Will the real Jefferson Davis stand up.

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Just how can any true discussion of the War be held without input about President Jefferson Davis and his life and times. Just as there are hundreds, yea thouands, written about Lincoln, including a very few that paint a more true Lincoln than the saint we are all led to believe. There are few if any written about Jeff Davis, which IMHO, is a very sad state of affairs.

THis thread will attempt to change all of that and I only ask that whatever your feelings that you back up your claims with links to prove what you say to be your feeling of the truth. Davis is a big part of our history and we do ourselves and Jeff Davis a disservice by not knowing this leader.

Some links I feel you will find interesting and quite revealing:

http://chronicle.augusta.com/stories/060308/op__460864.shtml

DURING THE secession crisis, he urged restraint, making speeches in Boston against it and joining the Committee of Thirteen in hopes of finding a compromise to keep the nation united. When Mississippi seceded, only reluctantly did he resign his Senate seat, asking its members to forgive him for any offenses he may had committed against them.

Immediately, he appointed a Peace Commission to resolve the Confederacy's differences with the Union, offering to pay for any federal property on Southern soil as well as any of the Southern portion of the national debt.

Surprisingly, Davis' views on slavery were progressive compared to the prevailing sentiments of that day. As a slave owner, he always was working within the constraints of society to be kind to his slaves, whom he regarded as people and not just property, and he never gave them nicknames, believing it to be disrespectful. He established a judicial system ran entirely by his slaves, with him having only one right -- the power to reduce a sentence.

Davis believed that blacks could be as smart and productive as whites, and he believed in the educability and progress of blacks in America. He organized his plantation, Brierfield, for the kind of training that would protect them, once freed, from being exploited by ruthless white competition. In his view, slavery would have a natural end -- "the slave must be made fit for his freedom by education and discipline and thus made unfit for slavery."

JEFFERSON DAVIS was a man of his times,

while living at the Confederate White House in Richmond, Va., Davis and his wife became the foster parents of an orphaned, abused black child known as Jim Limber Davis.

Another Perspective
http://spectator.org/archives/2008/10/20/how-would-jefferson-davis-vote

It is true that Davis thought slavery in the South was a positive good -- that the "peculiar institution" uplifted and Christianized blacks from heathen savagery. His own roseate view of slavery was determined by his experience -- he and his brother were kindly, high-minded masters: educating their slaves, providing them with religious instruction, forbidding harsh treatment of them (the whip was forbidden), caring for their health, and treating them with respect (in Davis's case, he regarded his black manservant James Pemberton as a trustworthy friend and confidant, and made him overseer of his plantation).

http://www.factasy.com/civil_war/2008/02/27/jefferson_davishis_character_leadership_styleand_race_relations

Jefferson Davis was not guilty of treason in eventually supporting secession and in agreeing to serve as the president of the Confederacy.

For example, Thomas Jefferson said he would permit a state that wanted to leave the Union to do so in peace, even if he didn't agree with the state's reasons for leaving. The right of peaceful separation was also recognized by Presidents John Quincy Adams and John Tyler. In fact, at one point President Adams himself advocated the secession of the New England states at one point. Adams wasn't the only Northern leader who at one time or another advocated Northern secession. George Washington's Secretary of State, Timothy Pickering of Massachusetts, and U.S. Representative and Senator James Hillhouse of Connecticut, likewise advocated Northern secession for a time. Even the Federalist Hartford Convention concluded a state had the right to secede under certain circumstances. None other than Northern abolitionists William Lloyd Garrison and Lysander Spooner believed the Southern states should be allowed to go in peace. Garrison believed, with some justification, that the isolation of the South by secession would hasten slavery's demise. Spooner believed the natural right of self-determination demanded that the Southern states be allowed to separate peacefully.
The U.S. Constitution is simply silent on whether or not a state can leave the Union. Therefore, to carry the 10th Amendment to its logical conclusion, the right to secede remains with the states. Seven of the original thirteen states specified in their ratification ordinances that they were only granting to the federal government certain specific powers, and that they reserved all other powers to themselves; three of those states even said they reserved the right to resume those delegated powers if they felt the need to do so. America herself was founded on the principle of secession--that is, separation from England. Virginia began the formal secession process by issuing a secession declaration in June 1776, one month before the Declaration of Independence was published.9

[SouthernByGrace]

Hey Gw, I just finished looking at the links you posted and there's some really good information there.

You are right about it being a sad state of affairs that not much is written about President Davis' life, and most of his career and service to the United States has gone largely unnoticed. Meanwhile, we're taught to revel in the "accomplishments" of Lincoln. Such is the power of the Fed. ....Sad, indeed. 

