Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1885-09-11
jefferson Davis in the Thirty-sixth

S. s. Cor. In the Ocerldnd Magasine.
In that Congress, foremost in influence
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
gallantly in Mexico FOR its extension and
honor. Whatever OF prejudice his name
may have since aroused has been incident
to recalling the memories Of a beaten
cause. AT that Congress be was far more
potential in directing the fateul genius
OF southern statesmRnship than any other
man in the Senate. His own memoirs
have been published. There his charac-
ter Is analysed and his motives questioned
with pitiless and torturng inquisitiOu:
still the great body Of his couutrymen
south will cherish his memory, despite
all adverse criticism. Whether he ever
renowned his secession doctrines, while
acting as the chieftain OF the Confeder-
acy, has not been proven. IL has been
surmised and inferred. The same pre-
siding care which shielded him from a
trial for treason, and gave him peaceful
retiracy in a Southern home. seems still
70 hover over his old age. Remembering
his personal courtesy, his urbane and
dlgnihed manners, his sIlvery oratory.
his undaunted courage as soldier and
honesty as a man, the historian OF this
eVentful epoch-in which madness ruled
in the most sedate cOuncils-cannot fail
TO recall much 10 the credit Of this leader
Of the Southern people. He may not have
exercised the wisdom of some who acqui-
esced promptly and gracefully in the in
evitable. Yet with many this trait OF en-
during consistency is virtue. But IL
hn al an h.sK 81 To-
secession. His State was not among the
foremost 20 secede. She waited until
Jan. ., 1861, before passing her ordinance,
and her senators fingered until the 2ist
before they withdrew. IL Ia generally
credited among those who were familiar
with Mr.. Davis inclnati0ns. that even
after The ordinance passed, he Was anX-
lous 10 remain. There is indubitable eyi-
dence that while Ia the Committee OF
Thirteen ne was willing 10 accept the
compromise or Mr.. Critteuden and recede
from secession. (1his committee and "A
House committee Of thirty three members
were thel considering "tho state OF the
tniOn' J The compromise failed, be-
cause, as senator Hale said, on Dec. rs.
1860 the dav 90 was introduced. 10 was dp-
termined that toe controversy should not
be settled IN Congress. When 1t failed.
ihe hero Of Buona Vista became the Con-
federate leader.
Much az De is moderated by some
southern men who opposed him during
the war, De WAS fitted 90 Doe the leader of
just such revolt. Every revolution has
fabulous or actual hero contormablc to
the local situation, manners aud char8c-
Ter Of The people who rise. To "a rustic
people like the Swiss, William Tell, with
his cross-bow and the apple; % nu a-pir-
ing race Ike the Americans, Washington.
with his sword and the Jaw, are. as La.
MARITIME once SAID, me symbols standing
erect at tlio cradles OF these two distinct
liberliesl Jefferson Davis, naughty, self
willed and persistent tan Of martial ar
dor and defiant sloluence. was the sym.
Dol, both IN his character aud bis situa-
ton, OF The proud, impulslye but sup
pressed ardors and hopes Of the Southern
mind.