Abbeville press. (Abbeville, S.C.) 1860-1869, July 13, 1866, Image 1

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I ?r. / / U?LJ|. ?!! . . _L. "Mgasi II 'I .. . I IJl" I I ^ | | ^ u._l .1. HI _J11J .Ml.. ,^XILJ1_ BY W. A. LEE AND HUGH WILSON. ABBEVILLE, S. C., FRIDAY, JULY 13, 180G. VOLUME XIV. NO. 13. JEFFERSON DAVIS IN ^RttON. Mr. Craven has done the cause of humanity a service, Mid afforded the world a satisfaction in his narrative of President Davis> prison life. We make a few extracts from this book?relating more to tho sayings of Mr. DaVia thfch his sufiorings?for the entertainment of our readers. They will be found deeply interesting and replete with practical good sense, philanthropy and wisdom. First, we lay before 'our reader: ^4B. &AVI8* REMARKS ABOUT RICHMOND tola 8&STIMBST8 TOWAROB CITIZENS. September 11.?Called on Mr. Davis. Told him, as he was well, I was about starting that Jay for Richmond, to be gone about a wcok, ami would he happy to carry any social uioasages he might wi??h to send any friends in that city. Mr. Davis asked me to call upon his former pastor, the Rev. Dr. Minuigerode, rector of St. Paul's; also, upon other friends, giving me their nanieB, who would be glad to receive rne. He requested me to make his afflictions in prison appear as light as possible, for they had Biiflicieut troubles of their own without borrowing more from his misfortunes. lie also said Richmoad had been n very beautiful city in the days gone by, but what with years of military operations and the fire, he feared its appearance must .1 i. . * ?l do greatly auereo. v^n, me anxious momenta I have spent iu that city !'' exclaimed Mr. Davis. "Cares that none can un dcrstand who have not been called to fill the ficet positions of responsibility io revo- j luLionary times. What hopes and fears, tried by ouemies without and murrmirors or mutineers within, though of the latter there were comparatively few. Taking all they suffered in view, my dear people tooJ Grm and upheld ray hands with a devotion and unanimity for which I can nev er bo too grateful. God bless them, one and all, and grant them the sustaining influence of Hie grace." Mr. Davis epoko the last sentence with great fervor, his thin hands clapped and toars brimming up in his eyes, though not allowed to run over. It wan in such moments that his face, though not handsome, judged by any artistic standard, became very striking and nobis in the delicate expression of its intellectual power and fervor. Septembfr 22.?Called on Mr. Davis ljr the first time since returning from Richmond. Mr. Davis inquired about friends in Richmond, askintr. with a smile, was hn still remembered there or whether it had been found convenient to erase his name from the tablets of memory? Assured him that his friendB appeared most Bolicitoua for his welfare, especially the Indie?, who had overwhelmed my wife with attention during our brief visit, as the only means of expressing their gratitude for any alleviation of his Bituatioo which my duty as his medical attendant had imposed. Told him the destruction from the fire had been groat, but in less Iban two years the city would have retrieved a prosperity not only equalling, but surpassing any it bad y?t known. Overlooking Richmond from tbe top of Gamble's Hill, the clamor of trowels and hammers everywhere resounded beneath me, and it seemed like an enormous bee-hive, so incessant was the industry. Mentioned that General Terry, my old oommander, had kindly plaoed the carriage of Mr. Davis at my disposal during the visit, and that I bad visited, with much interest, and not without sympathy, the beautiful ground of Hollywood Ceme tery, where General J. E. B. Stuart and so many other distinguished officers of the Southern army -now lie in graves, not nameless indeed, but as yet with no induriqg monuments. Mr. Davis laughed about his carriage, and said that since some "Yankee" had to ride in it, he would prefer ray doing so to another. During the war they had no time to build monuments to the lllastrious dead?scarcely time enough or means enough to take care for the wounded living. If their cause bad been nioecasful, the gratitude of a new nation would have built splendid mausoleums and tronhuM ?i? L.J i?. ? . khu uhu tost meir nve? ?n founding it; but with the failure of the cause this doty of piety and gr&titode must bow devolve on private associations of patriotic gratitude. Q?n. Jackson (^Stone"vrall") appeared to have some lively preeentiment of death ahortly before its occurrence, and had asked tint hit only monument might be a. battle-flag hoiated over hie grave until such