The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1888-08-29
A PATHETIC EPISTLE.
Letter From Jefferson Davis t
the Late Mrs. Scott.

A few days ago was publish the
news OF the sad death of Mrs. Fannie
Ada Scott, widow of General Thomas
NJ. Scott, of Mem phis, Tennessee, in
very reduced circumstances. In her
trunk was found large number of let
tiers and documents, literary and war
papers and interesting communications
from people whose names are promi-
nent in the annals of these times.
Among them was letter from Jeffer-
son Davis. beautiful in lis tender SYM
pathy and Christian consolation. The
daughter he refers to was not hers, but
the child of General Scott by former
marriage. The orphan has been dead
for many years.
Mr.. Davis letter is as follows:
by Dear Mddam-I have just received
your sad note communicating to me
the sudden death of your precious nus
band. To one Of your sensitive and
highly-strung organization this blow
will be very hard to bear. You will
suffer much, but in the end you will be
glorified and purified, for it is only
through deep aff1iction that our gross
human natures are exalted and made
angelic and divine. It is hard 10 be-
lieve, but it is consoling to think that
the Lord loVeth whom he chastenetn;
and yet it does seem to be so, for the
wicked ofttimes seem to flourish, while
| those who cling to his faith are ap-
perently stricken down, only to rise re-
fulgent under His heavy stroke. Low
ing as deeply as you have done the dear
Gepared, who lives but in YOUR fixed
memory now, you will at first
be disposed to repine and rebel
against an memorable fate. You will
weep many deep and bitter tears over
what you may think ought never to
have been, and the day will bring many
signs and the night will wiring from
your bosom.many means, and the very
air will be profoundly vocal with your
sad and pitiful complaining. My sweet
friend, let your poor human nature
and your stricken heart thus exhaust
itself. Give free vent to all your SYM
pathies; to all your emotions; to all
your regrets; to all your unavailing re.
proaches even, against this sad ordina-
ton of heaven, and when tired and eX-
hausted nature seeks repose from this
pitiless storm, visit the abodes of the
wretchedly poor, of the sick and the
afflicted: go, if needs be, and put rose
leaves under the pillow of the
dying, and you will then see
that yours is but part of
all our common lot. and that
there are many more others than
yourself in this world WAC are infin-
itely worse off in comfort. consolation
and hope than you are yourself; and,
| instead of repining, on ought to thank
God for whatsoever good it pleases Him
still to allow you. Occupy your mind
with reading with writing letters, or
buckle it down to some earnest, hard
mind--work. which will give relief to its
overstrained faculties. If you can do
so travel somewhere this summer with
your beautiful daughter, and let her
winsome ways charm you and give you
the edification you now need so much.
} Write me, ma chere, of all that con-
Germs yourself, for you will always find
in me warm, sympathizing friend, as
we have both travelled through the ebon
furnace gate of affection together.
Until you hear from me in st. Louis
you may direct your letters here. In
the hope that God may keep you and
abundantly sustain and bless you.
have the honor to be most cordially
yours, JEFFERSON DAVIS.