The sun., 1908-02-16
II.

with a high forehead, large blue eyes and
rather prominent cheek bones. He was
thin and more than six feet tall. His step
was light and springy-perhapsa result Of
his West Point training. His presence,
conduct and manner indicated self-esteem ;.
pride and determination. There was, too.
something Of the martinez about him
together with q fearlessness that amounted
to temerity at times. II We may judge from
the stories Of his friends and comrades.
That the young man had political convic-
tions different from those OF the average
army officer who means to fight for the flag
under all circumstances is pronounced very
doubtful That he had imbibed States
rights views OF the Constitution from text
books OF teachers at West Point Is in our
authors OF inion probably only a theory
Of later years.
We have dwet at some length on the first
chapter Of this biography because the
details OF Davis's early life ere COMPARE
lively little known. He resigned his COM
mission in the United States Army in June
1885, and Immediately thereafter elorsd
with the daughter Of Col. (afterward
President) Zachary Taylor. II was at this
time that his eldest brother, JOSEPH Davis,
gave him, in lieu Of some negroes left him
by his father, tract Of some thousand
acres adjoining his own estate. and lent him
money enough to buy ten slaves. In Sep
tsmber 1885 the first Mrs Davis died, and
eight years aftcrward Jefferson married
Miss Varina Howell Of VicksburE, the
granddaughter Of Gov. Howell OF New JeT-
sey. Her family had been conspicuous in
the Wing party, and, like the wife OF
George Washington, she could not at first
realize how a gentleman and a Democrat
could be united In the same ersOn. In the
end Davis probably proved a. much of an
aristocrst a. even a Howell could desire.
In Isti Davis was chosen Presidential
elector on the Polk and Dallas ticket, and
In the following year obtained a seat in
the House of Representatives. In Wash
ington Davis at once made friends with the
group OF leaders from the South Of whom
Calhoun vas the prophet. What the great
South Carolinian proposed appeared at
once expedisnt to Davis. Rhett and Yancey.
Our author thinks that In his first set speech
in Congress. although there was much of
the sophomore element In il. Davis mani
Tested some Of the larger views Of national
life and development which have been
persistently ignored by those who have
chronioled his career. He desired to cons
ciliate the North instead Of defying il.
as his Southern colleagues Rhett and
Yancey were eager to do. An abuse
already rooted in Washington received
the attention OF the young Mississippian
during his first term in the House. Internal
improvements for local purposes got at
his hands scant courtesy. He narrowly
-. - a. -
and harbor bills and declared that the
method OF log rolling" the nations money
into private or local pockets was unworthy
Of honorable man.
In June. is4o, Davis esigned his seat in
the House Of Representatives TO accept the
command Of the nrst regiment Of Rifles
enlisted in Mississippi for the Mexican war
IL is well known that the services rendered
by him during the ensuing contest. and
particularly at Monterey and Buena Vista,
reflected the highest credit upon him, con
sidered as q professional soldier Next ia
Zachary Taylor himself he was the hero Of
the operations in northern Mexico When
the term for which the Mississippi riFemen
had enlisted was about to expire Davis.
in pursuance OF his chiefs orders. marched
the remnant OF his command TO the harbor
near Port Isabel. where they took ship for
New Orleans. In the last named city and
all the way TO Vicksburg he received an
enthusiastic welcome. The wound in his
foot. however, suffered at Buena Vista
continued TO give him trouble for q year
or two, II was significant that he de-
chned a commission Of Brigadier- General Of
Volunteers offered him by President Polk
on the ground that the Federal Chief Magis-
trate had no authority to make such an
appointment.
Within two months after his return from
Mexico the Governor OF Mississippi desig-
mated Davis TO represent the State in the
United States Senate. TlSs Legislature met
soon afterward and elected him unani-
mously for the remainder OF an unexpired
term. All parties, including the stanchest
Wings, joined in honoring the brilliant
young Colonel Of the Mississippi Rifles
During the Polk administration Davis
broke with the South Carolina leaders. who
were themselves not united. and allied him.
self with Cass and others who espoused the
moderate measures Of the Cabinet Failing
TO enlist his Southern colleagues in favor
OF a common conservative programme he
took such a position as would appeal to
tne greater nuNDDeT Oh DtWOCEalS, NOElH
and South though in doing this he sacrificed
much Of what he thought ought to become
a part Of tho Democratic policy.
Whilo Davis had been an ardent nationalist
since the day Of his entrance With Robert J.
Walker uron the Polk CamraigD, he had
always acted upon the assumption that
slavery was fixed institution Of the South.
In a speech delivered in 1913 he made a
remarkable defence Of slavery. IF slavery
be a sin." he said. 1t is net yours. II doSs
not rest on your action for its origin. on
your consent for its existence. u is a
common lcw right to rro-erty IN the SER
vicc ~ man; its OIL gin vas Givine decree
the c,ir 70 urcn the eiaccIcss son OF Noah. -
Re then traced lat he thought hal been
tho history Of the Institution through
Srsin TO AmeI ca through the native tribes
and through Dutch and English traders.
IL vas in this sFeech that he fcTeshadowed
accession. After pointing out that con-
oessiOn has been ever the precursor Of
further aggression and that the sacrifices
made in earlier times by the South TO the
fraternity and tranquility OF the union had
como to be cited As presidents against her
rights. he said: IF the folly. and fanati-