times as the cause for whioh he fought was crowned with victory and secure from^ggreaaion. Speaking of a message of condolence and cbeor the Rev. Dr. Minnigerodo had sent J him, Mr. Davis ejvda; in warm terms of the learning, zeal, eloquence, fidelity and 'Christian cournge of that gentleman. General liee had occupied a pew in tho same church, aud, unless when absent unavoidably in the public service, was one of the most regular and devout attendants. Qeneral Leo was undoubtedly one of tho greatest soldiers of tho age, if not tho very greatest of this or any other country ; but had ho drawn his eword on tho Federal aide, must have been remitted to ob-. scurity under their system, in iho Grst 6ix j I .1 . < .1 muiiuia 01 me war. rooming, uowevor, shook tho confidence of military men competent to form n just opinion in his Fupc- j rior qualifications for high command, ami j his career had nobly vindicated the calm estimate of professional judgment. Sei'tembkii 23.?Recurring to my Rich-^ mond visit, Mr. Davis mado many minute j inquiries relative to former friends ; tho ap- J paron'. condition of the tradea-peoplo in re- j gard to prosperity ; the social relatious, if! any were allowed, between the occupying' army and tho inhabitants. He Raid his: people, having done all their duty in the war had now tho two duties of forgetting tho past and preparing to accept the future. woo oi lueir great troubles in agricultural districts must bo the difficulty of getting animals?horses, mules and oxen having been so nearly swept away by tho war. With nothing to report in the past but its failure it-i consequences should be acoepted in good faith and without a murmur. The future is always under tho control of resolute men ; and with influx of Northern and European capital?which must soon bo tempted by the pro-abundant natuial resources in tho South?thoro could bo no reason why naturnl prosperity should not bo fully re established within halt'ado/.en years; that is, if tho Federal Govern ment pursued a wise and generous course* allaying irritation nnd diverting the minds of the people from their unsuccessful sacrifico9, by pointing out and encouraging ihe splendid reward* of industry. The following extract is alike remarkable for its truth and beauty : FF.MAI.K LECTURICKS? AND TUR TUCK MISSION or WOMAN*. Mr. David referred to some remark o( i Miss Anna Dickinson, hostile himself, which he had seen in the papers; also re- 1 calling what he had heard of the lady's honoring Fortres Muuroe with her prnscnce some six weeks before?he supposed to dc? 1 rive ner inspiration from an actual view of 1 his casemate, or possibly to catch a secret 1 view of him though the admiring favor of * Gen. Miles, or some smitten officer. lie lia I noticed that Miss Dickinson had Gg- ' ured largely upon the lecturing stage, and had undeniable talent, but the talent rather of a MicnaJ or Pythoness than moat of the mild virgins who worshiped Vesta and 1 kept the fires of faith and charity forever 1 burning on her pure altars. Woman's ap- I pearance in the political arena was a de- 1 parturo irom the golden path which nature had marked out for her. The male animal was endowed with more than sufficient belligerency for all purposes of healthy agitation ; and woman's part in the social economy as she has been made beautiful and gentle, should be to soothe asperities rather than deepen and make more rough the cross tracks ploughed in the road of life by the diverging passions and opinions of men. It was a revolutionary age: transportations and novelties ware the fancies of the day, and woman on the political rostrum was only an outcropping of the ' disorganized and disorganizing ideas now 1 in control of the popular mijid. The clam- < or of certain classes of woman for admis- ' sion to the professions and employments 1 heretofore engrossed by men wbb another 1 phase of the same malady. They deman- 1 ded to be made self supporting, forgetful 1 that their most tender charm and safest ar- ' raor lay in holplessness. Woman's office j embraoed the sweetest and holiest duties of 1 suffering humanity. Her true altar is the 1 happy fireside, not the forum with its foul ' breath and distract Lag calm ore. Pbysi- ? callv unable to defend themselves from in- 1 jury or insult, their weakness is ft claim 1 whirl) thn man ntn.i ? ?1 - ' ??muov uc uiiusriy utoc wno * disregards. The highest test of oiriliza- ( tion is the deference paid to women. They 1 are like the beautiful tinea of the (Booth, * winding aroiwd the ragged forest and ' clothing them with beauty; hat let them 4 attempt living apart bom thia suppoft? and 