The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1886-03-05
JEFFERSON DAVIS,
ASA MEXICAN ETERAN,w WORTHY
OF A PENSION,
No says Mr.. wOIfOrd, Member of III
HOGse of RepreseB tatives, from
Kentueky-sensIb speech.

From the speech Of Mr.. wolford In favor
of the bill to pension Mexican veterans, and
q ainst the amendment TO except Jefferson
Davis from the provisions.l
When l was young man in for
eign country we we're fighting in Mex.
leo at a place called Buena Vista Tor
Fair View, which is the meaning OF IL
in the English language). We could
see away up the valley; we had got
that far into the Mexican country in
our advance upon the Mexican cap
ital. We had about 1000 effective
men and were surrounded by the
army OF one of the most celebrated
generals OF the Mexican government,
Gen. Santa Ana, who thought it
would be easy work with his twenty
odd thousand men, inclosing us in
every direction, to capture the little
band OF American invaders. re-
member in that fight that one OF our
reg ments, overpowered by ferocious
charge, q brave and gallant regiment,
commanded by Col. Bowles, OF Indi-
ana, left the field, and | remember at
that critical time that we were forming
a line to resist the attack Of the Mexi-
can lancers. We were in q critical
condition indeed. Isaw some soldiers
away in the valley who were COM
ing toward our rear, and others com
ing toward us in every direction. Sud.
denly we found that we were sur
rounded. Shortly aiteIward heard
the clear ring Of rifle, then a volley,
then another. turned TO my regi-
mental colonel, who died that day
Col. Clay, son Of the great Clay-and
asked, "Who is that ?" His reply
was, ut is Jefferson Davis with the
Mississippi Rifles" and l remember
how Minyone and his lancers re-
treated before the powerful volleys Of
the Mississippi Rifles, commanded by
Col. Davis, and / remember when
they left the field little afterward we
we're fearfnlly engaged in great con-
test TO liberate the Great Gen. Hard
ing of Illinois, who had gone too far in
charge, following the retreatinG
Mexicans, and had been surrounded.
Oar colonel, Mckee, fell dead and
was carried of the field; our lieulen-
ant-colonel, Henry Clay, was killed
but victory was ours. | remember
after the battle we brought the dead
bodies and laid them down before
Gen. Taylor's marquee, and there
wept over our dead, for Kentucky was
almost literally massacred in tina.
fight. While mourning over our dead,
with hearts full and beating, but It'll
feeling pride In the result, for glorious
victory was ours, remember hearing
Gen. Taylor say TO his adjutant.gen-
eral, Col. Bliss, to 20 aud call Jefferson
Davis to come 10 him. He came at
once while we were stsndingthere, and
Gen. Taylor met him. That was the
first time | had ever seen Mr.. Davis.
Gen. Taylor said to him; my daugh-
ter is a better Judge OF men than am.
Henceforth your gallant conduct in
saving our Amy makes you entitled to
be my son, and l forgive you."
l understood there had been q diff.
Guilty about q marriage. But Davis
was then considered patriot. Davis
was then considered hero, and every
body acknowledged and history eek
the fact that that gallant
man at that particular critical moment
saved our army, saved us from sur
render. And what effect 1t had upon
the war all men conversant with his
tory know. At that time Davis, that
great man, stood with the Mississippi
Rifles and turned the tide OF victory
against superior, overwhelming force,
with his heart beating for the success
Of the American cause, lover Of the
Union, lover OF the flag. Are we to
say to him that because you did wrong
in after years, because you attempted
TO revolutionise our government and
divide our country and make two sec
ions OF 1t, we will put on the record |
hat we owe you a spite, that you can
never be forgiven2
|, sir, have nothing to forgive in JET
erson Davis. He did as an honest
nan what he believed to be right
But look upon him not as Davis, the
President OF the Southern Confedera-
", for / forgive all that. put 1t be-
lind me when the war was over. |
lid not wait, as heard distinguished
Gentleman say in the Fitz John Porter
lebate, did not wait ten years for
'ooling time. God. knows l was cool
inough when the war was over.
Laughter. When it was all over l
oTgave the men we had been fighting,
have looked upon Jefferson Davis as
great man, who saved our army in
Mexico and who saved the country,
Vow, you tell me l ought to agree TO
ay with you that never forgive and
lever forget that there is one place on
arth as we'll ss another region where
forgiveness never comes, and that Is
he American Congress. Laughter !
l want to say to gentlemen who feel
n that way that the people are ahead
II you. l want to say truthtully, can
Idly and kindly to my distinguished
riend the chairman OF our committee
hat the people have forgiven Jefferson
Davis. He Is now q citizen, paying
axes, obedient to the government,
IGNORING and loving it, although he
loes not ask an Office, although he
loes not ask pension. 1t is for you
md your children tnat / speak more
han for Jefferson Davis. He is but
ne man. He will be remembered by
very man who was in the Texan war
8 one who loved his country and as a
.allant man. Aud / want to say to
'ou here and now that 1t is for your
axes ask that you shall not put on
Of the American Congress
declaration OF spite; that you shall
lot legislate for vengeance, but that
iou will show that you legislate as
rue patriots and as true statesmen
ught to legislsts-upon high and
levated plane looking to the future
.lory aud the future honor Of our
ountry as blessing after blessing will
wtoit.
naa..o-E T-...stw