The Rice belt journal. (Welsh, Calcasieu Parish, La.) 1900-19??, 1913-05-02

sffeJo7 UaIs5, J1lSf beToTe AAu
? died ~ "
in New Orleans, on the Alabama, for Brazos ST.
Iago, near Port Isabel in southeastern Texas. He
and his troops reached there Aug. 2, and were
encamped for some weeks OF hard drill such az
only West Pointer knows how to give, but when
at last they joined General Taylor they were pro-
nounced the best trained and most orderly volun'
teer troops in the army. 1t was remarkable
organization. Colonel Davis made reputa-
ton which transcribed that of any other officer
except General Taylor himself OF him the Mis-
sissippians at the front said IF the time OF our
regiment expires and our colonel even then
thinks we could be useful, there is not man In
his regiment who would not sacrifice his life 70
obey him. so much has his gallant conduct raised
him in their estimation The degree OF power,
his GOODNESS, courage and discretion have &C
uured for him in the army generally Is incred-
ible"
On Feb 22-3 1S47 Santa Ana approached the
American postion-a high plateau eight miles
south of Saltillo His army of 10000 men attack
ed General Taylors left. This was Colonel Da-
Wis celebrated stand which reported all over
the country. 1t had saved the day for General
Taylor.
The battle OF Buena Vista virtually closed the
war so far as the field Of General Taylor's opera.
tons was concerned.
few weeks after his return from Mexico, Col
onel Davis was appointed by the governor OF Mis-
sissippi to seat in the United States senate
vacated by the death of one of the state senator's
In December 1S47, he took his seat for the
first time in the United States senate, where hs
remained until 1851 when he resigned to take
part in the issues of Mississippi In 1852 he took
part in the campaign Of Franklin Pierce and in
March. 1853, became secretary of war. At this
time he was in excellent physical health, intel
lectually in his prime. and morally there was
rarely to be found a more commanding character
in the country.
In March 1867. Mr. Davis re-entered the senate
This was during the administration OF Mr.. Blu
chanan--durng part Of the time Mr.. Davis was
seriously ILL., and at the close Of the session, 1853,
he made visit to the New England states, be-
ing received everywhere with the highest marks
of courtesy and popular esteem.
Mr. Davis when aroused, was master Of ora
tory of which he gave brilliant displays in the
senate and on the hustings indeed there were
occasions when he arose to the majestic. and
caused the minds Of his hearers to revert to SINH
lar appeals OF Rienzi and Demosthenes. In the
memorable debates in the senate 859-1861-he
bore conspicuous and commanding part His
speeches of this period exhibit anxious premo-
milton of the impending rupture and when Mis-.
sissippi not as a matter OF choice, but of neces-
sity, resolved to secede and the southern sena
tors took formal leave of their colleagues. what
pen should depict their anguish? Mr.. Davis had
passed sleepless night, due to the pressing re-
sponsibility of his course. as well as to illness
Nevertheless he appeared in his accustomed place
The floor halls and galleries were thronged with
earnest spectators as they had been only or
great occasions, when the voices of Webster ant
Clay had resounded. Amid profound silence Mr.
Davis arose to bid his adieu-the whole worlt
knew that 1t was too late for aught else. HI
spoke In simple chaste English devoid Of flowers
of rhetoric, but In such sorrowful and convincins
manner that many tear fell upon cheeks unac
customed to the moisture of emotion. It was no
difficult for that generation to understand thu
principles which aetuated him.
The convention OF Mississippi, after ordanins
the withdrawal of the state from the Union, ha.
adopted an ordinance providing for the levy OF
force of 10000 men and comforting the chief com
mand upon Mr.. Davis, with the rank OF majo
general This he accepted and FASTENED hom
from Washington to make arrangements for rails
ing and organizing the troops. It was his destn,
to enact part yet more conspicuous than hithel
to In the saddest drama of modern history War
the greatest OF modern wars. the greatest in som
respects known in the history OF the huma
race" 1t lasted four years and little over
marked throughout by sanguinary conflicts wit
heroic exploits on both sides. all Of which hay
been duly chronicled In proper place. When MI
Jefferson Davis. after short illness, died in Me-
Orleans Dec 8. 1889, North and South East an
West recognized the fact that "a great soul ha
passed away He was borne to his temporar
tomb in Metairie cemetery by the governors
nine states, and during the winter following til
legislatures of the South held formal memori.
sessions. Never was more universal homage re,
dered to departed chieftain Four years late
by request OF the people Of Richmond Va. an
OF the South generally. his remains were remove
to HOLLYWOOD cemetery and given final sepultur
In Richmond the people collected from all part
OF the country and listened to fond eulogies
men who had known him best. A fitting statr
was erected to his memory representing him
the full vigor OF mature manhood, as cavalr
commando.