Davis, Jefferson (1808-1889) to Nahum Capen re: Grant's presidential campaign
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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC05719 Author/Creator: Davis, Jefferson (1808-1889) Place Written: Beauvoir, [Miss.] Type: Letter Date: 1880/04 Pagination: 4 p. 24.2 x 15.4 cm Order a Copy
Written in purple ink and signed (for her husband) by Varina Davis. "With all his stupidity, neglect of his duties and abuse of his trust... the case must be hopeless. [...] God forbade war to coerce the seceding tribes (of Israel) to return. "
TRANSCRIPT GLC 05719
Jefferson Davis. Letter unsigned: to Nahum Capen, April 1880. 4 p.
April 1880, Beauvoir
Nahum Capen Esqr.
My dear Sir,
I have the pleasure to acknowledge your's of the 14th last and thank you for the pamphlets you have sent for me which I will read with greater interest because the subject is one which I do not understand but concerning which my impressions are different from those of the Author but ? have even adopted the views of Jeremy Beuthaw whose opinions generally I have thought to be ?.I thank you for your solicitude about my health which has generally improved by my residence on the Sea Shore, but I suffered lately from exposure during a visit to my old home on the Missi. River when it was as a flood. I am working as you would have me, but progress slowly as you can better than most men understand, must be the case with one who seeks historical accuracy.
I have been struck like yourself with the want of statesmanship in both political parties and have attributed it to the way in which offices are now sought and obtained. The names of Mr. Lowndrs, I believe it was original with him; though it has been ? to several others that Presidency of the U. S. was an office neither to be sought or to be declined, has with in the present day to present its meaning. He who you ? term a "Dummy" has been canvassing as diligently as ever did a ? ? for the office of Constable and what is most worth of notice is that he has provided thereby increased his chance for a nomination; to which I have no objection for if with all his stupidity, neglect of his duties and abuse of his trust together with a well founded objection against a third term, the ? can't reach? him, the case must be hopeless. I hope we shall have a candidate whose ?dignity is above suspicion whose capacity is equal to the office and whose distinctly ? the war idea. If the Constitution is what the men who made it is ? it must be the same in war and in peace. To justify uses ? on the ? of necessity is the ? resort of ?.
I do not distinctly recollect the views of Genl Rosecrantz in 1872, therebore can give no opinion upon them. I entirely agree with you that dicission? among us was "a plant of New England growth", but will add it is the ? resort of the minority, whenver a government? ?, and was asserted and justified in the declaration of independence. Its origin however is far more remote than this, it was asserted in the Confederacy of the twelve tribes of Isreal, and the Lord speaking through his Prophet forbade man to coerce the seceding ? to ?.
It always gives me much pleasure to receive a letter from you and I hope you write as frequently as your conscience will permit. Ms. Davis joins me in kindest wishes to you and yours.
Ever faithfully your's
Jefferson Davis
Notes:
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