The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1908-06-03
WAS HERO IN TWO WARS
CONTINUED from E'ourth Pagr.)

y
which he unhesltatingly declined on
the ground that no such commission
could be conferred by Federal author.
ity or by act OF Congress. He con-
sidercd 1t to be an infrnction of the
rights OF the state to which respec-
lively the Constitution reserves the APP
pointment Of officers OF ale militia.
AZ n Member OF the Scnntc.
Scarcely two months had elapsed
since his return to mississippi when
Colonel Davis was appointed in Au-
gust. 1871. by the Governor Of the
State to I'll the vacancy in the United
States Senate accustomed by the death
Of General Speight At the ensuing ses-
sion Of the Legislature the selection
Of Mr.. Davis as Senator was on Jan
nary II, s4S, confirmed by his unani-
nous election for the remainder OF
the unexpired term. II was the CRATE
full tribute OF popular appreciation to
the hero who had rlsked his lie for.
the glory Of the country. and tho
worthy recognition OF abilities which
mad been proven adequate TO the re-
sponsiblitics Of highest civil trust. Tho
ontire period Of his service In the
senate from 1871 to 1851. and from
1857 to 1861. comprises about eight
years but these were years of mo-
mcntous interest to the American peo-
pie.
The settlement known by thcrway Of
distinction az the Compromise Of
$780, averting for the time the dan
gers of disunion and civil war, met
the approval of the advocates of eX-
pediency. but was opposed with heroic
pertinacity By Mr.. Davis and his assoc
cIates OF the States Rights party. They
saw the holiowness of It's pretended
Justice. it's utter worthlessncss as a
Mt m hn \, nd III n
ti3feat it--first in Congress and after
wards By the popular voice. But the
sentiment of attachment TO the Union
triumphed over every consideration Of
interest. principle. even securty, and
the snare succeeded.
Jefferson Davis was never u dis
nnionist. His action at all times nal
been consistent with his declared
opinions, aud with the earnest attach
inent to the Union declared in his con-
grcssional speeches and his public adj
dresses everywhere. During the CAM
paign Of 1852, Mr.. Davis made can
ynss in Tennessee, Mississippi and
Louisiana for General Franklin Pierce,
with whom he held tho most friendly
relations, and IN whose constitutional
opinions he had entire confidence. His
support of the Baltimore platform was
quite as consistent as his support of
elected President indicated his csti-
mate OF Davis By prompt tender of
n Cabinet position. which was reluc-
family declined. The President-cIect
then requested him to be present at
his Inauguration, and when he reached
washington the offer of Cabinet
place was repeated. The obvious adj
vantage Of representation in the gov
eminent of the States Rights party,
by prominent Southern statesmen, at
length overcame his personal desire,
md he accepted the position OF Secrc-
tary of War.
AS Secretary of War.
With the policy Of President Pierces
administration Mr.. Davis was. OF
course, fully Identified. In a Cabinet
noted for Its ability, of which William
l.. Marcy was Premier, and Caleb Cush-
ing the Attorney-Generai Secretary
Davis occupied a position worthy OF
his abilities and peculiarly gratifying
to his military tastes. He made many
ical alterations in the military system
of the country. one of the first being a
recommendation for the thorough re-
vision OF the army regulations.
During the Crimean War, Secretar,
Davis sent a commission. OF which
Captain Mcclellan. afterwards a major
general, was a member to the Criinea
to study and report upon the science
Of war and the conditions of European
armies as illustrated in the operations
Incident to that struggle The presi-
Dental term OF Pierce expired on the
4th Of March, 1857. and with it tcrmi-
mated the connection OF Mr.. Davis with
The executive branch OF the govern.
ment Shortly before that time lie
was elected by the Legislature of Mis-.
sissippi to the United states Senate
for the term beginning March 4. 1857
md expiring in 1863.
During the Thirty ninth Congress
which assembled in December. 1859
Mr.. Davis was the recognized leader OF
the Democratic majority in the sen
ate. His efforts We're during this SEES
sion probably the ablest of his life
and never did his great powers Of
analysis and generalization appear tt
greater advantage.
Showing South's Position.
On the I'd day OF February, 1851
Mr.. Davis offered a series Of sever
resolutions, which embodied the view:
of the administration. Of an over
whelminG majority of the Democratic
members of the Senate. and or I'M
Southern Democracy. and were op
posed by Mr.. Douglas. MI. Iush ain
BY the abolition Senator's
The first resolution affirmed the
sovereignty of the States, and thel
aelegation OF authority to the Fedora
government, to secure each stat
against domestic, no less than foreign
dangers. This resolution was design
I'd with special reference to the re
cent outrages of John Brown and nj
associate conspirators, several OF Whon
had expiated their crimes on the gal
lows at the hands of the Virginia au
thorities. ..,, ~
recognition Of slavery as property =
ire Constitution, and that all effort
TO inture it by citizens OF nonsla :, :
holding States We're violations OF faitt
,rhird insisted on tho ansolut
equality OF the States.
Eourth, "Resoved, That neither Con
.ress nor territorial Legislature
whether y by direct Legislation or le e !,
intlon OF an indirect and untrlendl
character, possesses power TO amend
,mnalr the constitutional right OF an
citizen Of the United States 10 TAN
.,,onart>, info the COrllmO