dy. In
front it was not only intellectual, it was classical--a model for an
artist. The back of his head was that of a prize fighter, and he
combined the scholar and gentleman with the pugilist. His courage was
constitutional and he was ready to make good his position whether by
argument or by blows. His speeches in the delivery were very
attractive. His best speech, as I recall his efforts, was a speech in
defense of Admiral Dupont. That speech involved an attack upon the
Navy Department. Alexander H. Rice, of Massachusetts, was the chairman
of the Naval Committee. He appeared for the Navy Department in an able
defence. Mr. Rice's abilities were not of the highest order, but his
style was polished, and he was thoroughly equipped for the defence. He
had the Navy Department behind him, and a department usually has a
plausible reason or excuse for anything that it does.

An estimate of Mr. Davis' style as a writer and his quality as an
orator may be gained from a speech entitled:--"Reasons for Refusing to
Part Company with the South," which he delivered in February, 1861,
and in which he set forth the condition of the country as it then
appeared to him. These extracts give some support to the opinion
entertained by many that Mr. Davis was the leading political orator
of the Civil War period:

"We are at the end of the insane revel of partisan license, which, for
thirty years, has, in the United States, worn the mask of government.
We are about to close the masquerade by the dance of death. The
nations of the world look anxiously to see if the people, ere they
tread that measure, will come to themselves.

"Yet in the early youth of our national life we are already exhausted
by premature excesses. The corruption of our political maxims has
relaxed the tone of public morals and degraded the public authorities
from terror to the accomplices of evil-doers. Platforms for fools--
plunder for thieves--offices for service--power for ambition--unity in
these essentials--diversity in the immaterial matters of policy and
legislation--charity for every frailty--the voice of the people is the
voice of God--these maxims have sunk into the public mind; have
presided at the administration of public affairs, have almost effaced
the very idea of public duty. The Government under their disastrous
influence has gradually ceased to fertilize the fields of domestic and
useful legislation, and pours itself, like an impetuous to