The state chronicle., 1893-05-28
,JEbFERSON DAVIS.


in the Capitol of North Carolina
and thousands of our citizens will
seek to do honor to his memory
and manifest their reverence for the
illustrious statesman who has passed
hence by participating in the memo
rial exercises of the occasion. These
exercises are designed to be simple
and unostentatious, partaking more
of solemnity than of display. Such
is the tribute that North Carolina
would pay to tine mortal remains OF
one whom we delighted to honor in
life and who was our chosen Presi-
dent and foremost citizen in the
most glorious period of our annals.
In virtue he was spotless; in patri-
otism he was peerless; in attain
ments he was excellent; in the dis
charge of his duties he was fearless
and constant; while he illustrated
the genius of our brave people by
heroic conduct on the battlefield
and by a wise and firm policy in the
cabinet. Orator, soldier, statesman,
scholar and Christian gentleman
take him all in all he was one Of
the most commanding figures in the
history of the world, and his fame
will shed radiance over the South
ern country as long as valor is es-
teemed and virtue revered.
Jefferson Davis was born in Ken
tucky in June 1903, but few years
later mis- father removed to Missis-
sippi with which State he later be-
came closely identified. He grad
uated at West Point at the age of
twenty, and won laurels in the Black
Hawk war and added to his military
reputation in the war with the Paw
nees. After some years service in
the army he resigned, and having
married the daughter of General
Taylor sought the ease of plant
er's life in Mississippi. After ten
years Of retirement, he was elected
to Congress and entered on a bril-
liant career as a statesman; but the
war with Mexico breaking out and
The first regiment of Mississippi ri
fes having elected him as Colonel,
he hasteDed to the field of battle.
He bore conspicuous part in the
storming of Monterey, but won his
greatest fame at Buena Vista, where
his regiment turned the tide of bat
tie and saved the American army
from destruction. He became the
hero of the army and his fame rang
from Maine to Texas. Next to Scott
and Taylor his name was most on
the tongues of the people
He was Immediately elected Sen
ator from Mississippi and took
rank with Clay, Webster, Calhoun,
Benton and the other great men Of
that period.
He was transferred to the Cabi-
net on the election Of President
Pierce in 1852, and served with
great acceptability as Secretary oi
War until March, 1857, when he re.
sumed his seat in the Senate.
Mr.. Davis was devotedly attached
to the Union. He said that his ia
ther and uncles had fought through
the Revolutionary war; that three
of his brothers fought in the war O.
1872; that he, a. the age of sixteer
had consec1ated himself to tn.
service of his country snt
had split his blood and wa
ready to give his life for it
Matters between tie ee.ticn
came to a Gc.sis IL the fail OF 1860
On ths election Of Lincoln to be
President, South Caru!.ua aacs dot
and the Gulf States folio we'd
In all those days of fierce xci5e
ment Jefferson Davis and be
Southern statesmtn realized tn
possibilities that mighg eIsue Y.u
cey and some others We're for VIC
lent action; others equally patr4ou
and devoted to the South were TO
so eager for the final catastrophe
The people at home were more ag
gressive and more forward than tia
thoughtful statesmen who recog
nized the dread misfortunes Of tn
great issue. Sunset Cox has writ
ten: In the Congress of 1860, fore
most for influence, for peace or war
for union or disunion is Jefferso
Davis; now unlike that Davi
who in Maine but a few years ag
had spoken burning words for th
perpetuity of the Union. At tbs
Congress, QS60) he was far NOR
potential in directing the fatef,
genius of Southern statesmanshi
than any other man in the Senat,
But it must be said he was not fol
ward in secession. His state ws
not among the foremost to seced
She waited until the 9th of Januar
1861, and her Senators fingered III
til the 21st before they withdrey
1t is generally credited anon
those who were familiar with Nj
Davis inclinations that even afte
the ordinance was passed he WI
anxious to remain. There is ind,
bitable evidence that while in tt
Committee of Thirteen he was will
ing to accept the compromise of M
Crittenden and recede from sece
sion. This committee and a Hous
committee of thirty-three we're the
considering "the State of the Union
The compromise failed (by Repu'
lican votes) because Senator Ha
II IL