1 they rtill eooa trail along the ground, in * muddy and trampled impurity. While woman depends >? man for everything, : man's love aooepts, and"hi* generosity can _J * -x never <lo enough (o discharge the delicious and aacred obligations; but let woman enter into the ruder employments of life &9 man's rival, and she pusses herself as a slave under those inexorable laws of trade which are without sex or sentiment. Perhaps in one brunch of medicine there might appear a fitness in her claim to matriculation : but evon in that branch eirtiitmqinn ces of suddon difficulty and danger were of every day occurrence, requiring the steadier nerves, cooler judgment, and quicker action of a medical man to deal with. If naked for his aubliruest ideal of what women should he in time of war, he would point to the de.ir women of his people as lie had soon tliein during the recent struggle. The Spartan mother sent forth her ( hoy, bidding him return with honor, cither tarrying his shield or on it. The women of the South sent forth their son9, directing ihem to return with victory ; to return with wounds disabling them from further servicc, or never to return at all. All thev J bad was flung into the contest?beauty, grace, passion, ornament; the excellent frivolitios so dear to tho sex wero cast aside; their songs, if they had any to *ing, were patriotic; their trinkets were flung :nto tho public crucib le ; tho carpet from their floors were portioned out as blankets to the suffering soldiers of their cause; women bred to every refinement of luxury wore homespuns made by their hands; when materials for an army balloon were wanted, their chest silk dresses were sent in, and thero was only competition to secure their acoeptance. As nurses of the sick, as en? oouragers and providers for tbe combatants, as angels of charity and mercy adopting as meir own an cmiuren made orphans in defence of their borne?, as pationt and benutiful household deities, accepting every sacrifice with unconcern, and lightening the burdens of war by every art, blandishment, and labor to their sphere, tho dear women of his peoplo deserved t.o take rank with Uio highest heroines of the grandest days of the greatest countries. Talking furlher upon woman, Mr. Davis stated bis belief (hat when women proved unfailhful to their marriage vow9 it will in almost every instance be found the husband's fuult. Men throw tbeir wives, or allow them to bo thrown, into the companionship of male associates whom tboy know to be dissolute; neglect them while the illicit lover pays every attention, and then grow angry at the result of their own fcvll.. T. .1-:- - - vouamnl luiljr. *b la dllUCr 11115, OT IU31 1110 man haschosuu, without sufljcient inquiry, f) woman whose unfitness for the relations of wife might have been readily asoertainail. No woman will err i( treated properly by a husband worthy of the naine; b-iL she is the weaker vessel, and must be protected. THE POMCT OF CONCILIATION, In the better days of the liomau eralire, when its possessions inoreased, and conquered countries came in a few years to >e integral and even zealous members of he imperial system, it was the policy of conciliation, following that of military conquest, which achieved the desired remits. Certain laws and restrictions of the [ipperinl Government were imposed?so much annual tribute, so many legion* to >ur military levies, and obedience to all mch laws of the central government at may be issued for vour o.nnirnl n?? vithin these lines, and with these points conceded, the empire strove in all minor ?nd domestic matters to conform in 10 far is might be possible to the former habits, :u?toms, and laws of the people absorbed, ind the independent governments supersailed. Eren their peculiarities of morals, rnannera, and religious views were studied ind respected when not conflicting with the necessities of the empire; their leading men were justly treated, and no efforts were spared to make the new order of .hinge bit lightly at first, and even pleatsnty in a few years, on the neoks of the cubogated provinces. Generosity is the true policy* both of nations and individuals. There is that maketh himself rich, yet iath nothing; there is, that maketh him10U poor, yet bath great rich el." White ny people are held as conquered subjects, .hey must be to you a continued source of expense and danger^?a country penned together with bayonets. Let the past be exponged, K you please; we have nothing /o blush for in it, and qothing to regret iqt jauqr0. oeoewitiet of tb? North>rn Trewurj sod public debt, Mr. DtvU hoqgbt, "would before Ipag, compel a? to lo justice to tbie ?eotioq.'' TOpBWAIX JAOftlOK. :Qf Stonewall Jncktoo. Mr. Devi* ipoln with the utmost t?q,^erp?t| eorpo totjofi ? S ' > ' " ' f ' ,o*- . . jt-rv. 