Jefferson Davis Hopes the "Oppressed South" Shall "Rise Again"

While he awaits trial for treason, Davis writes a shut friend lamenting the "Radical" dominion of the Republicans and the state of the southland.

A very early utilize of this at present famous phrase

The expression "The south shall rising again" is i that everyone has heard, not only in the southern states but throughout the unabridged nation. It has been used as a political slogan, a regional emblem, a football boxing weep, and even...

Read More than

A very early use of this now famous phrase

The expression "The south shall rise again" is one that anybody has heard, not only in the southern states simply throughout the entire nation. It has been used equally a political slogan, a regional emblem, a football game battle cry, and fifty-fifty been the title of a 1950s song ("Salve Your Confederate Money Boys, The South Shall Ascent Again"). However, the expression is not a recent i; its genesis dates back to the turbulent years directly following the Civil War.

In the belatedly 1860s and early 1870s southern Democrats began to gain more than political strength as former Confederates were once again given the right to vote. During this time, across the South, people known to history as the Redeemers came into prominence. The Redeemers actively promoted a return to bourgeois Democratic rule and opposed the Republican-led, federally-imposed local and state governments, which they saw as decadent and a violation of true principles. They were also dedicated to white authority and sought to deny blacks any role in the new South. Many of the Redeemers were plantation owners and other wealthy elites who had lost power and wealth during the Civil State of war, former Confederate soldiers and loyalists, and a wide diverseness of supporters. From 1868, they used violence, intimidation and even fraud to control or demolition whatever election they could not influence, the goal being to reduce Republican voting and oust current officeholders. In 1868 alone, there were over 1,000 political murders in Louisiana, near of the victims being freedmen. The motto and rally cry that the Redeemers adopted was "the South shall rise once more," and this became something of a motto for the area, one that was at times used past candidates to stir up racial and regional confrontation. Information technology has retained its currency into the 21st century.

Earlier the Civil War, Jefferson Davis seved as Secretary of the Navy under President Franklin Pierce. While in this position he met and befriended America's outset Assistant Secretary of Land, Ambrose Dudley Mann. During the war, Confederate President Davis appointed Mann every bit 1 of the first Commissioners to Europe and Isle of man eventually gained the title of Confederate Commissioner for Belgium and the Vatican.

After Lee's surrender at Appomattox, Davis fled Richmond and was captured by Federal cavalry most Irwinville, Georgia on May ten, 1865. He was so held at Fort Monroe on charges of treason against the Us until May of 1867, when he was released on a $100,000 bond. The bail was posted past several prominent Americans, amongst them his wartime opponents Horace Greeley, Cornelius Vanderbilt and Gerrit Smith. Though a public trial was something Davis eagerly sought because it would raise the upshot of whether or not secession was actually illegal no less treasonous, information technology was long delayed. Meanwhile, he refused to repent or consider ideas of a pardon.

In 1868, later on spending time in New Orleans and Canada, Davis and his married woman traveled to Europe. He wanted to call on Mann, who had moved to Paris afterwards the war, just serious illness in his family prevented it. In this of import alphabetic character, Davis explains all that, mentions his ain sick health (no doubt worsened by the physical and mental strain of his confinement and constant travels), and clearly describes his family'southward reduced straits and meager upkeep. He laments the delays in and inconveniences of his upcoming trial, which were in part the result of the unavailability of Primary Justice Salmon Chase, who was presiding over the trial after impeachment of President Andrew Johnson. Davis also decries the "radical rule" of the Federal regime, and with the U.S. presidential election of 1868 just ahead, he doubts that New York Governor and Autonomous candidate Horatio Seymour tin can defeat the popular Republican candidate, U.South. Grant. This leads him to regret the condition of the South, wondering if it will e'er have the "life to rising again."

Autograph Letter Signed, Waterloo, England, October 9, 1868 to Isle of man. "My dear friend, I have long desired to write to you but having learned that you lot had changed your residence was at a loss how to address you, until I met our friend Senator [James A.] Bayard at London. Immediately thereafter I returned to Liverpool and learned that my son who was at schoolhouse at this place was dangerously ill, and on my arrival hither plant him so low that for weeks we had more to fright than to hope. He is now convalescent but my wife is quite ill, probably consequent on fatigue and anxiety, and I have suffered from the illness which has affected this village. You volition I hope alibi the delay in announcing myself to you and believe that one of our peachy desires in Europe was to meet you again. Information technology was my intention to go out France before this appointment just all of my plans have been disturbed for the causes already stated. The U.S. Court before which I am under bond to appear meets again on the 23rd of November and unless notified that my presence is not required I shall have to exist in Richmond, Va. at that time. My counsel expected to receive notice dispensing with my attendance because the case would not be tried in the absence of the circuit judge, the Chief Justice Chase, and it was well understood that he could non preside in the Circuit Court, because the term of the Supreme Court would commence in the ensuing week. Having however been compelled on the two quondam occasions to go to Richmond and when information technology was known there would exist no hearing, information technology may be that a like needless journey will again be necessary.

"Every bit shortly every bit the health of my family volition allow it is our purpose to leave here, going in the first instance probably to Leamington, and after a brusque stay in that location I wish to go to France. My object is to locate my family in some healthy place where they may live at such small expense equally our circumstances will let, and where the children may have good schools accessible from their Mother's lodgings. We have looked to you for information and advice. I need not say that the lowest rates consequent with comfort will be accepted.

"The American newspapers accept not recently encouraged the hope of Seymour's election, I cannot bear to contemplate another four years of 'Radical' rule. Their crimes would probably lead to a terrible reaction and their punishment would exist more full and therefore more benign to the oppressed South, if it were possible to look and then long and all the same have life to rise again. Mrs. Davis presents to you her kindest remembrance…I am your friend, Jeff'northward Davis."

The sentiment in this letter is overwhelming, with Davis feeling persecuted, impoverished, and powerless, even as his worst adversaries maraude through the s and prepare to inaugurate Grant and his Republicans into the Execute Mansion. Moreover, considering the timing of this alphabetic character, the very language with which it ends is startlingly consistent with the rally cry of the Redeemers – "The south shall rise again" – which raises some interesting potentialities. If Davis borrowed the expression from the Redeemers in composing this alphabetic character, that would tend to signal that he was in sympathy with them and their programme. On the other hand, its use hither may signal that Davis himself had something to do with the phrase'south origin. Although its exact genesis is non known, it is possible that some unknown person within the Redeemers originated it.  Some other scenario is that it was adopted from an early version of a quote that Jefferson Davis used in 1873, and which he borrowed from Thomas Carlyle: "Truth crushed to globe volition rise again." Plus in that location is the intriguing possibility that the language of this very letter of the alphabet may accept been published in southern newspapers at the fourth dimension and resulted in cosmos of the phrase.

The Supreme Court eventually dismissed the charges against Davis, though his U.S. citizenship was only restored posthumously.

Frame, Display, Preserve

Each frame is custom constructed, using only proper museum archival materials. This includes:The finest frames, tailored to match the document you take called. These can period style, antiqued, aureate, wood, etc. Fabric mats, including silk and satin, also as museum mat board with manus painted bevels. Attachment of the certificate to the matting to ensure its protection. This "hinging" is washed according to archival standards. Protective "glass," or Tru Vue Optium Acrylic glazing, which is shatter resistant, 99% UV protective, and anti-reflective. Y'all benefit from our decades of experience in designing and creating beautiful, compelling, and protective framed historical documents.

Learn more about our Framing Services