Jefferson Davis, published July 11, 1845

Six months ago we expressed the wish of this section of the state to have Jefferson Davis on our next Congressional Ticket. Our wish has been gratified; and triumph and satisfaction rest on the countenance of every democrat among us.

A native of our soil, a free-hearted, open, manly, bold Mississippian, and a Democrat to the core, he is destined to be the pride and ornament of our state.

The circumstances under which he has been nominated render his nomination a double triumph, and exhibit a characteristic trait of the man. Upon a minor question of state policy (the Briscoe Bill) he differs from a large portion of the citizens of this part of the state; and that difference he had casually expressed. He was called upon anonymously to express himself publicly on the point. It not being a question in any way touching his acceptability as a member of Congress, (the station to which his friends were anxious to advance him) and the call being anonymous, he might with plausibility have entirely excused himself from replying; and most politicians perhaps, under the circumstances, believing as he did that his reply would inevitably destroy his prospects, would have remained silent. Not so with him. He was determined that no charge should every apply to him that he had kept back his opinions through policy; and under his instructions we, at this office, hastened our press in order that he should lay before the Convention his views upon this question which he thought would cause his defeat. But toleration and harmony-the spirit of casting aside minor and local considerations for the sake of securing soundness and honesty upon great national questions-ruled the hour, he was nominated—and that by the votes of those differing with him upon this.

Doubly triumphant is the securing of such a man in public life. It is a triumph of straight forward frankness and honesty over the intriguing, non-commitalism, and duplicity which we grieve to say has too much heretofore characterised our public men.

We only bespeak for Mr. Davis the acquaintance of his fellow citizens. We only wish him to be known in other parts of the state as he is at home; and we know that he will become everywhere else as much beloved and esteemed as he is here.

SOURCES: Dunbar Rowland, Editor, Jefferson Davis, Constitutionalist: His Letters, Papers and Speeches, Volume 1, p. 21-2; “Jefferson Davis,” Vicksburg Sentinel, Vicksburg, Mississippi, Friday, July 11, 1845, p. 3