'L' ?l of reverential feeling, bearing witness to bis earnest and pathetic piety, his singleness of aim, hia immense energy as an ere cutive officer, and the loyalty of his nature, funking obedience the first of nil duties. "He rose every morning at three," said Mr. Davis, "performed his devotions for half an hour, and then went booming along at the head of hi* command, which came to be called '.'Jackson's foot cavalrv." from the Telocity ol their movement?. He had the faculty, or rather gift, of excitiug and holding the love confidence of hi* men to an unbounded degree, even though the charaoter of hid campaigning imposed on them more hardships than nny other troops in tho service. Good soldiers care not for their individual sacrifices when ado quale results can bo shown; and these General Jackson never lacked. Hard fighting, hard inarching, hard fare, the strictest discipline?all these men will bear if visibly approaching the goal of their hopo9. They want to got douo with the war, back to thoir homes and families ; and their instiuct soon teaches thern which commander is pursuing the right means to accomplish these results. Jackson was a singularly ungainly man nn horsoback, 1 I I ' - mm uau iiiuuy jieciuinruieB or temper, amounting to violent idiosyncrasies; but everything in his nature, though here and there uncouth, was noble. Even in the heart o| action, when most exposed, he might be seen throwing up hia hands in prayer. lfor glory he lived long enough," continued Mr. Davis with much emotion, "and if this result had to come, it was the Divine mercy that removed him. He fell like the eagle, his own feather on the shaft that was dripping with bis life-blood. In his death the Coafsderacy lost an eye and an arm, our only consolation being that | the final summons could have reached no soldier more prepared to accept it joyfully. Jackftoq wa? not of A sanguine turn, always privately anticipating the worst, that the butter might bo moro welcomo. MB. DAVIS OW FENIAS'HM?niQULY IMPORTANT?IJI9 VIEW3 OP RECONSTRUCTION1. The present Fenian movements for Ireland was a farce to make angels weep. The last attempt wasinl823. when the population of Ireland was more than a million larger?the movement originating at home, and all Europe in a convulsive and volcanic condition. I|istory gavo no example of an oppressed raee that had accepted exilo returuine with success to lihflr*t? Mi?Ir n*. live land. Tbe aristocrati j refugees of the French Revolution indeed got back to their country, but only tinder the swords of a combination in which England, Austria, Russia, Prussia, and the German States were enlisted, with their whole military re> source. It wa? a more catoh-penny clamor of designing demagogues in its cis-At lantic aspect; nor could he see that in Ireland there was an organization of even a vigorous purpose to accomplish the object proposed. England's control of the seas was absolute, at least so near home, against any less combination than the navies of France and America. To land men in any sufficient quantity in IreUnd would require some desperate s8a-fights by nary with naanJ . C w j j QUU 9 ?i^i|opv(a wuouijjj iur reawip and tbeir equipmsnts not less than tome hand read miU'ons. The men engaged in tbia must be either fool* or rogues. He bad no special cause to love England, nor dislike; but suoh impracticable and pigmy threatening* of ber empire would be ludi* crous if not too sad. Against the rocks of her coast tbe storm clouds of a thousand fold the Fenian power had dashed with clamor of wa?es and mist of spray, bnt next morning the sun shona bright again, tho air was oalm, and only in a shore ftlMirh Vl()i mronUa U* ~ww<mvwmm ? ofW^vvvum ?va\*OUW UQ 1UUUU of any past oomraotion. Asking Mr. Davit what were his views in regard to the reconstruction of tho Union, he spoke pretty nearly verbatim as follows; this report not being condensed as with other conversations, but taken down in foil from memory, immediately on return to my quarters t "We could not otherwise define reconstruction than m a renewal to and by all the States, of all the rights, privilege*, duties, i m munities, and obligations prescribed and recognized by the Constitrt Uon or original compact of Union. There were sereral possible alternatives to this plan, of reconstruction :' "1st. Consolidation?the swallowing np all State goysrnment by the General Qoretfpqent, making the whole oouairy one StaM, Qt?l/ dlfided Into prorinc*# far easier