The weekly Thibodaux sentinel and journal of the 8th Senatorial District. [volume] (Thibodaux, Lna. [i.e. La.]) 1875-1898, 1890-02-15
THE WHITE HOUSE OF II coSFEDERAcY.

THE WHITE HOUSE OF THE CoNFEDERACY.
IF, in the opinion of others, it be possible
for me to do anything for the public good,
the last moment while | stand here is at the
command of the senate. If | could see any
means BY which | could avert the catastro-
phe of a struggle between the sections of the
union, my past life, | hope, gives evidence
of the readiness with which | would make
the effort. If there be any sacrifice which |
could offer or the altar of my country to
heal all the evils. present or prospective, no
man has the right to doubt my readiness to
do it,
With only two or three exceptions the de
parture of southern statesmen as their states
seeded was singularlv calm and di-nified.
On the 2lst of January, 1861. the senators
from Florida, Alabama and Mississippi with
drew. Mr.. Blaine praises the manner of Sem
ator Davis, adding: NO man gave up more
than Mr.. Davis in joining the revolt against
the Union. In his farewell address TO the
senate there was a tone of moderation and
dignity not unmixed with regretful and ten
der emotions"
Before Senator Davis could reach homo
Mississippi had appointed him commander in
chief of all her forces, with the rank of major
general On the 4th of February. 1861, dele
gates from several states convened in Mont
gomery, Ala, and soon adopted a constitu-
ton for the Confederate states. On the 9th
the convention unanimously elected Jefferson
Davis president. Alexander II. Stephens was
named for vice president and inaugurated at
once. On the 10th Mr.. Davis arrived; on
the 18th he was -inaugurated.
THE CONFEDERATE CABINET.
He named for his cabinet; Robert Toombs,
of Georgia, secretary Of state; Leroy Pope
Walker, of Alabama, secretary of war.
Charles G.. Memminger, of South Carolina.
secretary of the treasury, Stephen r.. Mai
lory, of Florida. secretary of the navy. Judah
t. Benjamin, attorney general, and John Fl.
Reagan, of Texas, postmaster general. In
the divisions which soon arose, AIessrs.
Toombs. Walker and Memminger retired;
the others remained in the cabinet 10 the last.
Mr.. Benjamin was popularity credited with
being the ruling spirit" He was among
the last to leave Richmond and to part with
President Davis; he escaped arrest and i'm
prisonment by flight to London. where he
became a British subject, and soon entered on
a career at the bar so brilliant and successful
that it caused his American failures to be al
most forgotten.
The inaugural address of President Davis
was read with breathless interest in every
part of the country. as, i'll the prevalent
ignorance and confusion. men sought in it the
indications of peace or war. But it was not
In the power of any man, however wise, at
that time to give assurances. The most sig
nlhcant passage in it, perhaps. was this:
have entered upon a career of indie
pendence, and it must be in1exibly pursued.
Through many wears Of controversy with
our late associates of the northern states we
nave vainly endeavored to secure tranquil
lily, and obtain respectf for the rights to which
we are entitled. As a necessity, not of choice,
we have resorted to the remedy of separation,
and henceforth our energies must be directed
to the conduct of our own affairs, aud the
perpetuity of the Confederacy which we have
formed.