Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1893-05-31
GOVERNED BY HIS CONVICTIONS.
Testimonial Of Dr. Curry Who Was In
Congress with Mr. Davis

tousffss WIN WI.
Nv acquaintance with Mr.. DAVIS began
in December. 1851. he being Senator from
Mississippi and | q Representative from
Alabama. Living III an adjoining state.
attached TO the same political principles,
admlring his ability and character. | re-
gardcd II a. privilege 20 know him and
have occasional conferences on important
sublectq. Few persons have been more
misunderstood aud moro maligned. No
man ever lived who had IN his mental and
moral makeup iess OF the consp!rator.
He was not rash, nor did he advise preclp-
itato and extreme measures. Natural con-
servatlsm and intelligent craftsmanship
gavo hun the habit of circumspection, of
looking ahead. Of trying TO fOrsee and COM
prehend the results of certain course
OF action. In manuscript letter lying
before ne. addressed 10 myself. dated
June I. 1859. he says: Our right is equali-
-, ana the duty of the General Govern
mrnt is to give adequate protection 10
every constitutional right which was
placed under its care. II existing laws,
through the judicial and executive de-
p1rtmen's. give adequate protection, II
would be uuwlso 10 invite further legisia-
ton under the apprehension that they
might not hereafter be e.fcctGal.
We have gained several positions within a
few years and We should take care TO for
tlfc cur possession OF them. As the smaller
of the cOntcndng armies 1t behOOyeS IA
carefully to reconnoitre ground before we
advance to occupy it,
GoyRnNrD BY CONVICTIONS or DCTY.
In his connection with the Confederacy
he was governed by the strongest cOnyIc-
tions Of duty. His enemies being judges.
10 American citizen prlor 20 1851 passed
through all tho conflicts with more ire
81 Il. Ia A calHTar 1sn J. a
regular army and IN the war with Mexico,
"a n senator. as the Secretary Of War. he
was always active, energetic. able. never
Rhirkng duty, never evading RESPONSE
billtg. He was clear. positive. pronounced
in speech and action. and yet SANDER or
prejudice or malevOlence has never Oues-
toned his patriotism nor cast a SUR or
suspicion upon purity of motive or con.
duct. In bIs high and difficult oilce OF
President Of the Confederate States, while
men challenged his Judgment, sometimes
antagonlZed his policy, yet no one ever IN
timated dIstrust of hs loyalty e. the
cause be espouse1 or whispered au2ht
against the integrity Of his admlnlstra-
ton.
Mr. Davis was q frank man. in public
nnb in private. In his political speeches DO
never deceived Senate or constituency or
people. In 1859 he visited the North for
his health and made speeches III Maine
In Faneuil Hall, and in New York. These
addresses were collected aud published IN
a pamphlet with one 10 the Legislature OF
Miesissippl. and should be read bv any
one seeking IN n calm. historic spirit 20 do
Justice TO Mr. Davis or the COnfederacv.
In the spring of 1859 lie submitted IA series
of resolutions 10 the senate. III which he
declared his political creed with such
plalnncss and fulncss that no one. not
even the most ignorant and prcludiced.
can m'sunderstaud. The tricks, the eva
sions attributed 10 politicians. the Delphlc
euuIvocalness winch characterizes some
platforms and utterances were foreign 10
his frank manly nature.
WELL FITTED FOR PUBLIC LITE.
hir. Davis had unusual fitness for public
life. Besides thorough general education
he was fond of scientific investigations.
and made himself exceptionally familiar
with such reconcile subjects proper
knowledge Of winch was necessary % safe
aud wise legislation. As Secretary of War.
being anxious 10 adopt whatever would be
an Improvement upon our service, he sent
Young and capable officers abroad 90 study
and report upon the organization end
equipments of European armies. In the
Senate, on all questions requiring special
scientific knowledge, such az the coast
survey, construction of public bGlldlng5,
the nautical almanac. and KIN
bred measures, Mr. Davis was one of the
few senators who could discuss them i'll
diligently and profltably.
j. i. III. CURRY.