The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1893-06-01

4 tue uauBhter OF Colcnei Zachary TaylOr
This period Of his life is embraced In ar
interval between 1895 and fs43.
Mr.. Davis emerged from his secIusfor
In lA3. In the summer Of that year III
was appointed delegate 10 the Democrat,
State Convention. which met at Jackson
There he delivered his first public address
which Immediately attracted to him the
attention and admiration of his party
associates.
In 1874 he was placed on the electoral
ticket, and In the campaign Of that veal
he acquired such reputation as TO es
tablish him firmly in the confidence OF
the people Of Mississippi.
From that date to 1860, Mr.. Davis was
an earnest member OF the Democratic
party, and for several years prior to the
| war prominent among those mentioned
for the presidency. He received the nomi-
nation OF his party for Congress Novem-
ber 1915. and was elected TO the House OF
Representatives.
on Monday, December 8. 1a45, he quail
fed as a member OF the House, and be-
gan his brilliant legislative career.
Jefferson Davis was born soldier
While in the midst OF his useful laborc
as a member OF Congress In 1916. he re-
ceived with delight the announcement
that he had been elected colonel OF the
! First regiment OF Mississippi volunteers.
He at once resigned his seat in Congress-
and started to take command OF the
regiment already on its way TO Mexico.
/ He overlook the regiment at New Or
leans. and by midsummer had REINFORCED
| General Taylor on the Rio Grande.
Colonel Davis was one OF the COM
| missIoners appointed by General Taylor
10 arrange the terms OF capituation Of
! Monterey. All the world knows the noble
| conduct Of Jefferson Davis on the 25d
/ OF February, 1877, at Buena Vista. IL was
/ here that Colonel Davis, after routing
| both the infantry and the cavalry Of the
enemy was again attacked by reinforce
| ment Of Mexican Lancers, and himself
received a severe wound Though suffer
| ing greatly. he refused to leave the heid'
and turned the tide OF battle by his
bravery and GOODNESS.
The term Of enlistment OF his regiment
having expired July. 1sf7, Colonel Davis
returned to the United States, and re-
ceived the congratulations Of the people
everywhere, being caller the hero OF
Buena Vista.
While in New Orleans, on his way
home. Colonel Davis was offered by Cen
eral Polk the position OF brigadier-general
Of volunteers, which he unhesitatingly
declined.
Less than two months after his return
to Mississippi, Colonel Davis was appoint
ed by the Governor OF the State to fill
a vacancy in the United States Senate,
occasioned by the death of General
SpeIght. and at the ensuing session Of the
legislature he was unanimously confirm
ed 10 fill the remainder Of the unexpired
term. The entire term of his service
I'm the Senate from 1S47 to 1851, and from
1857 TO 1861, comprises about eight years.
In 1850 he was reelected United States
senator, but resigned 10 accept the nomi-
nation for Governor OF Mississippi, in
opposition to Henry s. Foote, the Wing
candidate. He was defeated by ma
joTity Of 500 votes, which was regarded
as a personal triumph, the majority Of
the Wing party at a previous election
having been $500.
He now remained in retirement until
the campaign Of 1852 when he made a
canvass Of Mississippi, Tennessee and
Louisiana for General Franklin Pierce
for President. General Pierce, upon his
election, rendered 10 Colonel Davis the
position of Secretary of War. which he
accepted and filled with distinguished
ability. Mr.. Pierce's term Of office ex-
pired on March (, 1857, and with it ex-
pired Mr.. Davis connection with the
executive branch Of the Government.
During the Thirty-sixth Congress, which
assembled in December, 1859. Mr.. Davis
was the recognized leader OF the Demo-
cratic party in the Senate. When the
first signs of the cloud OF war between
the North and South began TO appear,
Mr.. Davis used all his powers and elo-
quence in the interests OF peace, and did
not quit the Senate until the secession
Of Mississippi on January Q, 1861. Upon
his return home he was at once honored
by the appointment 10 command the mi
nh n
maior-general. but before he could as
sumo the responsibilities OF this position
he was called by the voice of millions
10 guide the destinies I'm the hazardous
experiment Of Independent nation exist
ence.
REPRESENTATIVES from the Confederate
States met February 4. 1851 ana an
noarced its choice of Jefferson Davis az
President. and Alexander II. Stephens, OF
Georgia, Vice-President. Being Informed
Of his election Mr. Davis at once left his
home for the seat Of Government, and on
his arrivat-was inaugurate1 with simple
ceremonies February Is, 1861.
President Davis was at all times most
solicitous FOR peace, and adopted every
exDadlent Of negotiation that could pro-
mote that end.
On the 10Th Of May, 1861. the seat Of
Government was removed at the sugges-
ton Of President Davis from Montgomery
10 Richmond, and a few days later Mr..
Davis followed II. on his arrival he was
escorted by a immense thrOng Of people
TO the Spotswood Hotel, where suitable
quarters were arranged for HIM Mr..
Davis remained here until the grand old
mansion at the corner OF Twelfth and
Clay was procured for him, and In this
white House" OF the Confederacy Jef-
ferson Davis and his family spent the
trying years Of the war
on Sunday morning, July 2lst. Mr.. Davis
left Richmond TO be present at the nrst
battle OF the war, the famous battle Of
Bull Run" and sent from the battlefield
one Of those terse and famous dispatches,
which will be long remembered by those
who gathered from Il the first intelligences
of the great victory.
The President remained at Manassas
In consultation with Generals Johnston
and Beauregard until July 23d. and then
return ed to Richmond. whore he was
greeted with great rejoicings. At the
depot Mr.. Davis delivered the following
remarkable little speech: Fellow-citi-
zens OF the Confederate States: Il re-
joice with you this evening in those bet
ter and happier feelings which we all eX
perience, as compared with the anxiety
OF three days ago. Your little army
divided for its want Of numbers; divided
for its want Of arms; divided for its lack
OF all the essential material OF war, has
met the grand army OF the enemy, routed
IL at every point. and it now flies in in
glorious retreat before our victorious
columns. We have taught them a lesson