Year: 1873

He Explains His Late Speech Made
Before the Southern Historical
Society.


Actuated by the great blow about


nothing that some of the papers were
getting off over the late speech of Mr..
Davis made before the Historical Con-
vention, ut Montgomery White Sulphur
Springs, an editor of the Memphis
Appeal called on him, and the follow
ing is how they talked the matter over:
Editor-I come, Mr.. Davis, in the
Interest of the public, who feel, and


must always feel, an interest in any
thing You say, or that concerns you, to
ask some questions relative to your


recent speech before the Southern His


torical Society mt the White Sulphur
Springs, Virginia. I do this because


mented upon by the Northern and


Southern press, and severely denounced


by many who have heretofore been


numbered among your friends and ad-


mirers, actuated to this, as they believe,


by the present condition of public feel
ing. This speech was not prepared nor
thought of, but was impromptu, as
understand it.


Mr.. Davis-Certainly, 1t was i'm
prOmptu. 1t was q reply made to an
address of welcome by the president of
the Historical Society of the ex- -Confed-
crates.


Editor-A political significance has
been given to this speech or short ad-
dress that you no doubt never intended,
removed as you arc from the politics Of
the day.


Mr.. Davis-It seems strange indeed
that a few remarks addressed to a few
friends and associates on subject upon
which between them and myself there
could be no diversity of opionion, with
the propriety of historical vindication
OF the cause and conduct of the Southern
people in the late war, should be regar-
ded as an address made to tho public
with any expectation of affecting polit-
ical opinion. But waving all questions
as to the character of the address, the
place where it was made and the Cir
cumstances under which it is was de-
livered, what is there in it to justify
criticism, or excite apprehension of evil
effect upon the efforts of those whose
political success I desire? The expres-
sion which is usually referred to is that
the Southern people have been more
"cheated than conquered" Now, is
this true or not? Did the Congress of
the United States by solemn resolutions
not assure the people of the South that
there was no purpose to interfere with
the institutions Of the States, that the
object was to preserve the Union, and
the purposes for which it was ordained
and established? Did not the Execu-
tive lMr. Lincoln) by proclamation
give like assurance to the people of the
States? Did not United States
Generals commanding departments en-
courage the same belief among the
people? And did not this lead to the
impression on the part of very many
that the war was waged for an abstrac-
tion, or at most for the preservation of
property in slaves? And was not the
frequent desertion in the
winter of 1s64-'65, and were not people
reluctant to furnish commissary sup
plies for the support of the (Confcderate)
armies? And was not all this the re-
suit IF the belief that their material in
terests and domestic peace might exist
as we'll under one government as the
other, as the result justified that belief?
Is there any we'll informed man who
will not say, that had the armies known
what n surrender would bring, that
they would and could have continued
the struggle, and that the people of the
country, as long as they had any food,
would have contributed it freely to the
support of the armies, and that the
contest would have continued until the
invader, weary of what might he re-
garded as an endless struggle, would
have retired, and, In the language of
General Scott, allowed the "crrins
sisters to go in peace?'


Editor-Of course you did not mean
by the use of the word scheat" to reflect
upon any of the officers who surrender
ed without communicating with you as
the Executive of the Confederacy: They
held out as long as they had troops and
munitions, and only gave up to over
whclming numbers and the pinchings
of poverty everywhere felt.


Mr.. Davis-Of course the idea con-


vcycd by the word "chcated" was that


the people of the South were deceived


by assurances given them by the United