“Cato” to John Jenkins, published June 30, 1845

(From Vicksburg Sentinel, June 30, 1845.)

Mr. Editor:—It is with much satisfaction that I learn that the convention on Monday last have determined to present the name of our fellow-citizen Jefferson Davis, Esq., as a proper person to represent our State in the councils of the nation. Those only who know Mr. Davis can properly appreciate him.—his urbanity of manners, his gentlemanly deportment, and his kind feelings have justly endeared him to his friends. To know him, is to esteem him highly. His talents which heretofore have been comparatively unknown, owing to the restraints which modesty too frequently imposes, were made manifest in our last Presidential canvass; when some of his speeches for brilliancy, for beauty and force, may be said to have equalled some of the first specimens of modern eloquence. Previously obscure and but little known, at the call of the

people, he stepped forth like the fabled goddess, fully armed to do battle for his country; and we all know the result.

But Mr. Davis's chief virtue, his pearl of great price, his largest, his brightest jewel, is his spotless integrity; his reputation as an honest man is not only unimpeachable, but above suspicion. And in times like the present when virtue's wand is broken such men are needed. The opinions of Mr. Davis will be listened to with respect, and must have their influence. This is the case in this county; this will be the case wherever he is known.

In view of the influence which his opinions at present exert and are destined to exert to a still greater extent, should he receive the nomination of the coming convention, he will no doubt permit an humble individual who wishes him well through you, Mr. Editor, to request his views on a subject about to be agitated in our next legislative councils and at present dear to the democracy of the Union. I mean what is commonly known as the 'Briscoe bill' in its original form as introduced by the senator from Claiborne.¹ This inquiry will not be considered impertinent when I explain myself. In the first place, although Mr. Davis in the situation which we destine him to occupy, will not be called upon to act in the matter, yet the opinions and views of our public men, on subjects of great political importance, are considered public property, and as such, the people have a right to inquire and expect their inquiries to be answered. Again, when any gentleman of high moral character, having the mind to perceive, and the industry to investigate, who is favorably known and a party leader, favors an important political project and his views become fully known, it thereby acquires a momentum, which enables it to overcome all obstacles. Such in a degree may be the effect of the present inquiry.

There is another reason why Mr. Davis should declare his sentiments and make them clearly and unequivocally known: At the convention of Monday last, a resolution was introduced, supposed at the time, and still thought to be adverse to the bill. This resolution, if I am not mistaken was advocated by Mr. Davis or claimed to have been so by the enemies of the bill. Some of his friends however, insist that from the confusion that prevailed at the time and the ambiguity of some of the proceedings, his views and feelings have been misinterpreted. Be this as it may, it is right and proper that he should be fully and fairly located, that the people who now see him, as through a glass, darkly, may have a clear and distinct view of all his political features. The friends of the measure desire this exposition; its enemies cannot object to it. The fate of Rome and perhaps of Caesar may depend upon it.

CATO.

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¹ The Brisco Bill.

SOURCES: Dunbar Rowland, Editor, Jefferson Davis, Constitutionalist: His Letters, Papers and Speeches, Volume 1, p. 17-21; “For the Sentinel,” Vicksburg Weekly Sentinel, Vicksburg, Mississippi, Tuesday, July 1, 1845, p. 2