The evening herald. [volume] (Albuquerque, New Mexico) 1914-1922, 1915-06-01


president Of the confedcracy and aa
"A prisoner after the war between the
states with such varied and
wide experience" said General
Green, his character at all times
exemplined gentlencss and unseinsh-
ness. lie was unassuming and rig
idly truthful, combining ufe OF pa
triotism. nobility and sincerity with
an honest desire 20 serve HIS fellow
man. which challenges the worlds
admiration.
Having served IN public life more
than thirty consecutive years until
1891 found him with the highest hon
ors his state could bestow Ca United
States seaatorl there was nothing
more he could wish. and yet nj the call
of duty, the voice Of his state. he laid
aside his honors voluntarily In order
To serve his peoples interest. he
vas not at any time a secessionist.
lie urged on all occasions forbear-
ancc and patience when political
wrongs we're hcaped upon the south.
but when his state passed the ordl-
nance OF secession he rendered his
resignation as senator, choosing
rather 10 take HIS lot with his own
people as private citizen. Mr.. pa
viz never gave up the hope OF a sat
lsfaciory compromise until the firat
sun had been fred. He contended
that a guarantee of equal rights uD-
der thcNconstitution would restore the
union Immediately"
The speaker mentioned that after
Mr.. Davis returned TO Mississippi
from Washington. the governor as
signed him To command all the mill
itary forces of the state. and on Feb
rUary .. 1851 he WAS unanimously
elected president OF the provisional
government of TIE Confederate States
OF America.
Mr.. Davis regarded the confcder-
ate constitution a model Of wisdom
and liberal statoamanship." said
General Green. "and as bia election
vas unanimous he accepted, though
he greatly preferred active military
service. he was Ia no sense a candi-
date for the presidency and was
greatly disappointed that he had
crnmcnt having expired FeOruary 90,
1889. the confederate congrcss re-
elected Mr. Davis to the presidency.
General Green referred To Davis
conduct OF affairs of the confcderucy.
OF his efforts on behalf of the soldiers
of the south and on behalf Of the
prisoners OF war OF both the north
and the south, OF the removal Of Mr..
Davis and his cabinet from RichmonC
To points farther south. as the Union
forces closed about them, and OF the
receipt by Davis of news OF tha sur
render of the confederate generals.
AZ washington. Georgia. Mr.
Davis received the first official infor-
nation OF the surrender of General
Joseph T.. Johnston continued the
speaker "iie as once ordered the
secretary OF war To pay OF the sell
diors and dismissed all OF his military
escort. asking for only ten volunteers
to accompany him. lie formally
dissolved his cabinet and told each
member 10 look out for his own
safety MIR. Davis intended 20 go
west and cross the Chattahoochoe and
attempt 20 fall In with troops In Ala
hama aud SO cross the Mississippi
and Join General r., X. Smith and
continue the war on that side OF the
river with the ultimate purpose that
the seceded states should return TO
the United states with all rights OF
the states unimpairod.
Three days after leaving wash
ington Mr. Davis found his family
cncampcd With small wagon train
and travelled several days with them.
lie stiii Intended to cross the Mis-
sissippi He had his horse saddied
one nighi and he laid down 9. rest
shortly before dawn. soon afterward
his negro coachman reported 20 him
thai he heard firing nearby. Mr..
Davis left his tent. and saw some
union cavalrymen. His wife urged
him to escape. Ills horse was hitch
ed near By A. u was stili dark he
picked up IN the tent what ne
thought WIS his raincoat. aud later
found IL was his wife's. Mrs. Davis
threw shawl over his shoulders 90
protect him from the cool morning
air. He had advanced from the tent
out a few steps when he was ordered
20 halt. Mr.. Davis threw on the rain
coat ana shawl and advanced upon