The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-03-28
DISABLED ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS.
A Letter from Jefferson Davis to the Mis-
sissippi Legislature.
BEAuvoIR, Miss. Feb. Is, 1856.

StSSippA AoeASAatuFe.
BEAuvoIR, Miss, Feb. Is, 1885,
Senators and Representatives of Mississippi:
Gentlemen-On my return after a long alb
sence from home found your letter OF the 9th
ult with the joint resolution of the Legislature
inviting me to visit and orally or il writing
address the two houses on the subject of the
establishment of home for INDECENT and
wounded Confederate soldiers"
am profoundly grateful for this manifestation
of regard by the Legislature of our State, and,
as the day of your adjournment is near, the
more deeply regret that you letter was not soon
er received. Engagements which cannot con-
sistently be postponed do not permit me again to
leave home Immediately, and during my alb
sence, not having access to your published pro-
ceedngs, have no other information as to the
scope of your contemplated action than so much
as is contained in the announcement of the sub
ject or which am invited to address the Legs-
lature. 1t would, therefore, not be possible to
prepare written address appropriate to the
plan under consideration.
The bill introduced by the Hon. j. g. Madison
was sent to me, but that had for its object pen
sion, not home. and was restricted to the
soldiers and sailors of the Confederate States
from Mississippi On the general proposition to
afford relief to the INDECENT who were disabled in
the service they we're commanded by their
sovereign State to perform there can be little if
any, difference of opinion among us.
The manner in which that relief may best be
bestowed is question to which no distinct
SWec COulO prOUdoiy % siSou. worry UuCu Will
depend on the circumstances, habits and educa-
ton of the individuals.
The armies Of the Confederacy were composed
of the citizens of the States. They left their
homes to defend the rights they inherited and
if they survived the war, hoped to return to
those from whom they parted. The destruction
of their homes, and all that that word implies,
could alone break the charm of associations
rendered more dear to them by the sacrifices
they had made. To such as these less than the
expenditure necessary to maintain the inmates
happiness, If less comfort, than the military
home would afford, governed with something
not unlike the discipline of a military camp.
Gentlemen. in view of my imperfect knowledge
of the purpose of the Legislature you will please
excuse the inconclusive manner in which have
written, but before closing this letter let me
assure you of the gratifed pride with which your
generous purpose inspires me. The wish that
something should be done for suffering confed-
ate soldiers has ever been nearest to my heart,
but, often as the thought unbdden rose, it was
confscation had impoverished our people, and
that they had no other resource than direct
taxation to provide for their needy disabled de-
tenders. Earlier than was anticipated the rep
resentatives of the people find the State able to
begin the performance of a duty commended
alike by good morals and sound policy Brave
Mississippi may the bread she casts upon the
water return TO her manifold and may peace
and plenty ever be throughout her borders, is
the prayer of one whose boyhoods aspiration
was and whose desire in age is Tor her honor and
prosperity
Please, gentlemen. to accept for yourselves
and your associates, the grateful acknowledge
ments Of your friend. Faithfully,
JEFFERSON DAVIS.