I read a few years ago that President Davis had long been portrayed as a "micro-manager" of the Confederate government and that he and General Lee rarely saw eye-to-eye. Naturally, I set out to find out if this were true. I found that, while they didn't always totally agree with each other, they had a very respectful working relationship. Neither ever spoke or wrote unkindly of the other. Oh, I'm sure there was tension at times, good grief, they were in the middle of a 2nd revolution.
Do I think they each could have done things a little differently? Probably... but that's looking at it from a 21st century perspective. Reading some of the papers of Jefferson Davis helps to see what his mindset was back then, and in doing so, I can't help but believe he was a great man. He was a Constitutionist if there ever was one. His beliefs in every facet of his life and career were based either on the Constitution or the Holy Bible, not necessarily in that order. Even when you read his personal correspondences with civilians, you get a clear picture of his respect for his fellow man. He was a true gentleman.

Although there are some of Lee's writings available, they are few and far between compared to Davis'. I wrote in an earlier thread about three trunks being found in a bank vault in Richmond, VA belonging to the descendants of Lee. They were discovered in late 2007 and had never been given a second thought as to their contents. What they found was one of the riches treasures the South could have ever dreamed of; more than 10,000 letters and documents of General Lee's to family members, friends of the family, business associates, military letters, etc. And believe it or not, in the bottom of one trunk, wrapped in tissue paper, were the ACTUAL Stars from his Confederate uniform, removed at Appomattox as a condition of the surrender.
Oh, how I would dearly LOVE to have access to the contents of those trunks for a day...
As we say in the South when there's nothing else TO say... MMM, MMM, MMM
Great thought provoking post Gw

[littlecanoe]

If you're ever in the area it's worth a tour.



If you're ever in the area give me a yell.  I may meet you there.

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Thanks lc, its on my bucket list.

SBG its funny but I read the same thing about Davis and Lee. As you know I'm now reading - Jefferson Davis - Unconquerable Heart by Felicity Allen written in 1932. The truth of the matter is that Jeff Davis and Robert E. Lee were life long friends from West Point forward to the end of their lives. They fought together in the Mexican war and Davis helped Lee during the time he was our Sec. of War. Which is not to say that Lee didn't deserve everything Davis did for him as REL was the best man for the job so why not help him. To give you an idea of just how good Jeff Davis was as Sec. of War several Generals, including McCullen, said he was the best SoW that they had ever served under and that was due, in no small part to his fair and honest treatment of everyone in the Army. The man played no favorites.
Once, while he was President, one of the governors complained that he was appointing mostly Virginian Generals as the leaders in the Army and Jeff Davis' reply was that he was sorry but that they just happened to be the best men for the jobs at hand.
The feeling that I get is that Robert E. Lee and Albert Sidney Johnston were his two best friends with Johnston (a solder's solder) being just a little bit closer. During the war once Davis appointed Lee to be the head of the Army of Northern Virginia (and even before when Lee was President Davis' Military Adviser) there was no one else that Davis depended on more. Even after Gettysburg when Lee submitted his resignation, Jeff Davis would not except it stating that there was no better man than Lee.
Once when Cadet Davis got into trouble, which happened a few times, The Commandant of Cadets, Maj. William J. Worth said of Davis "The prisoner's conduct and general deportment ... Has been marked by correct and strict attention to duty" and that the charge was "so contrary to principles of a Solder & a man of Honor." Jeff and some WP friends were caught at a place where liquors were served of the 5, 3 were dismissed and Davis and S.J.Hays (a ward of President Andrew Jackson) were confined to quarters because they had no other bad marks against them.

There are so many other stories to share from this book that I'll come back again to add to this thread. I believe that Jefferson Davis truly was the only man who could have held the CSA together. He truly was one of a kind. As for the reported standoffishness personality I feel it was more of the fact that Jefferson Davis was trained from birth to not show his feelings in public.

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Two other links that will be of interest:

http://jeffersondavis.rice.edu/

http://jeffersondavisdocumentary.com/jeffersondavis.html

I just had to come back and add this one as Its so special:

http://www.beauvoir.org/

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A few other thoughts and links:

