The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1908-03-02
MIR. ADAMS on rnEsIDENr DAVIS.

An Interesting viewpoint of Presl-
dent Davis is given by the Hon. Charles
1 Francis Adams, OF Massachusetts, IN
some comments which he recently made
upon "The Life of Jefferson Davis by
DR.. William H. Dodd, of Randolph-
Macon. In discussing the fundamental
/ causes of his failure and that of the
confederates, Mr.. Adams says:
| Very briefly put, / think that. in
| challenging destiny for the Confeder-
| acy, Davis left out of account the two
essential elements, that cotton was,
after all, not king. and that the United
states controlled the sea. on the other
hand, j cannot see that, this apart,
Davis was in any way responsible for
the outcome. He fought the Confed
eracy for all it was worth; and no fatal
mistake either of administration or
strategy, was made which can fairly
be laid to his account
"Reviewing the whole history or the
conflict 1 have been able to fix upon
one crisis when 1t was at least an even
chance in favor of the Confederacy.
That was at the end of the Seven Days
Fighting Before Richmond, in June,
iHo-t rliliIStiattiy ultSi lSSC tooh 'OiA-
nand of the Confederate army. Davis
then certainly did everything in his
power to insure success. He had Sc
leoted the strongest man for command,
and that man had very able lieutenants
The simple :. 18th is that Lee then
should have destroyed the Army of the
Potomac. That he failed to do so
was mere accident, for which even
he could hardly be held responsible,
and Davis had no responsibility at all.
If, after the Army of the Potomac was
huddled into its place of refuge at
Harrison's Landing, the neighboring
heights had been secured, as they cas-
lily could have been secured, McClellan's
army could have been put out of ac-
ton: and, IL Lee then had turned i'm
mediately upon 1t, Washington could
easily lave been seized the South
would have been recognized by the
European powers, and the blockade
broken.
"For the failure to take advantage
of the victory at the First Bull Run
do not think Davis was in any way
responsible. The confusion and dis
order of the Confederate army rem
ther immediate operations, and the oc-
1T was otherwise in June. 1862.
Both the opportunity and the imple-
ment to make use of it were then at
! hand. That the occasion was not inn
| proved was no fault of Davis.
/ "Oe1erwise, l am unable to see that
| Davis could. taken as a whole, have
I done better than he did do. OF course,
4 every man in his position makes mis-
takes: but no mistake made by him
:. appears to me to have been vital. lie
did the best that was possible with
the means he had at command. Merely,
i the opposing forces We're too many and
too strong for him.
cor his austerity, earnestness and
fidelity, it seems to me there can be
no more question than can be enter
/ tanned of his capacity. He was a no.
ticeably strong man, OF high char
acter; but devoid OF magnetism
1t will be recalled that Mr.. Adams
paid remarkable and gallant tribute
TO General Lee on the occasion of the
celebration at Washington and Lee
/ January 10th of last year. Of the CEN
tennial of General Lees birth, and his
appreciation of Jefferson Davis would
|
telligent Nothing is more remarkable
than the softening influence of time
and the truer perspective of distance
Mr.. Davis had a task that was almos
humanity impossible. He accomplished
marvels with the resources at his com
) mand, and with it all bore himself witt
that dignity and power which market
him as man of extraordinary fore
of character.
1t is not TO be supposed that h
will achieve that popularity North o
the Mason and Dixon line which Is s.
rapidly and SO universally being nc
corded to General Lee but the day 0
!. misconception and abuse OF Mr. Davi
is passing or has passed already.