The San Saba news. [volume] (San Saba, Tex.) 1873-1966, 1889-12-13
Jefferson Davis.

and, with mental vigor undated
he passed from life at New Or
leans on Thursday night. In 1905
in Christian county, Kentucky,
son was born whose name vii
stand out prominently in histor!
as that of man of strong convic
tons, and indomitable purposes
and # not one of the greatest o
his tine, at least one whose career
stamped him as far removed from
mediocrity.
IA early as the Indian war O
1886, it is written of Mr.. Davis
that he served with distinction, al
though, only seven years previous
he had graduated at West Point
His career as colon Ell of a Missis
sippi regiment in the Mexican
war, is too well known to need repe.
tition. The memory of the gal.
liant stand he made at Buena Vista.
when wounded and worn he re-
manned at his post, even then ex-
hibiting an indomitable power of
endurance, a power that in after
years upheld him in scenes more
trying than those of mere physi-
cal trial
The memory of the gallant stand
on those heights in Mexico, will be
preserved as a sacred legacy from
fathers who shared the danger.
and rejoiced in the glory success
brought to their loved chieftain.
On his return he made the most
decided if not the first open avow-
al his liked belief, that the state
had rights separate and apart
from tie general governments, by
refusing to receive an appoint
ment offered him by president
Polk. Of brigadier-general of the
volunteer troops from the state of
Mississippi. His refusal was
based on the grounds of state SOW
and to that doctrine he
was loyal through all his chequer-
ed career
From 1928 until he was made
Of the confederacy, there
was no important political ques-
To- before stRe pstien in WHICH
BE was a jealous advocate, untir-
ng In persistence energy, and based
lis convictions on an intelligent
md careful study of the subject
le discussed. This his NEST in
1eterate enemies must grant him.
Il in the contests he failed to slay |
giants is was not because he rush
ID into battle unequIpped. He be-
ieyed in his Interpretation of the
constitution Of the United States,
md ne viii ever stand forth as the |
yreat expOurd.ss.S,,,ss.;sF'sIssst ate right
7ocfrin l7e Believed that slav-
by was a system recognized and
protected BY national law, as well
s By state enactment, and he de-
ended II. The courage of convic-
ion meant more to him than mere
-ords, and, at the peril of life and
( honorable promotion, seeing
learIy what defeat meant, he did
Iot hesitate, risked all, and lost.
AIr. Davis has been charged with
so was Cesar. Wolsey, |
Then he had climbed the pinnacle
f greatness and fallen, lying
Iruised and broken at its base
onld charge Cromwall to fling
way ambition. All would climb,
nd he who fears viii ever be a
royelef. Jefferson Davis was
ios that. Whether at the zenith 1
f his glory or quietly resting at
yentide in 6 home kind friend
hip had provided, ne was a man
IGNORED, and one might almost /
ay feared What might now be
considered as his last words was q
naughty yindication of those whom
le thought to be unjustIy con-
iemned.
President Pierce appointed him
secretary OF treasury In 1851 He
aad headed the state rights party |
u Mississippi, and met defeat in
the election OF II. S. Foote as gov /
srnor. The campaign was pro-
iuctiye of great bitterness, fore
5kadoWing the wider and more
lasting breaches that we're to fol-
low Ten years later. Amid all the
rancor Of that heated period, Mr.. |
Davis maintained q wonderful
poise, and at the close threw him
self actively into the Pierce cam |
paign.
As secretary in that administra-
lion, be was no idler, but carried
The same intelligent energy ever
Ehat marked his discharge of duty.
Il has been questioned by some
whether at his death the custo-
mary marks of respect viii be
shown. Whether to-day the flag
IF the Union waves at half-mast
over the war department building
u not, time viii confirm what YER
table history asserts, that no man