never J!
The confedcratcs, upon principle, rc,
spectcd Eentuuky's right to choose and
fix her own position, but the ioderals ala
not, and hence what follows.
"Mr. Breckinridgo issued an address TO
the people NJ the state. A convention
was called, which met ut Russellville, on
the 18th of November, 1861. This point
had not yet been reached by the federal
forces" Sixty-cight counties Of the state
were represented in this convention aud
tho number OF delegates was 100 "Ihoy
proclaimed declaration OF independence
IN behalf Of the people of Kentucky, aud
organized q government upon revolution
ary principles. George W. johnson was
chosen governor, and WIN. Preston, ii, Z.
Burnett, and W. L. Simms we're appointed
commissioners to negotiate an alliance
with the confederate states. The re-
suit wns the recognition by the conted'
crate states of this organization as the
rightful government of tho state OF Ken
lucky aud of her admission undor IL as
member of the conledoracy in the early
part Of December, l56lW From this
tmo on Kentucky was regularly reprp'
seutcd, first in tho provisional congress-
aud altcrward in the confederate con-
Ercsses under tho permanent constitution.
The only explanation that occurs to me
why DR., Garnett did not know this, is
either that none Of tho kentucky mem
hers were sick or II sick, he called in
another physician, for there were other
physicians in Richmond, aud some who
grObdbIy had quite as much practice
among government officials Hs DIR. Gar
nett.
1t 10 thus seen that IT Is not truc that
DIR. 9arnetts interview with M. Davis,
if II ever occurred, "ended the matter;
and now we shall see it is equally
untrue that Kentucky was left to her
fate" Strong efforts were made by the
confederate authorities to recover the
state and deliver its people from the OPP
pressions of tho federal government. Sui-
flee it to say on this point that President
Sidney Johnston, into Kentucky in jan
uary, 1862, with force Of nearly 10000
men, and again, in August OF the same
year, Gems. Bragg and Kirby Smith with
about $4,000 men, not to speak OF other
movements for the relief Of Kentucky.
Tho following is the portion of DR.
Garnett's interview referring to Mr.
Stephens. who is now dead:
Doctor did you read, Alexander stephens
letter, published the other day, accusing Mr.
Dayi, of an ambition to make himself dlcta
torg' tue reporter asked,
"Nes and cannot understand his object il
writing such letter. There was certainly NJ
truth IN the charge, aud he must have know
Now, neither in the letter given to th,
public by Gen. She man and very incor
rectly printed in the copy seen by me
does Mr.. Stephens accuse "Mr. Davis o
an ambition TO make himself dictator,
nor in the other letter, also to Senate
Her,Chel V. johnson, which ! made pub
lie in fuller explanation of the fOrme
ono. The question whether Mr.. Davi
aimed at absolute power Is one that ha
passed beyond settlement in this world
If he had entertained any such purpos
(and do not say he did, though the ten
dency of measures he recommended, ap
proved, and executed was straight in tina
].
il to any one, and least Of all, / shoul
Judge, to a person showing himself po:
sessed of as little discretion as Dr- Gan
nett has by his published interview
Moreover, ii Mr.. Davis had any such pui
pose, his opportunity to execute IL wa
lost forever with the overthrow of tn
Confederacy, and "thaJ ended the matter
more conclusvely than did Dr. Garnett
interview with Mr.. Davis settle the fat
of Kentucky.
But let Mr.. Stephens, though dead,
language from his two letters to Senate
Johnson, speak and refute the calumn
OF DIR. Gatnett against him. The follqv
ing is from the letter made public b
Gen. Sherman:
Isdy doubt for after watching him closel
I am not satisfied IN my own mind, or arrive
1T any conclusion, whether some of his shoi
COmipgs are to be attributed TO weakness or bi
purposes. Ihese are my real sentiments, a.
my reasons for them are these Since his fiji
elevation 10 power he has changed many
his states rights principles. as in the case
CONSUMPTION, His whole policy on the orgal
consistent with the hypothesis that he is all
ing at absolute power, Not word has cor
from him OF military usurpation in the orde
for martial law by Bragg and Van Dorm, or
ma[shels, which is utterly. wrong and wiLho
authority of law
Again, Il, Is ,wcIl known that the subject
n dictatorship has boon mOOted talked Of, al
discussed in private and In the public louTna
aud that the most earnest advocates Of such
course-the virtual doing away with oongr'
and the COnstltuton-haye been editors nc
hin-liGht under his pose-editors of lournl
recognized at the time 10 be the organs of /
administration, Now, II seems TO me stran
that this should be so, and men holding a.
advocating such sentiments for months shou
hold such near relations to him II such sen
menis were dlstasleful TO him. These are b
signs to me, yet they are not CONCLUSIVE O
dcnces of bad objects or intentions on his pa
They leave me IN doubt but certainly awak
my suspicion aud watchiul Jealousy. Th
each me u be IN my guard, and they shou
IN my opinion, put the whole country on IN
guard, The price Of liberty is eternal viz
Ulce,"
The following Is from the letter
June 10, 1854, to Senator Johnson;
In speaking Of the president and your
teryew with him you say You nave no dot
lIqent ul his being patriotic iuu then nd
II know you do not award 70 lin this NUT
uut think you do him injustice" ] shot
A3yc liked this phrascology better If you h
.ii; Il know that on this point you hG
doubts, but think you are mistaken in "
usplulOu." ! have, on u former occasion, I,
guu frankly aud Coulldenllally what thou.
ul lhG president. IN that letter told you ii
gave you my reasons, but stated distinctly Il
NY MUD was not made up. This wish }
tp understand Is the truth Of the case II
siill II doubt, still undecided whether
errors, which are numerous, in my opinit
spring entirely from the head, or whctl
some do not come from the heart. / ha
watched his course anXiOusly lately TO tati
my mind on this point, IL is painfully q
agreeable TO me to be compelled TO S
prct his patriotism, but facts force such
Elections, surmises, or suspicious, call tn
what you will, upon my mind. / was In hol
that he would at the late session say soI
thing that would settle these doubts and i
isly me that ! was wrong aud doing him
justice In my previous suspConsi but he
not, No human heart ever bounded W
more sincere Joy than mine would AT anyth
coming from him that would remove N
impressions, But, on tho contrary, what
has said mud done at the late session, and
doing, only tend to strengthen my suspiciO