The Union times. [volume] (Union, S.C.) 1894-1918, 1916-06-02
MISS RUTH COHEN
WINS SECOND PLACE.
Continued from page u

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the 4th grade when history was
brought forth as new object of in
terest to me, among the illustrations
was an imaginative sketch of the
birthplace of Abraham Lincoln. We
have no sketch of the birthplace of
Davis. Though it means but little the
thought is large. When his name is
spoken the faces around me become
serious as if solving some problem. A
writer in beginning sketch of Davis
life, placed the following words as
the prelude:
"To speak kindly of Jefferson Davis
even half century after the events
which he helped to bring about is an
exceedingly risky thing"
Why this? Because an innocent
man has been picked out as a con-
spicuous individual and made to bear
the burdens of shame and guilt for
the great calamities which have come
as the result of general SHINING.
In 1843 Davis emerged from his
seven years of study as candidate
for the State legislature of Missis-
sippi on the Democratic ticket from a
Whig constituency. He was even
ready to debate with the great Ser
geant Prentiss, which was, however,
forced upon him. Even though he
was not a successful candidate the
reputation which he won pointed him
out to the "boss" of the State. Rob
ert J. Walker, 1s43, brought to him
the honor of being the representa-
tive for presidential elector. Now his
slender, angular form became known
to the people of Mississippi. Voting
for the successful candidate prompted
his parry to give him favorable seat
in the senate. He was a follower OF
Calhoun just as Calhoun had been a
disciple of Jefferson. He (Davis) was
essentially an aristocrat but was a
Democrat in politics representing the
interests of the lower South. From
the beginning he was an active MEM
ber in congress.
A we'll known writer classes the
Mississippi of 1914 as the South Car
olina of 1912. A very wise politician
in the senate was Robert j. Walker of
Mississippi. Among his co-workers
was Jefferson Davis. The greatest
wish of Walker and his co-workers
was the annexation of Texas. The re-
suit was war with Mexico.
When the war broke out Davis re-
signed his seat in congress to become
leader of the Mississippi Rifles.
Throughout the war he rendered dis
tinguished service, and for honors at
Monterey and Buena Vista was Of
fered the position of brigadier gen.
eral but declined.
Honors were CROWN gon bushes.
Governor Brown appointed him sena-
tor to fill the then vacant seat; his
ambitions were realized, he was young,
flushed with victory and just begin
ming his life as political leader.
What was the secret? He wove his
character into his work and it came
out glorious success.
Davis had distinct opinions of his
own, perhaps this was the result of
his seven years study and his broth
er's influence. 1t need not be eX-
planned that his most important work
was to formulate distinctly the south
ern position with reference to slavery.
He admired Calhoun, but in many
ways their points and views differed.
Moreover, Calhoun's policy was con-
sidered the wisest. He argued in
favor of the restoration Of Mexico and
annexation of Ne wMeXico and Cali
fornia, realizing the struggle which
would ensue over the vast territory on
the slavery question. Davis, on the
other hand. said that the allowance of
West and South as slave States would
insure against dangers of the aboli-
tionists and promote the deeper inter-
ests of the South.
The new president (Taylor), though
the father-in-law of Davis, proclaimed
California a free State. Davis was
bitterly disappointed; he was making
mental resolutions of never becoming
political leader when Pierce appoint
ed him secretary of war (1852).
At the head of this department his
actions were most successful. No
ADLER man could have been chosen
from the South nor served with more
enthusiasm. Tall, upright, slender,
manly with bulging gray eyes that
pierced into the heart of things; ir-
regular but strong features and a
spare man of forty years of age. He
was not physically strong and was
known to have often arisen from a
sick bed to render long and difficult
speech. He seldom walked about
Washington during his eight years.
residence there just preceding the
Civil war, but everybody knew him
and everybody liked him. Davis did
much to improve and enlage the de-
partment of the army and built ar
aqueduct to bring water into the dis
trict of Columbia. Also a suitable
route was provided for the Pacific
railway. His efforts were not in vain
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