The Daily times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1886-1889, 1889-12-07

here had been no time IN prepare OF pur-
base one. between the organization Oh the
confederate government and the commence
nent OF hOstiiities. Under these circum-
tances thereyremained only one resort, 10
private armed ships 10 assault the floating
commerce Of the enemy. and to some extent
leutraiize the blockade. The authority 10
ssue commissions and letters OF marque
ind general pprisal 20 priyateers was given
~ act Of Congress, passed May 9Th, 1851.
In his proclamation converting Congress
N special session, Prpsideat Davis reviewed
he entire situation rs II then existed. es-
fablished the doctrine OF secession; detailed
The facts showing the bad faith OF the
North in relation 10 Fort sumter and the
necessity for its capture; spoke satiricaily
" iincolns proclamation which attempted
to treat seven sovereign States and i've mil
lions Of people. in n territory Of half mil
lion square miles, as combinations which /
he supposed 20 suppress by a posse CONF
totWs Of $4,000 men; congratulated the Con-
gless on the probable secession Of other |
slave states; Informed them that commits
sioners had been sent to England, France. |
Russia and Belgium 10 seek the recog,Vi ION |
Of the Confederate states, and concluded
with these impressive words, which are
usually misquoted and misconstrucd In
Yankee prints
:
we protest solemuly in the face Of mankind
that we desire peace at any sacrifice save
that OF honor and independence; we ask no
conquest. no ACKNOWLEDGEMENT. no conces-
sions of any kind from the states with whom
we were lately confederated. All we ask j.
10 be let alone. that those who never held
power over us shall not now attempt our
subjugation by arms. This we will, this we
must resist 10 the dire extremity. The mo-
ment that this pretension is abandoned the
sword will drop from our grasp. and we will
be ready 10 enter into treaties OF amity and
commerce that cannot but be materially
beneficial. 80 long as this pretension is
maintained, with nrm reliance on that d.
vine power which cover. with its protection
the Just cause. we will continue the struggle
for our inherent right To freedom, independ-
ence, and self-goyernment."
TIE PRESIDENT IN RICHMOND.
The geographical position Of Virginia
then clearly Indicated this State as the
probable theatre Of the war that was now
certain 10 follow. With the eve Ofthe soldier
and the appreciation of the statesman.
President Davis urged the immediate ~
moyal of the capital to the soil Of the Old
Dominion. ON the 10Th Of May the seat OF
the Confederate Government was trans
ferred from Montgomery 20 Richmond, the
capital of Virginia. Within few day.
LATER Nr. Davis followed IL. His journey
northward was continued series of grand
ovations. At every railroad station ne wa'
received with every demonstration OF popu
lar favor and exultation, and he had In
yariaby to appear and make BRIEF speeche'
to the enthusiasts multtudes, -
Arriving IN the "City Of the Seven Hills.
President Davis was greeted by one Of tb'
/
| OF enthusiasm ever accorded any prince
potentate. or ruler. He was escorted by ~
| immense thrOng of people TO the >potswooC
| Hotel. corner Eighth and Main streets.
| where n suit of handsome ap iFtments had
| been provided for his temporary occupation
until more suitable arrangements could D'
made for the President Of the Confederacy
The streets were handsomely decorated
with bunting. over the hotel and lroln th'
windows all alon. the streets Confederate
| flags i'm abundance waved, ana the fre-i
Dental rooms in the hotel were gorgeousll
decorated with the infant Confederate
colors. In honor of his arrival almost ever,
house i'm the city fiuns the ''>tars and Bars
TO the breeze.
