Year: 1873

- .|.


An editor Of the Memphis Appeal


interviewed Mr.. Jefferson Davis last


week, in reference to his late speech


before the Southern Historical Soci-


ETY. at White Sulphur Springs, Va. We


reproduce the following:


Editor--Of course youdid not mean


BY the use Of the word "cheat" TO re-


fleet upon any of the officers who sur
rendered without communicating with
you as the executive Of the Confede-
racy? di sitsaa i.iE - ssl.ir t5 s7ci


Mr.. Davis-0f course the idea con-
yeyed by the word cheated" was that
the people of the South were deceived
by assurances given them BY the Unit
ed States Government, through its Of
ficials, into the belief that if they laid
down their arms they would be res
tored to all the advantages and priyi-
leges of citizenship which they had
previously enjoyed. The trials of a
long war had made all men desirous
for the ease of peace. Il was thus
alone that the word could be fairly
construed Men who had been reared
under the constitution of the United
States, and knew how almost entirely
their domestic interests were properly
under the control of their State gov
ernments, would naturally feel but lit
tie apprehension of the exercise Of
powers by the general government if
they believed that government would
be restrained within Its constitutional
limits. ti iIas -


Editor-Do youreally think that the
South could have prolonged the war
another year or two?


Mr.. Davis-They would have pro-
ionged the war by withdrawing more
into the interior so as to compel the
enemy to lengthen his lines Of commu-
nieatlon and it was the opinion of a
soldier, now no more, and on whose
judgment the greatest reliance was
placed, that in the mountains of Vir-l
ginia defensive war could have been
continued for twenty years.


Edltor-You are reported to have
said In the speech at White Sulphur


that the men of this day may yield
the principles for which they contend
ed, but the children who succeeded
them will cherish and perpetuate
them" This is by some construed in
to reflection upon those who have
participated in or have aided what we
term reconstruction"


Mr.. Davis-You will, no doubt, from
your familiarity with reports of re-
marks made in public, have perceived
that the publication is a mere sketch
of what was said. The remark to
which you call my attention was con-
nected with a compliment to the wo-
men of the South, whose patriotism
and adherence to the truth had been
proof against all the severe trials to
which the war had subjected them
And so hope was founded on the sup
position that. though my own sex might
give way to the necessities of the hour.
the mothers of the rising generation
would teach their children the princi-
pies for which..we had struggled, and
that thus they would be perpetuated,
and in some happier hour, pephaps, be
more successfully maintained than they
had been by ourselves. i have so Of
ten and so publicly said that no people
ever so well bore themselves under all
the tests of danger and privation, as
the men of the Confederate army. and
so deeply honor and admire them for
their gallantry and conduct, that I am
more than little surprised that any
other sentiment should be attributed
to me. fr.