The Southwestern Historical Quarterly, Volume 25, July 1921 - April, 1922 Page: 11
306 p. ; 23 cm.View a full description of this periodical.
Extracted Text
The following text was automatically extracted from the image on this page using optical character recognition software:
Annexation. of Texas and the Mississippi Democrats 11
12 for the purpose of extolling the nominees of the Baltimore
convention, one of the speakers was Colonel Davis. Among the
resolutions passed on this occasion was the following: "That the
democracy of this country look upon the immediate re-annexation
of Texas to the family of the Union, as an act expedient and
necessary for the safety, the perpetuity, the glory, and the honor
of the whole nation."29 There is no reason for believing that put-
ting the annexation of Texas upon broad grounds of national in-
terest did not meet with the entire approval of Davis; a wide gulf
separated him from those extremists in the state who pronounced
themselves ready to advocate disunion in the event of the failure
of annexation. In a word, his attitude on the whole reflected
more faithfully than did Robert J. Walker the sentiment enun-
ciated by the latter: "It is a great question of national interest
too large and comprehensive to embrace any party or section less
than the whole American people"; for while Walker in his famous
letter did put the annexation of Texas upon national grounds, in
his pamphlet entitled "The South in Danger" he appealed to nar-
row sectional interests, recommending annexation solely on the
ground of perpetuating and extending the South's peculiar in-
stitution. When the campaign of that summer came to an end,
Davis had made a reputation for himself as an able and a zealous
advocate, a talented and fearless speaker, and one whose speeches
combined an unusual degree of power and elegance.80 The fol-
of him as a "gentleman of pleasing manners and address, possessing a
musical and well-modulated voice." Another leading Whig organ, while
complimenting his courtesy and his bearing toward his opponents, charged
the speaker with skimming over the questions at issue, "touching only
upon those points calculated to operate upon the feelings or interests of
his audience." Another Whig after listening to the "school boy candi-
date," spoke of the excruciating effects upon his audience when at the
close of his exordium, "Jeff Davis" drew from his pocket his written
speech and proceeded to deal in a laborious manner with the issues of
the campaign. The leading organ of the state right element attacked
Davis because the young aspirant for political honors had declared in
favor of military colleges in every state where the youth might be e'lu-
cated at public expense; too many aristocratic notions had been instilled
into him at West Point. Vicksburg Sentinel, June 30, Nov. 3, 1845;
Yazoo Democrat, Sept. 10, 1845; Colum bus Democrat, Aug. 10, 1844; Port
Gibson Herald, July 4, 18, 1844; Vicksburg Weekly Whig, Aug. 16, 1844;
Raymond Gazette, Oct. 24, 1845.
"Free Trader, June 14, 1844.
"Mississippi Democrat, Feb. 12, Sept. 10, 1845. A contemporary spoke
of the delight it was to listen to his "soft and mellow utterances, his
Upcoming Pages
Here’s what’s next.
Search Inside
This issue can be searched. Note: Results may vary based on the legibility of text within the document.
Tools / Downloads
Get a copy of this page or view the extracted text.
Citing and Sharing
Basic information for referencing this web page. We also provide extended guidance on usage rights, references, copying or embedding.
Reference the current page of this Periodical.
Texas State Historical Association. The Southwestern Historical Quarterly, Volume 25, July 1921 - April, 1922, periodical, 1922; Austin, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth101082/m1/17/?rotate=270: accessed April 19, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Texas State Historical Association.