The clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1883-1888, 1886-03-17
Letter From Ex President Davis 20
the Legislature.

BEAUvo1R, Miss, Feb. 10Th, 1886
Senators and Representatives. Of Mississippi:
GENTLEMEN On my return after
long absence from home, I found your
| letter of the 21th ult.. with the Joint keso-
/ luton Of "the Legislature inviting me to
| visit, and orally or in writing address the
two houses OF the subject OF the "Estab-
/ lishment of home for INDECENT snd
wounded Confederate soldiers"
| am profoundly grateful Tor this mani
| festation Of regard by the Legisl8Jure Of
our State, and as the day of your adjourn
ment is near, the more deeply regret that
your letter was not sooner received. En-
gagements which cannot consistently be
postponed, do not permit me again To leave
home Immediately, and during my absence
| not having access 10 your published pro-
ceedings, | have no other information as to
the scope of your contemplated action than
so much as is contained in the announce
ment of the subject on which | am invited
to address the Legislature. 1t would,
therefore, not be possible to prepare a
written address appropriate 10 the plan
under consideration.
The bill introduced by the Hon. J. :.
Madison, was sent TO me, bur that had for
its object pension, not home and was re
Confederate States from Mississippi. On
the general proposition TO afford relief to
the INDECENT who were disabled in the ser
vice they were commanded 10y their
sovereign State to perform, there can be
little, ii any, difference OF opinion among
us. The manner in which that relief NAV
best he bestowed Is a question to which no
distinct answer could probably be given
Very much viii depend on The circum-
stances, habitues and edu u:ation ol the IN
dividuals.
The armies OF the Coufcderacy were
composed OF the citizens Of the States
They left their homes 20 defend the rights
they inherited, and ii they survived the
war, hoped to return 10 those from whom
they parted. The destruction Of their
home, and all 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 expe diture necessary to maintain
the inmates of an organized soldiers home,
would give more 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 Legisla-
ture, you will please excuse the inconclu-
sive manner in which | have writtea, but
before closing this letter, let me assure you
OF the gratihed pride with which your
generous purpose inspires me. The wish
that something should be done for suffering
Confederate soldiers has ever been nearest
to my heart, but often a the thought un-
hidden rose, it was met by the remem-
brance that arson, pillage and conhseation
had impoverished our people, and that
they had no other resource than direct
taxation to provide for their needy and dis
abled defenders. Earlier than was an
tieipated, the representatives OF the people
lind the State able - begin the performance
of a duty commended alike by good morals
and sound policy. Brave Mississippi, may
the bread she casts upon the waters return
to her manifold, and may peace aud
plenty ever be throughout her borders, is
the prayer OF one whose boyhood's aspira-
ton was, aud whose desire in age, is for
her honor and prosperity.
Please, gentlemen, to accept for your
selves and your associates, the grateful ac-
knowledgements OF your friend
Faithfully, JEFFERSON DAVIS.
Hons. w. II. Luse, J. ID. Nsrtner, Senate
Com; Hons. NJ. X. Jones, J. G. Long
street, Pres. Groves, House Com