The transfer Of the Confederate capital Il
Richmond was an event affecting the direc
| tiop. character and destlnies of the war. II
the progress OF the war its wisdom was gen
orally recognized. and in the calmer Judg
| mont of the prpsent there il scarcely dis
senting voice to the prevailing opinion tina
il was a master-stroke of political sagacltl
and military foresight. That ELEGANT ol'
residence, since known rs the "Presiden
Davis Mansion" was soon procured an'
rendered by the city for the use Of Mr.. Dawn
and his family. Ii is situated IN the north
eastern portion of the city, at the corner o
/ "A
looking at that time quite picturesque
Landscape. The location during the wa
was i'm the midst Of the fashionable resi-
dences of Richmond. The house wa
luxuriouslv furnished, and there th
the President and Mrs. Davis dispense
the elegant and refined Inequalities 70
which the mistress Of the tbniedefat
white House" was so eminently distiI
quished. I'm that house they lived durin
the most trying and exciting periods VIII
, which the history OF the D0nledefac
giistens and critters. There their little sol
= Joe Davis, had the accident which te
: minated his happy and innocent NE, d.
which brought mcOnsOabie grief To tn
hest and MODEST OF fathers and mothers.
Mrs. Davis is described mt the time NJ
lady OF tall. commanding figure. with dhr
I hair. ewes and complexion, and strongl
= marked expression. which lies chiefly at "a
mouth. With firmly set vet flexible lip
there is indicated much energy Of purpos
/ and will. but beautifully .Oftened by m
, usually sad expression Of her earnest eye
Her manners are kind, graceful, easy, an
afable. and her receptions were chara
I terized by the dignity and suavity whic
( should very properly distinguish the draw
: Ing room entertainments Of the cher Ma
= istratr of "A republic.
. This almost sacred edlfice, the ~Da'
b Mansion il the only relic and monulnei
= that Richmond has OF the family and Pres
= dent Of the COnfederacy. II has been dcs
. Grated bv being made the military hea'
= anartrrs Of the commanders OF the enemy
: forces. Ii was then utilized by transform
4 tion into "A "public SCHOOL, All this W;
d had enough but recently IL was pr0po-,
in the civ Council 10 tear il down for u
Q purpose Of building more suitable scho
4 ON lis site. This would be- vandalism Of u
!, most indecent type. and il would be pro
/ to the world that Richmond was wiIlins
70 bury out of sight the last object she bad
= remind her Of the man who had given ,
Y genius. bravery and life 10 the cause OF u
J. Confederacy. Much more patriotic ana
e thorough harmony with the feelings OF u
e peopll,of Richmond and the south than q
e Council proposition, is the following lett
Il i'm reference to the preservation of the "
!. home Of the much-beloyed President and !
q family:
= ABINGDON VA, December |, 1889.
~ Dear Sir-As one Of the many wno' look
!. upon and sim regards Jefferson DAVIS as oi
y Of the greatest statesmen this or any oih
u country has ever produced, deem ~ not
p of place 10 humDiy express my opinion
opposition 10 the removal or destruction
the White House Of the COnfederacy.' J U
subject Is one winch not only concerns hlc
mond but "A very large portion OF our COUNT
"A Nav suggest that instead OF teuflng dO'
>, | tnis celebrated structure sum be raised 81
ncient to properly repair II ana Deautliy
IL l grounds The means might be raised by cF
Al small contributions through your column
4 anu through the southern Historical 30
NJ ETY.. The building belongs 10 Richmond al
n | history as much as does ~. Johns Churs
As well might you talk 10 tbo good old Qua
= ers OF Buckle county, Pa, about tearing do'
~ the old Friends meetiug-hOuse at Buckli
70 ham They would point with priue a
id affection u ancestral graves two ccntuf
Al old and tell you, too, that those marks In
\, window ficings were made Dy Hessinn b.
!! lets. unmindfui as 10 whether THEREFORE IA
>; ers sided with King George or thc colOni
n Iney would never think OF desecrating
T. spot 10 AFFORD site for the capital OF a sta
h or even the nation
a A century hence. nnd within shor
a. time, tue people OF the United states v
" point 10 "the White House OF the ~
federacy" and say: There lived
le great exponent OF states rlgh's-fne cha
h, Dion OF mans individual rights and