The western sentinel. [volume] (Winston-Salem, N.C.) 1887-1926, 1889-12-12

would pick out as the fire eater In his own
country he is intensely beloved, chiefly from
his kind and gentle disposition. He is man
Of whom Mississippi may well be proud"
He also took an active part in opposing the
French spoliation bill and advocating the
southern route for the Pacific railroad. He
led the so-called "Lecompton party" in con-
gress in opposition to Senator Douglas, and
in debate with the Inter propounded the once
celebrated queries and propositions which
drew from the Illinois senator his famous
theory as to the right Of a territorial legisla-
ture to adopt "unfriendly legislation" against
slavery, and his article in Harper's Magazin
which set forth the creed OF the Douglas
Democrats" The breach was now complete.
Meantime, in the summer of 1858, he made
a tour for health and pleasure through the
eastern states, delivering several addresses,
In which the warnest attachment to the
union was avowcd-always, however, with
proviso. expressed implied, that aggres-
sions upon the south would certainly be met
with resistance. Some of these addresses
have strange sound now. In a letter ac-
knowledging an Invitation to join in a Boston
celebration of tho birthday of Daniel Web
ster, In January, 1850, he wrote:
II send you my cordial greetings to the
friends Of the constitution, and ask to be en-
rolled among those whose mission is, by fra
ternity and good faith to every constitu-
tional obligation, to insure that, from the
Aroostook to San Diego, from Key West to
Puget sound, the grand arch Of our political
temple shall stand unshaken."
DID WAR BEGIN IN 1881
An event was at hand, however, which was
to precipitate the conflict namely, the en-
terprise Of John Brown. A million southern
men and women, who had laughed at the idea
Of danger from northern aggression" were
suddenly converted, saying. as one of them
expressed 1t, I'VE can no longer live in peace
with the north; our allies have become our
enemies, and we must seek release from the
connection while can do so with safety"
The feelings of jefferson Davis for the next
fifteen months may be gathered from the fol-
lowing letter, written at the close of the dis
cussion to his long time friend, ex-President
Pierce:
WASHINGTON, D. c., JAN 90 1851.
MY DEAR FRIEND-I have often and sadly turned
my thoughts to you during the troublous times
through which we have been passing, and now
come to the hard task Of announcing to you that
the hour Is at hand which closes my connection
with the United States, for the independence and
union of which my father toied and in the service
Of which have sought to emulate the example
he set for my guidance. Mississippi not as a
matter of choice but of necessity, has resolved to
enter on the trial Of secession. Those who have
driven her to this alternative threaten to deprive
her Of the right to require that her government
shall rest on the consent of the governed, to sub
St1cute foreign force Tor domestic support, to
duce a state to the condition from which the col
ony rose In the attempt to avoid the issue which
had been Joined by the country, the present ad-
ministration has complicated and precptated
the question Even now, If the duty ito preserve
the public property was nationally regarded, the
probable collision at Charleston would be avoided
Security far better than any which the Federal
troops can give might be obtained in considera-
ton Of the little garrison of Fort Sumter. If the
disavOwal OF any purpose to coerce South Caro-
lima be sincere, the possession of q work to COM
mand the harbor is worse than useless.
When Lincoln comes in he will have but to con-
Hnue in the path of his predecessor to inaugurate
. civil war, and leave soi-dtsant Democratic ad-
ministration responsible for the fact Gen. Cush-
ing was here last week. and when he parted It
seemed like taking q last leave of a brother.
Ileave Immediately for Mississippi. and know
not what may devove upon me after my return.
Civil has only horror for me- but whatever
circumstances may demand shall be met as a
duty, and l trust be discharged that you will
not be ashamed Of our former connection cease
to be my friend
Mrs Davis joins in kind remembrance to
Mrs Pierce, and the expression Of the hope that
we may yet have you both at country home.
Do me the favor to write to me often Address
Hurricane p. O., Warren county, Miss.
May God bless you. is ever the prayer Of your
friend. JEFF'N DAVIS
President F. Pierce
In that fifteen months events had moved
| rapidly towards the dread elimination. In
| the first Democratic convention of 1860, Mr..
Davis received some votes, Benjamin F.
| Butler voting for him 81 times. In the
| subsequent election the 1.-TWO northern candi-
dates" as MIR. Blaine styles them, received all
the votes of the northern states save mere
| handful, less than 100000, while Breckin
| ridge and Bell received the almost solid vote
| of tue southern states SIN truth as well as
| in appearance" adds Mr.. Blaine, cit was q
sectional contest, in which the north support
ed northern candidates and the south south
| ern candidates" "Disunion was already
| completed in the hearts of the people, says
Tourgee, 1.-THE sections simply fell apart be-
| cause there was no cohesion" These opinions
of philosophic observers long after the strug
/ gle, have their value