i ^?qipiftf?t?oot Ip^oeaatotede* one entity ipWriifWII' o "2d. Territorialisin?tlio control of tho Southern States by a Congress and Executive representing only tho Northern States ?that is, colonial vassalage and government by authority of greater force. "3d. By open subversion and usurpation to establish a a despotism over North and South, whilo yet preserving a cortnin republican form. "In replying to one who served through tho war for no other numrwn n<i - i?i?vt """'i than to defend an J maintain the Union as defined by tho Constitution," continued Mr. Davis, "thero oan bo no necoasiiy for considering any other policy than that of re-establishment of tho relations of all tho States and their citizens to erteli other and the United States Government. "Evoiy man's experience muit teach him that quarrels between friends are bo&t healed whem they Rre healed mi st promptly. The alienation which was at first a pain bocomos by ticno habitual, and the mantlo of charity being withdrawn, the laulUof each become more and moro distinct to the other, and ,tbua tho bittciost hates naturally spring from the ashes of the cloaent friendship. "It is therefore probably to be regretted that so much delay has occurred in tho work of reconstruction, because of tlie enhancement thereby of the difficulties in the way of speedy and cordial reconciliation. This opinion is qualified as "probable," because of ray want of recent intercourse with the people. A short time before tho close of the war tho id?? was infusod into my people, a9 you are well aware, that if they would cease resistance the Union would be restored, and all thoir rights of person and property respected, ?ave the property held in slaves, which would bo a ' question for the courts. I have do doubt that a majority?a very large majority? of the Southern people accepted ihia proposed settlement with singleness of pur-* pose, and woulJ, if confidingly and goner* ouely treated, have been now industriously engaged in reparing their wrecked fortunes without any thought of again resisting or obKtructing the General Goverdment in its ordinary functions. "ELow far the public wealth wound by this course have been increaseJ, the public expenditures lessened, may be measured by many hunJred millions of dollars. If it be true that much has been lost, moral* ly and materially, by delay, it would seem that true policy indicates the promptest action in what is termed reconduction. The North says we have done evil, and when bidding U9 "cease to do evil" should not preven us "learning to do woll." This can only be done by removing all impedimenta to the execise of States functions and tho re-enjoyment of euch civil and political rights as are loft us in the Uniou. "Each house of Congress is judge of the election aud qualification of its own members. The Constitution has settled the question of representation. A constituency may lose its rights for a ti me by setecing ineligible persons to bo its representative*; but the right of representation is not impaired thereby, and the mistake or abuse may be remedied by a new ejection. Teat oaths are evil continually, and only evil. They restrain those honorable men who require no fetters, while men of & different class will either take them perjurously or with * 'mental reservation.* All history has proved them ineffectual and something worse. "Our forefathers emigrated to a wilderness, and waged the war uf the Revolution to have and to hold a governmont founded on the consent of the governed. They consulted and compromised with each other to establish a voluntary Union, If that idea is to be followed, oonfidenco, generosity, fraternity, and not test oaths, disabilities, and armies quartered in the interior, must be relied upon to restore the Union and make it re-effective for the ends for which it was formed. "Reconstruction," continued Mr. Davis, 'cannot properly involve or be made to depend on those social problems which have arisen from the sudden disruptions of the relations existing between the white and black raoes in tbe Southern States. These problem* belong to tbe several States, and must have treatment according to Uw different cirourastances of each. No g4aera!'ru160an properly be made applies* ble to air, and it will prove unfortunate if tb? subject is controlled bj qtataqt and but poorly-informed, if not prejudiced, authority. The self-inUrest of individuals and; commnaittee, together with the demand lor tabor to far exceediog the supply, m*y aafely be tat to protect the laborer. "The public, action* of the Southern * r";,i * * * ' '* 'V v' A "T - *' - . K ' /. e v u #, - LI