Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1885-09-26

An Opinion of q Prominent Northern Writ
er of His Powers and Motives.

An Opinion of Prominent Northern Writ
er of His Powers ana Motives.
In that congress, foremost in infuenc
for peace or war, for union or disunion,
is jefferson Davis; how then unlike that
Davis who, in Maine, but a few years
before, had spoken burning words for
the perpetuity of the union. He had
fought calamity in Mexico for its ex-
tension and honor. Whatever of preuj-
dice his name may have since aroused
has been incident to recalling the
memories of q beaten cause At that
congress he was far more potential in di.
recting the fateful genius OF southern
senate. His own memoirs have been
published. THERE'S character isanalyzed
and bis motives'questioned with pitiless
and torturing inquisition; still the great
body Of his countrymen south will cher
ish mis- memory, despite all adverse criti-
cism. Whether he ever renounced his
secession doctrines, while acting az the
chiettain of the confederacy, has not
been proven. 1t has been surmised and
inferred. The same presiding care
which shielded him from trial for
treason, and gave him peaceful retirscy
in southern home, seems still to hover
over his old age. Remembering his pei
sonal courtesy, his urbane and dianifed
manners, his silvery oratory, his un-
daunted courage as q soldier and honesty
as man, the historian of this eventful
epoch-in which madness ruled in the
most sedate counsels-ca can not fail to re-
call much to the credit of this leader of
the southern people. He may not have
exercised the wisdom of some who &C
quiesced promptly and gracefully in the
inevitable. Yet with many this trait of
enduring consistency is virtue. But it
must be said that he was not forward in
secession. His state was not among the
foremost to secede. She waited until the
Oh of January, 1851, before passing her
ordinance, and her senators fingered I'M
til the 2lst before they withdrew. 1t is
generally credited among those who
we're familiar with Mr.. Davis inclina-
tons that, even after the ordinance
passed, he was anxious to remain. There
Is indubitabae evidence that while in the
committee of thirteen he was willing to
accept the compromise of Mr.. Critten-
den and recede from secession. This
committee and a house committee of
thirty three members were then consid.
ering 'the state of the union.'D The
compromise failed, because, as Senator
Hale said, on the 18th of December,
1869. the day it was introduced, it was
determined that the controversy should
not be settled in congress. When it
failed the hero of Buena Vista became
the confederate leader.
Much as he is moderated by some
southern men who opposed him during
the war. he was fitted to be the leader
ofjust such revolt. Every revolution
has fabulous or actual hero conform
able to the local situation, manners and
character of the people who rise. To q
rustic people like the Swiss, William
Tel, with his cross-bow and the apple;
to an aspiring rsce like the Americans,
with his sword and the
law, are, as Lamartine once said, the SYM
bols standing erect at the cradles ofthese
two distinct liberties! Jefferson Davis.
naughty, self-willed and persistent, full
of martial ardor and defiant elcouence.
was the symbol, both in his character
and his situation, of the proud impul-
sive, but suppressed ardors and hope of
the southern mind.