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

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

A very early use of this now famous phrase

The expression "The south shall rise again" is one that everyone has heard, not simply in the southern states but throughout the entire nation. It has been used as a political slogan, a regional emblem, a football battle cry, and even...

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A very early use of this at present famous phrase

The expression "The s shall ascent again" is one that everyone has heard, not merely in the southern states but throughout the entire nation. It has been used every bit a political slogan, a regional emblem, a football battle cry, and even been the title of a 1950s song ("Save Your Confederate Money Boys, The South Shall Rise Over again"). Nonetheless, the expression is not a contempo i; its genesis dates dorsum to the turbulent years directly post-obit the Civil State of war.

In the late 1860s and early on 1870s southern Democrats began to gain more political forcefulness equally former Confederates were once over again given the right to vote. During this time, beyond the South, people known to history as the Redeemers came into prominence. The Redeemers actively promoted a return to conservative Democratic rule and opposed the Republican-led, federally-imposed local and state governments, which they saw equally corrupt and a violation of true principles. They were also dedicated to white potency and sought to deny blacks any office in the new South. Many of the Redeemers were plantation owners and other wealthy elites who had lost power and wealth during the Ceremonious War, quondam Amalgamated soldiers and loyalists, and a broad variety of supporters. From 1868, they used violence, intimidation and even fraud to control or sabotage any election they could non influence, the goal being to reduce Republican voting and oust electric current officeholders. In 1868 alone, in that location were over 1,000 political murders in Louisiana, most of the victims being freedmen. The motto and rally weep that the Redeemers adopted was "the South shall rising again," and this became something of a motto for the expanse, one that was at times used by candidates to stir up racial and regional confrontation. It has retained its currency into the 21st century.

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

Afterward Lee's surrender at Appomattox, Davis fled Richmond and was captured by Federal cavalry near Irwinville, Georgia on May 10, 1865. He was then held at Fort Monroe on charges of treason against the United states until May of 1867, when he was released on a $100,000 bond. The bond was posted by several prominent Americans, amidst them his wartime opponents Horace Greeley, Cornelius Vanderbilt and Gerrit Smith. Though a public trial was something Davis eagerly sought because it would heighten the issue of whether or not secession was actually illegal no less treasonous, it was long delayed. Meanwhile, he refused to apologize or consider ideas of a pardon.

In 1868, after spending time in New Orleans and Canada, Davis and his wife traveled to Europe. He wanted to telephone call on Mann, who had moved to Paris afterward the war, but serious illness in his family unit prevented it. In this important letter, Davis explains all that, mentions his own ill health (no doubt worsened by the physical and mental strain of his confinement and constant travels), and conspicuously describes his family'due south reduced straits and meager budget. He laments the delays in and inconveniences of his upcoming trial, which were in role the result of the unavailability of Chief Justice Salmon Chase, who was presiding over the trial later impeachment of President Andrew Johnson. Davis also decries the "radical rule" of the Federal government, and with the U.S. presidential election of 1868 just ahead, he doubts that New York Governor and Democratic candidate Horatio Seymour can defeat the popular Republican candidate, U.S. Grant. This leads him to regret the condition of the South, wondering if it will ever have the "life to ascent once more."

Autograph Letter Signed, Waterloo, England, Oct 9, 1868 to Mann. "My dear friend, I have long desired to write to you but having learned that yous had changed your residence was at a loss how to address y'all, 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 school at this place was dangerously sick, and on my arrival hither plant him so low that for weeks we had more than to fear than to hope. He is now convalescent merely my wife is quite ill, probably consequent on fatigue and anxiety, and I accept suffered from the disease which has afflicted this hamlet. You will I hope excuse the delay in announcing myself to you lot and believe that one of our great desires in Europe was to meet yous once again. It was my intention to leave France before this appointment just all of my plans accept been disturbed for the causes already stated. The U.S. Courtroom before which I am under bond to appear meets once more on the 23rd of November and unless notified that my presence is not required I shall have to be in Richmond, Va. at that fourth dimension. My counsel expected to receive notice dispensing with my attendance because the example would not be tried in the absence of the circuit judge, the Primary Justice Chase, and it was well understood that he could not preside in the Circuit Court, because the term of the Supreme Court would commence in the ensuing week. Having yet been compelled on the two former occasions to go to Richmond and when information technology was known there would exist no hearing, it may be that a similar needless journey volition once again be necessary.

"Equally soon as the health of my family will permit it is our purpose to get out here, going in the commencement example probably to Leamington, and later on a short stay there I wish to go to France. My object is to locate my family in some salubrious identify where they may alive at such minor expense as our circumstances will let, and where the children may accept expert schools attainable from their Female parent's lodgings. We have looked to you lot for data and advice. I need non say that the lowest rates consequent with comfort will exist accustomed.

"The American newspapers have not recently encouraged the promise of Seymour's election, I cannot carry to contemplate another four years of 'Radical' dominion. Their crimes would probably lead to a terrible reaction and their punishment would be more full and therefore more beneficial to the oppressed South, if information technology were possible to expect so long and nevertheless take life to ascension again. Mrs. Davis presents to you her kindest remembrance…I am your friend, Jeff'n Davis."

The sentiment in this alphabetic character is overwhelming, with Davis feeling persecuted, impoverished, and powerless, fifty-fifty as his worst adversaries maraude through the due south and set up to inaugurate Grant and his Republicans into the Execute Mansion. Moreover, considering the timing of this letter, the very language with which it ends is startlingly consequent with the rally cry of the Redeemers – "The south shall rise once more" – which raises some interesting potentialities. If Davis borrowed the expression from the Redeemers in composing this letter, that would tend to indicate that he was in sympathy with them and their program. On the other hand, its use here may indicate that Davis himself had something to do with the phrase's origin. Although its verbal genesis is not 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 world will rising once more." Plus there is the intriguing possibility that the language of this very letter may take been published in southern newspapers at the time and resulted in creation of the phrase.

The Supreme Court eventually dismissed the charges confronting Davis, though his U.Due south. citizenship was just restored posthumously.

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