http://www.civilwarhome.com/jdavisbio.htm

Not the Southern people alone, but intelligent men of the finer mould of thought and feeling among all nations, are gratified by the cessation of the vituperous language of twenty-five years ago, with which even men of eminence as well as the lower sort declaimed against the exalted man who in public service for a like period of twenty-five years, filling positions in war and peace of great public trust, did not in the least degree betray the confidence which his people had reposed in him. That his career is open to adverse criticism will be conceded by his most reverent friends; but that his name, now that he is dead, should be made to wear the chains which generous justice broke from about his imprisoned living body, will not be claimed by the present generation of fairminded Americans. It is reported that Mr. Gladstone said in 1861 of Jefferson Davis that he had "created a nation," while at the same time it was being urged upon England that he was attempting to take a nation's life. Neither statement was exactly true. Mr. Davis had not created a nation. He was but the executive head of a republic which the intelligent free people of a number of large and powerful States had created. Nor had he attempted the destruction of the United States, for that government remained the same living political organism after secession that it was before. The great English statesman was not a sympathizer with the Southern secession, but he saw with clear vision that a nation in fact had come into being whose greatness was reflected in the character of the ruler it had chosen. His administration was not restrained by his antipathies. With the true greatness of his own nature he could esteem the virtues which were conspicuous in the character of such a chieftain of such a people. Jefferson Davis and the people of the Confederacy being inseparable in the reflections of mankind, the South asks only that he and they shall be judged by honorable men who have the capacities of reason and gentility to render a just judgment.

Possibly the offensive policy which was urged upon the Confederate President in the first months' fighting might have been better than the defensive which he was constrained to adopt. The financial system was not the best and yet some of its features were adopted or followed by the United States. Conscription was a hard measure, and perhaps the appeal for volunteers would have kept the army full. There were on these and other great problems differences of opinion, but there was rare unity in the Confederate purpose to succeed, and hence the government was maintained against forces of men, money and diplomacy leagued against it in such strength as to force the conclusion that after all the Confederate government was wonderfully well sustained for the four or more years of its existence. Nearly all the great reviewers of the Confederate civil administration and the operations of its armies agree in the verdict that both departments were well sustained by the intelligent and brave leaders at the head of affairs. The administration policy incurred special opposition at all the points above named, in regard to which President Davis in his writings concedes the fidelity and intelligence of his opposers, even admitting that in some instances his policy should have been changed. The difficult and delicate situations in which he was placed by the progress of military events often embarrassed him. His appointments were not always the best that could have been made, and his military suggestions were sometimes faulty because they were given at a distance from the field. But the constantly diminishing resources of his country, through the destructive agencies that eroded them at every point, caused the collapse of the government. President Davis did not publicly disclose any apprehensions of failure even to the last days of the Confederacy. So far as the antagonists of his government could determine from his open policy he had no thought of peace except in independence. But it is apparent from his actions in the winter of 1864 and 1865, especially after his interview with Lee and other officers, that he began to look about him for the way to peace. The commission sent to Canada to meet any parties from the United States who would counsel peace; his readiness to give audience to even such unauthorized but friendly visitors as Colonel Jacques; his two interviews with Blair and his letter to Blair to be shown to Lincoln; his appointment of Stephens, Campbell and Hunter to meet President Lincoln in an informal conference--all these indicated at the time and now more clearly disclose that the Confederate President would have consented to peace upon terms that would even subvert his presidency and consign him to private life. The defeat and surrender of the armies of Lee and Johnston dissolved the Confederate States in fact leaving nothing to be done in law but the abrogation of the ordinances of secession by the States which had erected them. As one result of the fall of the armies the President was made a captive by the military, imprisoned in chains, charged unjustly with crimes for which he demanded trial in vain, and after two years of imprisonment which disgraced his enemies was released on bond. A nolle prosequi was entered in his case in 1869, and thus he was never brought to the trial which he earnestly demanded.


Another distorted view:

http://ngeorgia.com/ang/Jefferson_Davis

Rather than listen to James Longstreet, Nathan Bedford Forrest and Leonidas Polk, Davis backed the man who saved his regiment at Buena Vista. Many historians consider the overwhelming defeat at Chattanooga to be the last chance the South had to win the Civil War.
Polk was a long time Davis friend and Minister to the Davis family; a much closer friend than Bragg

As for Joe Johnston (no relation to Albert Sidney); he and Davis were never friends and Johnston considered himself a better man than Robert E. Lee. Although a good defensive General, he had a self serving ego, his troopers did love him but his lack of offensive movement, no doubt, cost us Vicksburg. In his defense I must say I do feel that he could have saved Atlanta and Davis made a mistake by putting Hood in charge. While Hood had the heart of a Lion he had also lost both an arm and a leg so was in no condition to lead.

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Let us not forget that this Saturday is the 119th anniversary of the passing of our President Jefferson Davis. May God rest his soul.

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"Throughout the South are Lamentations and tears;  wherever there are men who love heroic patriotism, dauntless resolution, fortitude or intellectual power, there is an sincere sorrowing. The beloved of our land, the unfaltering upholder of constitutional liberty, the typical hero and sage, is no more; the fearless heart that beats with sympathy for all mankind is stilled forever, a great light is gone----Jefferson Davis is dead!"

May he and his rest in peace knowing, that in the hearts and minds of all true lovers of our Constitution and Liberty, he is not forgotten. The cause is alive and well!!!!!!

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Another link you might enjoy:

Jefferson Davis; our greatest hero!

http://www.rense.com/general59/jef.htm