The Washington herald., 1908-05-31

OF the birth OF Jefferson Davis, on June
g. are growing in popularity.
Some of the memorial arrangements
will be very elaborate. In Richmond, his
home for so many years. the day will be
generally observed. and Christ Church
which was attended by him, has planned
an extensive service on that day.
Mr. Davis held prominent place in
American history for many years, and 1t
cannot be wholly without interest at this
time 10 recall some of the incidents OF
his life. Though born in Kentucky. 1t
was In Mississippi. to which State he
moved with his parents at the age OF
ten years, that his political life began.
for IT was from that State he was sent
to Congress I'm 1s45, where he early be-
gan to take an active part in the discus
sions Of the day. John Q. Adams. nick
named "Old Man Eloquent" was a close
observer Of all the new members upon
the floor OF the House. and after keeping
close watch upon Davis. said: That
young man is no ordinary man. He will
make his mark yet"
Twice in the Senate.
Twice ne represented his State in the
Senate. not. however. consecutive terms,
for he resigned his seat In 1851 20 run for
governor. and came within 800 votes Of
capturing that Office. 1t was during the
period that he was in private life that
Pierce was nominated for the Presidency
and such an active worker was Davis in
the campaign that they became close
friends. and upon Pierce's success, he
rendered him the portfolio OF Secretary
Of War. This Cabinet is the only one in
the history OF the country which re-
mained intact throughout the entire ad-
minstration- This friendship proved
lasting one. and during Davis imprison-
ment Pierce went 10 him and generously
offered him a permanent home when he
should be released. 1t Is not, however,
as Representative, Senator. Secretary OF
War. or for his record of service in the
Mexican war that the greatest interest
in him centers, but in his varied for
tunes after he became President OF the
Confederacy and the cause for which he
was the embodiment was lost. There has
never been any one on whose head there
was set so great price.
Heavy Price on His Head.
When the news Of the assassination of
Lincoln became known it was believed
that 1t was prompted by Confederate
connivance, and Davis was thought TO be
an accessory to the crime. There soon
appeared posters throughout the country,
which read as follows:
One hundred thousand dollars reward in gold viii
be paid TO any person. persons. who viii aDpre-
hend and deliver jefferson Davis 20 any OF the
military authorities Of the United States. Several
millions Of specie, reported 20 be with him, viii be
come the property OF the captors-
tSignedl ]. II. WILSON.
The offer Of such a reward caused great
activity in the search for him, and in q
few days he was captured disguised
according to testimony, but later dis
proved. as a woman near Macon, Ga
The nature of his disguise has been 9
much discussed question. as concerning II
the writer quotes his wifes words:
L put my waterproof cloak and shaw
on Mr. Davis upon the impulse OF the
moment, not knowing or having time (
think what else 70 do. in hopes that h'
might make his escape in that disguise
and 1 only did what any true woman
might have done under similar circum
stances"
As every one acquainted with the stir
ring events OF those times knows. 1t wa
proven that Davis was not implicated II
the death of the President
Regretted LIncOID's Death
He remarked, however, when told o
the crime:
Il certainly have no especial regar'
for Mr.. Lincoln, but there are grea
many men of whose end 1 would mucl
rather hear than his. I regret Il deeply.
On the road from Irwinville to Macoi
after the capture. Davis heard Of tn
reward which had been offered for hi
arrest. and also Of the general belief tha
he was implicated in LIncoln's death.
81 have no serious apprehension Of III
charge of completely in the assassina
t,on. 1 do not doubt, however. the gov
ernment OF the United States will brin
q much more serious charge against me
and one which Will give me much create
trouble TO disprove e'-douDtless he d
luded to that Of treason.
During the two years of his incarcera
zion nj Fortress Monroe, MS friends Wer
very Jealous in their endeaVor 10 nav
MIN liberated. An incident concerning IN
women Of Maryland is characteristic
,be interest displayed in his behalf in II
directions by his sympathizers. Mrs. Col'
man. a great society leader or Baltlmor'
herself went TO Washington, armed VIII
a petition containing 1900 signers' asb
fuc
SON TO whom 1t was personally presented
said 70 her. after reading It: Madam.
have not the least ill-wll toward Nj
Davis I assure you. and personally
should not mind his being released; bu
believe me. It would be no act of kline
ness TO him. There are those who woul
pursue him 10 the bitter end. and his III
would be in danger on every side. II
government has no animosity to you
President. but take my word for II, B
is safer where he is. for the present 6
least"
Bond Finally Agreed Upon.
When a bond for his release was finall
agreed upon. Horace Greeley headed III
list with 100000 and the name of Co
nelius Vanderbilt also appeared as bonds
man for a large sum. Davis was finall
arraigned before United States Circu
Judge Underwood on May 13. 1867. TO /
tried for treason, but he was bailed, an
that was the last ever heard OF the trial
Being constantly importuned about h
ufe In prison, Davis remarked one day
friend: Il imagine there are no quiz
nuncs in heaven. else Lazarus must ha,
envied Davis the alienation Of his con
panions below
Mr. Davis spent a year In Canada. ar
then took up his residence abroad for
while. II was during his sojourn in Par
that there occurred an incident whiC
illustrates how slow was Mr.. Davis
forget what he considered a wrong
was his belief that the Emperor Napolec
had acted treacherously toward him in Il
course he pursued about France reco
nizlng the COnfederacy. so when
Uo~ gavNf