History-Revisited

As we have come to this day when the new president is inaugurated we are reminded of how much energy and money is spent on just one occasion. I have heard that this inauguration is by far the most expensive we have ever seen covering three days, and as you could see how excessive were the guards and police as they were everywhere. I went back and found some accounts I recently came across that dealt with Jefferson Davis concerning some of these matters.

This first account if from the Richmond Dispatch:
"Proud of becoming the capital of the Confederacy, desirous to do honour to President Davis, and anxious to give him the heartiest possible welcome here, the city council purchased and furnished what was ever afterwards known as 'the Jeff. Davis mansion,' and offered it to him as a free gift.
"He declined it.
"He would not accept any present of value; but he agreed to make the house his home upon condition that the city should receive from the government, whose duty it was to furnish him a home, rent therefor. He occupied the house in the early summer of 1861, and bade farewell to it April 2, 1865."

This next account comes from the recollections of Hon. George Davis, of North Carolina, Confederate Attorney-General about his time with Jefferson Davis as President.

"I never saw a man more simple in his habits of life. He surrounded himself with no barriers of forms and ceremonies. The humblest soldier in the ranks, the plainest citizen in the Confederacy, could have as easy access to him as the members of his cabinet when such demands on his time were consistent with the interests of his country. No man ever lived who more thoroughly despised the mere show and tinsel of state and power, and the trappings of office."
"Mr. Davis was at the head of one of the grandest armies that the world ever saw in a time when 'laws were silenced in the midst of arms,' and I give you my word I never saw him attended by a guard or by an orderly. His domestic servants were all that were needed and all that he would have. I say he was never attended by a guard; he was once, and I shall never forget his delight when he told me of it. When General Lee was encamped on the banks of the Chickahominy near Richmond, Mr. Davis was in the habit every afternoon after the business of his office was over of riding out to his headquarters. Upon these visits he always went on horseback and generally alone. Upon one occasion he was detained later than usual, and night had fallen before he left General Lee's tent. As he rode along he heard a horse approaching rapidly and presently a cheery young voice called out 'Good evening,' and, as he turned to salute, a young lad rode up to his side-a young boy of some 16 or 17 years of age, but he wore the gray jacket, and had his rifle on his shoulder and his revolver in his belt. 'Good evening. Is your name Davis- Jefferson Davis?' 'Yes.' 'Well, don't you think you are doing very wrong to be riding around in the dark by yourself?' Mr. Davis said he was within our lines and had nothing to fear from Confederate soldiers. 'It ain't right,' said the boy, 'for there are bad men in our army as well as in all armies.' When about two miles from Richmond and the outposts were reached he said: 'Well, I reckon I'll go back now.' The brave lad thought of the President as in danger and he made himself his body guard, determined to see him through; and he would have died for him there upon that lonely road with as much bravery and cheerfulness as thousands of his comrades were dying every day for the cause Mr. Davis represented."

All these accounts are from Jefferson Davis and the World's Tribute to His Memory- Memorial Volume 1890 by J.W.M. Jones.