J. JSSOBBSm State conventions furnish couelusive evidence of the Southern people to resume their position in the Union ; and it must striko all observers with surprise that while those who etrovo so desperately to leave tho Union are now so earnestly endeavoring to resume their places in it, it is tho vory men who sent fire and sword to destroy them, or compel them to return, who now bar ilia door and deny them re-admission to that very condition to which it was throughout the war proclaimed to bo their first and last duty to return. Solitary reflection," concluded Mr. Davia, "has g:ve? me no key to the mysterious origin of this chango in Northern opinion, which I find evidenced in every newspaper that reacliea rr.o; and peihnps my own sad state baa tinged with its gloom tho vista of the future, if tbu3 alienated, disjointed, and adrift, tbo country should bo visited witU Mich trial* of foreign war, oither with Franco or England, or both, as are now so often BUggerted in tho public journals of America, and their extracts from tho Euro pean presa." MR. DAVIS ON* BUCUAJTAN AMD OTUKRS. Mr. Davis remarked that Mr. Buchanan more fulfilled the European ideal of a chief of State in his social relations than any American since "Washington. He was dignified, polished, reticent, and suave; fond of lady gossip and the atmosphere of intrigue; a stickler for the ceremony of power. If is misfortune was, as regardod his reputation North, that he oould not forget in a month, and at the dictation of a 1 party only representing tho majority of one I Beotion. all thosa nrino.inlno toViiaIi w L ,? Hivii unu vgcu imbibed in bis youth and formed the guiding-slurs of bis career through over fifty years of public service,. Of Mr. Cushing, of Massachusetts, Mr. Davis spoke in terms of praise, eulogizing his general talents, and more especially his soundness as an exponent of constitutional lair. He also referred to Mr. Georgo M. Dallas as bia model for the externals of a diplomatic representative, quoting something he had once known Mr. Cobden, of England, to say or write; in substance, that Dallas reminded him of some stately courtier-por trait in an old picture gallery, suddenly clothing itself with flesh and stepping down from the wall to again paoo with living men, while preserving all the passionless immobility of its pictorial expert ence. - Thb Crisis in Europe.?War between Austria and Prussia has virtually begun, although a formal declaration of war haa not yet been made. The Prussians having entered the Duchy of Ilolstuin, invited tha Austrian commanding general to re-establish a joint Government for both Duohies. When this was declined by Austria, th? Prussians rapidly advanced, in nrdnr ?n I * ' 9 " " "w wv oupy the whole Duchy. The Austrian General, being instructed not to fire the first shot under any cir.ouinstaoce9, withdrew th- whole of his command into Hanoyer. On the 12th of JuDe, the Prussians were in peaceful possession of the whole Duchy. On the 11th, they had forcibly dispersed the Holstein Estates, which, ia acoordance with the invitation of the Austrian General, had assembled at Itzehoe, Prussia at once established a zommoa Government for Sobleswig and Holstein, at V.O. 1 J ~r ?- '- ** Wg uonu w? Huiun ib a leading momDer or the nobility of the Duchies, and promised to convoke, without delay, their oommoa estates. Austria still shrinks from declaring war, and lias made a new effort to prevail upoi> the Federal Diet to assume the responsibility for ao momentous an act. She (pad* a formal motion for the mobilization of thy whole Federal army, with a view to coerc* ing Prussia into compliance with the decrees of the Diet. In reply to thia motion, Prussia, in a note to the Governments ot' the German States, declared that ahe would request the adoption of the motion .of Austria aa the ^dissolution cf the German Confederation. The Austrian motion wjui to be decided upon by the Diet on Thursday, the 14th of Jqne, Prussia, in the meantime, baa published the plan .ot Foderil reform, which Mana.' mi the exolution from Gurmany of the AutUritn Frovinoea. AuiUit, in her turn, in order to conciliate the LegUlatorei of the minor States, which unanimously demand the establishment of a Central E?- ' cntWeacdthe convocation of * Gsrmao Parliament, ha? abandoned her former plan of Federal reform, aad substantially adopted the demand* of the minor States. Her present plan eftbracesthe convocation of a Parliament, to b? ?fc?wn by a direct ote of the German people, and the estate-. lisbment of a Directory, consisting of three' m.mbsr.MNhv York r ? .. r Lu" "j.-. \ -V ->'*" /f' f ~