The Opelousas courier., 1889-12-14

flantry in the comnfander-iD chiefs dis.
patch of March 6, 1847. The regiment
was ordered home on the expiration OF
its term of enlistment, and on May, II,
1877, Colonel Davis was appointed by
President Polk a brigadier general, but
declined the commission on the ground
that n militia appointment by the fed
eral executive was unconstitutional.
The act was quite characteristic of The
man. He returned to Mississippi with
brighter lanrels and with more enti,u-
siastie welcome than any of all the
mhay young men who wen their spurs
III THAI giuii"ns war.
In August. 1877 the governor of his
State appointed Him tn fill a vacancy in
the Ihiteil States Sc,i.tc. In Janualy,
1913, The Legislature by unanimous vntr
confirmed him as stnntar by formal
eItctlan and in 1850 it was reelected
fo' a fi:l term. He Distinguished him
Self III fItr seiiate us he had in the
house. He was made chairman of tlIe
committee on military affairs, aud was
also active in the discussion on the va
ii"us phases of the slavery question:
and the important work of the session,
including the fugitive slave law aud
other compromise measures of 1850
Senator Davis proposed the extension
of the Missouri compromise line to The
Pacific, aud continued a Jealous advo-
cate of State rights.
Mr.. Davis remained Il year in retire
ment aud then before the people
again as an active supporter "f Frank
lin Pierce in the Presidential contest of
1852. General Pierce became President
Pierce and rendered the portfolio of
war TO Mr.. Davis. The latter accepted
and became q member of the cabinet.
As secretary of war Mr.. Davis made
a record unsurpassed. No man who
held the office IN time of pence made
more reputation than he. Mr.. Davis
left the cabinet mt the close of President
PieTce's term, in 1857, and was almost
Immediately reelected to the United
States senate, where he added to his
world wide fame, and came nearer fill
ing the place of pre.eminence held by
John c Calhoun tiian had any states
man before or since. Mr.. Davis was
the recognized Democratic leader IN the
thirty sixth congress. He made II t,atr
of the eastern States in 1853, mak,hg
speeches ut Boston, Portland, Me New
York and other places, making q pro-
found impression as an orator and
statesman. All over the country his
name was mentioned as a Democratic
candidate for the Presidency and he re-
ceived many votes in the nominating
convention of 1860, though his friends
announced that he did not desire to be-
come a candidate.
Before congress met, in the autumn
of 1860, Mr. Davis wal summoned to
Washington by membeFs-af President
B~uciian,n's cabinet 10 suggest st,lne
notifications to tile forthcoming mes
sage TO congress. The suggestions Eete
made, and were adopted. In the ensu-
ing session Mr.. Davis made, on Dec. 10,
E=Z=ZZEl
1860, q speech in which he carefully
distinguished between Independence,
which the States had achieved at great
cost, and the union which had cost esIit-
lie time, little money and no blood
He was appointed OH the senate ON
mittee Of thirteen to examine aud re-
port on the condition of the country,
aud, although lit first excused 1T his
own request, finally consented 10 serve,
accepting his appointment in = speech
ii which he avowel his willingness 10
make any sacrifice 10 ayertthe impena
ing struggle.
The committee, after remaining Id
session several days, reported on Dec.
81 their inability to come To any salts.
factory conclusion. On Jan. 10, 1861,
Mr.. Davis made another speech on the
state of the country, asserting the right
Of secession, denying that Of coercion
and urging the withdrawal oflbe garsi.
snn from Fart Sumter Mississinni q.
coded on Jan. 9, the day before. Mr.
Davis received official nntice Of this ae-
ton on Jan. "a, md promptly Withdrew
from the aenate aud started for home
He took leave of his associates in Il
speech III which he defended the cause
Of the soatfl, and nj closing begged par
don Sf all whom he had ever offended.
1t was bis last appearance on tie fiaor
of fhe United States Senate.
Before he reached home be had heen
appointed hy the convention c0mman
deT-in chief of the army Of Mississippi,
with llfe rank of major general bnt On
Fea I8, 1861, lie exchanged this Office
for that Of President of the Confederate
States, to which the provisional con
gress at Montgomery had elected him
on the 9th Of February On Feb. is lie
~ inangarated al Montgomery, and
began At once tn organize the new gov
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