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

Christian man .'to eat anu drink un,cOrfhiiv
I. C.. not In the proper spirit and, as far "a
lay In him, in peace with God and man.
left him TO settle that question between
himself and his own conscience and what m
understood Gods law TO be.
| In the afternoon General Miles took me 4
him again. i had spoken to him about ;h'
communion. and ne promised to make prepa
ration for me.
1 found Mr. Davis with his mind made mp
Knowing the honesty OF the man, and tina
there would be, could be mo shamming'
nor mere superstitious belief on the ordi
nance, | was delighted VIII n l found hin
ready In commune. lie had laid the brid Il
upon his very natural feeling and was read,
70 pray Father, forgive them.'
Tnen came the communicable and alone
but with God. IL was one Of those cases
where the Rubric cannot be binding. IL was
night. The fortress was so still that you
could hear pin fall. General Miles. with
his back To us leaning against the fireplace
In the ente-room; his head In his hands not
moving; the sentinels ordered TO stand still
and they stood like statues.
l cannot conceive of a moro solemn COM
munion scene. But II WAS telling upon both
OF u; trust for lasting good. Whenever
could went down To see him, N only for an
hour or two; and when his wife WIS admitted
To see him IL was plain that their commun-
ings were with God.
Time passed; not a sign Of any humiliating
giving way to the manner In which be was
was willing to suffer IN the cause OF the peo-
pie who had given him their confidence and
who still loved and admired and wept for the
man that so nobly represented the cause
which in their hearts they considered right
and constitutional.
Hts health began to be affected. The Off
GERS ofthe Fortress all felt that he ought Ia
ave the liberty OF the Fort. not only be
cause that coeld In no way facilitate any at-
tempt To escape, but because they knew he
did not wish 10 escape. He wanted 10 be
tried and defend and justify his course.
happened to be in Washington fora few h uis
nj tina. time. and as had been told by Rev.
Dr. Hall more than once that Mr.. stanton
spoke Of me very kindly, he encouraged me
TO see him about any matter thought proper
I'm Mr.. Daviss case.
went to see Mr.. stanton. He had recently
lost his son. and had been deeply distressed
-sOftened one would think; hoped so. was
admitted. A bow ana nothing more. hcgan
by expressing my thanks 10 him for allowing
me 10 visit Mr.. Davis, and that as ! was I'm
town. thought 10 would not be uninteresting
TO him 10 hear report about Mr. Davis. Not
a word IN reply.
l gradually approached the subject OF MIR
Davis health. and that without the least dan
ger OF any kind as 10 his safe imprisonment,
he might enjoy some priyilC yes, especially
the liberty of the Fort. or there was danger
of his health falling.
The silence was broken.
"lt makes no difference what the state Of
soon come on, no doubt. Time enough till
that settles IL. IL settled it In my leaving
the presence OF that man.
But the time came for his release. The way
he conducted himself just showed the man.
whom no distress could put down nor a
glimpse OF hope could only excite. lie had
seen too much and had placed his all In
higher hands than mans.
We brought him TO the SpOtswOOd and
then TO the custom-house. There the trial
WAS to take place. We were in carriage.
the people. and especially the col0red people,
testifyng their sympathy. Mr.. Davis was
greatly touched by this.
All know that the proceedings IN court
were very brief
Mr. DAVIS stood erect, looking steadily upon
the Judge, but without either defiance or fear.
lie was bailed, and the first man 10 20 on his
bond was Horace Greeley.
Our carriage pissed with difficulty through
the crow OF rejoicing negroes with their
tender affection, climbing upon the carriage.
shaking and kissing his hand, and calling
out, "God bless Mars Davis" But we got
safely 10 the SpOtswOOd.
We found Mrs. Davis awaiting us, and the
Hon. George Davis, Attorney-General Of the
last Cabinet. and n few others.
Mr.. George Davis and Just fell into each
others arms with tears in our eyes.
But Mr.. Davis turned 10 me: "Mr. Mimi
gerOde you who have been with me In my
suflerings and cOmfOrted and strengthened
me with your prayers, Is IL not right that we
now once more should kneel down together
aud return thanks?" There was not dry
eve in the room. Mrs. Davis led the way into
tie adjoining room more private: and there,
IN the deeply-felt prayer and thanksgiving,
closed the story OF Jefferson Davis prison
life.
An, this earth I'm more senses Than one con-
tinuad u prison-life for him; feeling from
which few OF those advancing In life are
wholly exempt. But MIR. Davis murmured
not: did not ask to he taken away. lie stayed
and worked and studied and wrote In his
home ut Beauvoir till the Lord called him,
took his servant home who had tried TO serve
Him amidst danger and trials, wind and
storms He has gone to his reward.
and thou, OH land Of the south, oh thou
beau ifm city Of Richmond. thank God that
such a man has been given To you, loved by
you. aud I'm his memory IL blessed to.you.
he tored the truth. ne s.rred God and his couH-
fru Let us 90 and do likewise.