The Laurens advertiser. (Laurens, S.C.) 1885-1973, 1896-01-14
! CONFEDERATE PRESIDENT.
ALK FnoM ONE oE HIs srAFE.

o First Met MIR. Davis--The Am
ressiOn He Made as q Unite,
tates Senator
stin (rex) Cor Atlanta Constitution.
"A small man in physique, will
aowy hair aud beard and twinklin.
due eyes sat in the capital here tn,
1er day with u party OF interested
teners surrounding him. The maj
Known to every Texan and he ha
'ryed the people OF this State in posi-
ms OF honor and trust and his career
>ugh IL may not be familiar to peo
,resifing outside of the Lone Star
ite, iS q remarkable one. The per
Twas Ex-Governor and ex-State
easurer Frank II. Lubbock. He
'~teresting his listeners with re-
,nces OF the dead president ol
onfederacy--Jetferson Davis
whom he was intimately ac.
lted and associated during the
ng and turbulent days.
Il feel a deep veneration and love
rJef Davis" the old man began as
.percsptible tear found it's way down
mis- rugged cheek. THE story of his
life and death has been told in prose
and song by many OF the ablest minds
think can tell you something that
may be of interest to you about this
dead hero and statesman.
l met Mr.. Davis in 1860 In Wash
tngton as q United States Senator. In
my view of the war he came up fully
to the standard fixed upon him as q
distinguished man and l think he
stood as the peer of any man then in
the councils of the government. En-
pertaining these views as soon as | was
chosen Governor OF the State of Texas,
in 1851, L repaired to Richmond, Va,
thatI might take counsel of this great
mind and endeavor to so shape my
course touching the war as to give
strength and prosperity to the Con
federate cause. L found him then at
the front, where he always was when
his civil duties permitted. Returning
home was inaugurated, and through
my administration Texas kept in har-
mony with the government at Rich
mond, putting into the Confederate
service 10000 men. Upon the expira-
tion OF my term as Governor, entering
the army and while serving in Louis
lana, Mr.. Davis appointed me ON his
staff with the rank of colonel of
cavalry, had my nomination confirmed
by the Senate without my knowledge
and requested me, il accepted, to re-
port at once for duty, that he wished
an officer near him as representative
from the trans Mississippi country.
After an immediate and hurried con-
sultation with Generals Wharton,
Hardeman and Harrison and others OF
my military associates, left for Rich
mond in a few hours. My reception
was all 1 could have desired. Mr..
Davis, always kind and polite, assured
me OF his pleasure at my coming so
promptly and made me feel quite at
homo in his military family.
My first impression when entered
his presence confirmed my previously
formed opinion of his grand and
dignitied character, of his patriotism
and devotion TO the work to which he
had been called by trusting people.
Constant attendance day by day upon
the executive, while in his office or
during his very frequent visits to the
field, the camp and the hospital, found
e1 In my heart u strong love for the
map and still more increased my ad-
miratiOn for the soldier and states
man. Frequently visiting his home in
Richmond and seeing him with his
talented and lovely wife, surrounded
by his children, [ knew him, my
friends," the Ex-Governor frightened
up and said, ''as noble husband and
Christian parent. Beside
the happiness of his family he appeared
never to be concerned about anything
but the welfare of his people. From
the day took service with him to the !,
very moment that we. were SO cruelty
sep {lrated, subsequent to our capture,
US request that should be placed in
same prison with him being denied
Hiall through his s@triumph and his
witnessed his unselfish-
Ebss. He displayed more self-abnega-
tiGn than any human being have ever
known. While commander in chief,
with thousands at his bidding, he in
variably declined escorts and guards.
When cautioned about exposing him
self to danger, he always replied: Il
have no fear for myself And in the
most impressive manner he would visit
the lines of the army with one aide.
While fond of society, he rarely sought
itIduring the war, it being his pleas
ant duty to give every hour of his time
TO his country. While burdened with
Weighty matters of State, he was
kindly attentive to all classes of peo-
pie. He was as polite and atfabie to
the humblest soldier or his messenger
boy as to the officer of the CHEST rank
in the army. For this and his many
great virtues he was loved by all who
served near his person. He was
always welcomed with great respect
and cordiality when visiting the troops
in their quarters. 1t has been asserted
that he WAS harsh and severe TO those
with whom he Differed" said the dead
chieftain's staff officer. This js an
entire misapprehension of his nature
and disposition. Though tenacious Of
his own opinions and quite fixed in his
judgment when formed, he seemed to
me to be much more tolerant than
other men of ability and power with
whom | have been associated. While
others would be tolerant and very
.exacting during our struggle, he
would be the apologist Of many who
failed in their duties, treating delin-
quents with compassion and leniency."
The colonel continued: After the
war was over / had the good fortune
of travelling with him in France, Eng
land and Scotland. 1t is known that
as en,orator he was seldom equaled, and
as q conversationalist he surpassed all
/ have ever met. His accurate obser-
vations and extensive reading made
him most charming, and as travelling
companion the life of any party. He
visited these countries for the pur-
pose OF business and to build up his
shattered health brought about by
great strain upon him and long inn
prisonment. In his travels ho was
always the same dignitied and ele-
CANT gentleman that he was while
u citizen Senator, cabinet officer
or president. He had friends ard
admirers wherever he went. He was