The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1889-12-06
One of the Most Prominent Figures
in American History Joins
the Majority
Sketch of an Active Career Both
in Civil and Military
Life.


INV OhltNNNs btcs bs-JeutfHou DAVIS
died at 1890 this morning.
Jefferson Davis was born in Christian
county, Kentucky, June ;, ls0s. His father
was an officer of Georgia cavalry in the
Revolutionary war, and settled in Wood
vile. Miss, when jefferson was an infant.
The son entered Pennsylvania College,
Kentucky, but left in q few months ON re.
ceiying AN appointment To the West Point
Academy by President Monroe. On gradu-
Ating in 1923 lac entered the First infantry
serving ON the frontier in the Black Hawk
war of 1872. He WIS made first lieuten-
ant, and resigned from the service in 1895.
His elopement in that year with the daugh-
ter of Zachary Taylor, afterward president
Of the United States, was highly sensa-
tional affair, but the match proved happy
one. lie settled in Mississippi, near ViclSs-
burg, and became cotton planter. In iSl3
he first took an active part inpolitics, and i'm
1874 was an olector un the Polk aud Dallas
ticket. In 1915 he was elected 20 congress.
aud at once took high rank ns a speaker ON
the tariff and ON military matters. The
Mexican war coming on. Mr.. Davis resigned
his seat 10 become colonel of the First
Mississippi rifles lie performed distin-
guished service at Monterey, Buena Vista,
being severely wounded in the lat
ter engagement After the close
of the war he returned 10 his home
in Mississippi, and IN 1S47 was
appointed 10 ill vacancy in the United
States senate. He was re- elected for a full
term, and served AK chairman of the senate
committee on military affairs. The slavery
question was then uppermost, and Mr..
Davis took prominent part in its discus.
sion. He fought the Missouri compromise
with great eamcsiness and proposed that
slavery should bo extended 20 the Pacific
ocean. Ills views on state rights were extreme
then as ever. In ls5l he was the states
right candidate Tor governor of Mississippi
and wis defeated. The following year
President Pierce mnde him secretary of war
IN his cabinet. In this Office he displayed
signal ability; he introduced an improved
system of infantry tactics. iron gun car
riages rhed muskets and pistols and the
Minnie ball: he strengthened our sea coast
coast defensos, and made other improve
ments IN our military equipment.
Mr.. Davis WIS one OF the earliest advocates
of n railroad to the Pacific const, which he
urged as military necessity. when in the
stnate. After he became secretary of war
he sent out surveying parties 10 examine the
various routes proposed.
In 1851 lac left the cabinet 10 again enter
tu' Nchhte' HN'phen ~ DouRldh, tit clhin-
pion Of popular sovereignty, was then
member of that body and found in Mr.. Dn-
vis his strongest opponent. MIR. Davis was
the acknowledged leader Of the democrats of
tile south at this time. lie made tour
OF the eastern states and the last in 1888,
speaking at Boston. Portland, New York
and other places. In 1860 he was a Leading
cnndidate for the presidency before the
Charleston convention and WAS strongly
supported by Ben Butler and other north
ern democrats who opposed Douglas. The
wnrds civil war and Mr.. Davis WIS sum
moned 10 Washington by Prosi-
dent Buchanan for consultation
in the crisis Soon after the
opening Of congress December 10. 1860. MIR.
Davis made a strong state rights speech,
which represented the views of the ultra
southern men. month later he made an-
other speech asserting the right of secession,
denying the power Of the government tO
coerce a state. and urging the withdrawal OF
the garrison from Fort Sumter. Two weeks
later, his state having seeded, Mr.. Davis
Withdrew from the senate in fare
well speech justiiying the action
Of his state. Before he rcnched home he
had been appointed commander -in-chirf Of
the army Of Mississippi. with the rank Of
mai lOr general, but n month later the pro-
yisional congress of the federal states elect
ed him president of the confedoncy. In
his inaugural address he declared that
necessity, not choice" had led tO seces-
sion. He condemned President Lin
coins proclamation calling for troops,
aud closed his address with the famous
words that nfierwnrd became historic. IAN
we ask IL 10 be let alone" Shortly after
this the confederate capital was moved
from Montgomery 10 Richmond.
The story of his career through the civil
war IN too fresh in mind 10 need recapituln-
tion. Mr.. Davis wnR involved in many
qudrrels with party leaders over questions
Of policy and with his generals in the field
over the conduct Of The war. A large elemen
Of the southern people were strongly op
posed 90 his administration 10 the end Of
the war and were disposed TO blame him
for the disasters that overlook the confod-
eracy. On the downfall Of the cOnfeder-
ncy Mr.. Davis was captured and kept in
close confinement nj Fort Monroe for two
years. but was finally admitted 10 bail in
SlO0.OD, Horace Greely's being the first
name on his bond. lie was never
tried for treason as WIS first
proposed and after spending some
time abroad took up his residence in
Memphis Tenn. where he became president
Of IN insurance company. In 1879 be re-
tired 10 Beauyoir, Miss, where he lived re-
tired life on an estate bequcathed 10 him by
Mrs. Dorsey, a southern woman. His career
since that time has been uueventful and
only ON rare occasions has he appeared IN