Feliciana sentinel. [volume] (St. Francisville, La.) 1877-1892, 1891-04-11
Literary Notes.
The Memoir Of Jefferson Davis

L
| BELFoED CoMrAHY, Of New
York, have just issued "Jcffci-
son Davis, EX-Prcsidcdnt of the
Confederate States. \ Memoir.
by his Wife," in two large octave
volumes of more than 800 pa
ges, literally illustrated. Fox Il
considerable time Mr.. Davis h; d
medltated an autobiographlcal
work which should not only give
to the world tic salient facts Of
his personal history, but should
also include his public acts both
under the Federal Government
and under the Confctcracy, as
well as his correspondence, docu-
mcnts, relations with the celebrat-
ed personascs of the country. and
the beliefs and principles which
guided HIM as the President of
the seeding States during the
four years struggle. After lie
had collected Vast quantity of
memoranda and had written ma
ny important sections, but before
he had arranged any portion Of
his work as he intended, nc was
suddenly cut off by death. His
wife, however, had, during her
many years Of closc union with
him, became so thoroughly ac-
Gualntcd with his whole history,
his ideas. and aims, and had aided
him so far IN the projected work,
that she was enabled to take up
the pen where her husband drop.
ped 1t and continue the volumes
to completion.
The book is writtcn with can !
dor, carnestncss, and force; with
y desire to avoid offence. and yet
with Il rigid insistancc upon fact:
and yet without bias.
1t Is, IN reality, the first authentic
voice with which the South has
yet spokcn-thc voice Of It's lea
der, claiming to be heard and
Judged rs he was, and for what he
lid; to receive the verdict of to-
lay and of posi- 'ity. Whatever
opinion may be held upon the
involved, there can he
10 question Of the perfect fair
less, carncStncS, and ScrupuiOuS
Justice of these remarkable VOL ;
INES.
CAS- to the plan OF the work.
avs Mrs. Davis, Vol. l., p. ,, II
hail endeavor, rs far us possible t
O make the book an altob,ogra-
'hy--to tell the story of my hus
'and's life in his own words: to !
omp!etc the task he left untin- /
she'd !
Mr.. Davis rose to prominence }
s Il statesman at once. His cIo- t
uence was singularly impressive.
'ol. l., PIP. 2l4-215:
"Mr. Davis speeches never -
cad as they were delivered; he J
poke fast, and thoughts crowded .
lch other closely; Il certain mag
etism of manner and the exceed
lg beauty and charm Of his voice
loved the multitude, and there Y
ere apparently no inattcntive CT
listeners. He had one
over that | have never seen ex-
elled: while speaking, he took in
le Individuality of the crowd, +.
ld seeing doubt ora lack of CO.
cidence with him IN their faces,
? answered the mental dissonancc
it'll arguments addressed to the
sc in their minls.''
Mr.. Davis wrote of the formal II
on of his cabinet, Vol. H., p 80:
aforementioned by any other
than the public wei
re. having no friends to reward
enemies to punish. it resulted
ut not one of those who formed
y first Cabinet had borne to me
C relation of close personal
iendship, or had political claims
ION me; indeed, with two of
en- | had no previous acquain- "
nee -,
Here also Is Il characteristic in
lent, Vol. H.. p. $40: -
The Confederate women look -,
on at the struggle with cv cr-In- -
easing interest: they offered
cir jewels, thcig plate, every q,
ing Of value they possessed w
lich would be useful to their io'
untry. One of these devoted ~