The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1908-06-03

\ scene III hiN nrrcSt.-FrOul Sketcn III!
I Charlcston Democratic Convention In
lApril, and upon which after the with
drawal Of the Southern delegations, the
/ presidential ticket of Breckinridge and
Lane was nominated, and supported n
the ensuing canvass. receiving the elec-
toral votes OF eleven States of tho
/ South.
Effect OF Linc6in's Election.
I Tho disruption of the Democratic
( party, as had inevitably been foreseen,
4 was followed by the election OF Abra-
ham Lincoln N November. 1860, az
4 President of the United states.
! Mr.. Davis was a firm believer In alb
solute sovereignty of the States. and of
the enjoyment by the states OF all the
attributes Of sovereignty, including
necessarily the right OF secession. He
had never urged the c.pediency of Sc
cessloa. though upon repeated occasions
! he had foreshadowed It's probable neces-
sity in the future as the only remedy
ire,naining to the South IN certain con-
Itingencies. Yet this course was entire
lily directed in the interest Of modera-
/ ton. Regarding Il long and bloody
war certain result OF dissolution.
; he anXiously sought to avert It, and
stood pledged to any basis of settle
mcnt which should guarantee the safety
and honor Of the South. AT no time,
however. did he advocate submission.
/ Altar the failure of the Crittenden
compromise, which for a time promised
La satisfactory basis of settlement Mr..
Davis remained in the Senate friend
tof peace, and until the last moment
;laboriag for adjustment when lie re
! ceived the summons of Mississippi
tforbidding the longer exercise OF the
trust which she had given to his keep
ling. The state seeded on the 9th u
January. 1861. Mr.. Davis, receiving
\ formal announcement OF the event.
4 withdrew on the 21st His farewell ad-
/ dress to the Senate is well known as
4 one of the most impressive and elo-
lauent valedctories ever listened to- It's
j dignified courteous and statesmanlike
character had challenged the unquai.-
fled eulogy of the enlightened world.
Il Mr.. Davis returned within q few days
To his residence in Mississippi. The
Il state was not unmindful OF the neces-
sity o. preparation for war. which
Twas extremely probale. and Mr. Davis
!! was at once honored by the appoint
4 ment to the command of the state
! militia. with the rank OF ma ior- gen
4 eral.
i Confederate state. OF America.
Before, however. he could assume
= the new responsibilities which the
| State had imposed upon him, the voice
!. of millions invoked his guidance OF
their destinies in the hazardous eNper:-
men, OF independent national existence.
Secession was rapid in It's progress.
4 Representatives of the Southern
Il States met in convention at Montgom-
cry, Ala. on the 4ti of February, 1861.
for the purpose OF forming provis-
ional government. On the Sth OF Feb
ruary this body adopted Constitution
, and proclaimed an addition to the FAM
lily of nations under the title OF The
i Confelerate States of America" The
next day the Congress announced is
:. choice of the two highest constitutional
officers of the new government: Pres!-
dent Jefferson Davis. of Mississippi;
/ Vice Pres ident, Alex. II. Stephens, Of
Georgia.
{ There can be no doubt that in this
selection OF the President of the Con-
federacy the new Congress ratified .he
Iprevious choice of the South. who al
{ most unanimously regarded Mr.. Dali:
!, as the man best fitted for the position
by ability. character, and political and
military experience. The new govern.
/ ment in the Incidents attending i.s
, construction and setting In operation
fully vindicated the earnest and con.
scientious convictions Of the people wht
/, called 1t into existence.
!, Along the route to Montgomery, Mr.
:. Davis was greeted with every possible
!, demonstration of patriotic enthusiasm
: and personal regard. Arriving there
he was inaugurated with a simplicity
:, of ceremony an absence of personal In.
:, flation and degree Of popular joy
= which we'll befitted the formal asser.
! ton of true Republican liberty, equally
u protected against the license of mobs
and the usurpation of tyrants.
J. War PrOcla nations.
, President Lincoln's proclamation O
: war against the seeded States wa!
, issued April 18th, within forty-eigh
bloodless artillery duel at Sumter lat
). been flashed over the country.
J The war proclamation and the cal
for rs, 900 men to coerce the Cotto,
I States brought Virginia into heart.
!. sympathy with the Confederacy. Sh
. assumed the robe Of leadership ant
peril for those immortal principles o
which her soil was the nursery, art
= her illustrlous sons the champions. Vir
:. glnia seeded April "a 1861. Joining the
y Confcderacy tho succeeding May 9th
J coin declaring war upon the Confed
: crate States was promptly Responded
u to by President Davis. He at one
y called upon the various States TO
y quotas of volunteers for the public de
Tense, BY public proclamation he in
: vited applications for privatcerlng scr
n vice, in which armed vessels Nigh
7. assist in the public defense on til
/ high seas under letters of marque an
reprisal granted by Congress. Presiden
n Davis appreciated the immense valu
J. to the South OF privateers.
II transferred to Richmond.
y Transferring the seat Of the Confed
q crate government to Richmond short
- ly after the secession of Virginia, tn
II city presented to the government tn
d Fhnndsome old Crenshaw residence. q
II the corner of Twelfth and Clay Streets
q ms the white House Of the Confed
eracy," while tho sessions of the Con
IS rederate Congress We're held In til
lie Virginia state Capitol, the variou
10 departments OF the new government
.. being scattered In nearby buildings,
t. NYarned while at worship In st. Paul
lelchurch Of theeyncuation Of Peterrs'ihs ,,