Bradford County telegraph., 1906-06-15

ladrass Dellvwsd b Ex-Governor T
FloDln0,

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eress densoEeo Ia o'sAO "
nnor Francis p. Nemiug on the occa'
ahm ~ the celebration Of the birthday
q r.a...,r r,ev;a.
Oh Sol0'
Daughters Of the Oonfederscy, MY Oom'
rades and Friends:
On this occasion, when We nave as
eembled. to do honor to great Amer
loan. it ID proper 10 make some menuon
Of his life and character. which Tor hair
a century illumined the history OF TINS
country, as an inspiration to those VINO
would pursue the path OF duty through
All the vicissitudes Of fortune.
Jefferson Davis was born June :, lS0o,
In Christian county, Kentucky, the son
Of Samuel Davis, . soldier Of the Revo-
lutiou. In his early infancy his father
removed with him to Wilkinson county,
Mississippi, and he was ever afterward
a citisen Of that state. Attending first
his county schools, Mr.. Davis at an
esrlv ACE was sent for his education to
Tfensyiyania county, Kentucky, where
me remained until advanced to the SEN
for class, when In 1924, at the age OF 16,
ne entered the Military Academy at
West Point, from which he graduated
with honor in 1928. With the rank OF
lieutenant he entered the United States
army and served with credit in the
Black Hawk war in the West. In
I6Sb Mr.. Davis resigned from the
army. married the daughter Of Colonel
ZACHARY Taylor and engaged in plant
ING In Mississippi. He was not destined,
however. to continue the quiet life Of q
nlanter. and in 1874 he was elected to
congress. Soon afterward the country
becsme involved in q war with Mexico,
and In l046. by reason of his military
training. he was chosen colonel of the
First Mississippi regiment, raised for
service against Mexico. Colonel Davis
ability as a soldier was signally display
ed at the battles of Monterey and Buena
Vista. On the latter bloody field it was
mainly due to the skillful handling
Of the troops under his command that
An impeudinQ defeat was turned into a
Craat victory for the American arms.
fhOuQh suffering from severe wound,
he remained on the field in his saddle
fhrouRhOut the day. On his return
home he became United States senator,
and ON the Inauguration of President
Pierce in 1858 was appointed secretary
of war. Ibelieve it il generally con.
ceded that the position was never filed
with greater ability. He inaugurated
reforms and brought the army up to a
greater degree of efficiency than has
ever been done before or since in the
esme length of time. Upon the term
ination Of his service in the war de-
uartmeut he was again elected to the
United States senate, aud in that great
body early made his mark, ranking
with the sblest of his compeeys.
When Mississippi seceeded, feeling, q
practically all Southerners did, that his
alleQiauce was due to his state, he re-
signed his seat in the senate, delivering
a farewell address characterized by dig
nitv. moderation and high sentiments.
I wish here to refute q slander, believed
bv some. that the secession Of the South
ern states was the result Of scheme to
dissolye the Union, long cherished by
Mr.. Davis aud others. On the contrary,
no patriot loved the Union, which he
had served in the field and in the forum
and for which he had shed his blood,
with greater devotion than Jefferson
Davis. After the election Of Mr.. Lin.
colin bv n sectional vote and ON q Mat
form hostile to slavery, which institu.
ton was recognized by the Constitution
of the United States, Mr. Davis sup.
ported in the senate the Crittsnden reso.
IutiOns for the appointment of q com.
mittee to report some means Of assurance
to the South against the violation of her
constitutional rights, and thus avoid
seceasion. And, it was only " hen all
Efforts had failed, and 1t became evi-
dent that the people of the North,
flushed with political victory, intended,
in violation Of the Consultation, to con.
tinue their warfare upon Southern
iustitutions. that ne and others realized
that in salf-defense the time had come
Tor seperetion.
When refer to constitutional rights
Of the South, ! am not dealing in Gilt.
terinQ eeneralities. The Constitution
framed st 8 time when slavery existed
In al the states but one, provided foI
the restoration to his owner of slave
who should escspe TO another state. IL
carry such . provision into effect con.
srees passed what was known a the
fugitive slave act, supported by Mr.