Davis was weak and vascillating, timid, petulant, peevish, obstinate, but not firm.

If centralism is ultimately to prevail; if our entire system of free Institutions as established by our common ancestors is to be subverted, and an Empire is to be established in their stead; if that is to be the last scene of the great tragic drama now being enacted: then, be assured, that we of the South will be acquitted, not only in our own consciences, but in the judgment of mankind, of all responsibility for so terrible a catastrophe, and from all guilt of so great a crime against humanity.

As a race, the African is inferior to the white man. Subordination to the white man is his normal condition. He is not his equal by nature and cannot be made so by human laws or human institutions. Our system, therefore, so far as regards this inferior race, rests upon this great immutable law of nature.

All the genius I have lies in this; when I have a subject in hand, I study it profoundly.

Its foundations are laid, its cornerstone rests, upon the great truth that the negro is not equal to the white man; that slavery . . . is his natural and normal condition.

Davis was weak and vascillating, timid, petulant, peevish, obstinate, but not firm.

Away with the idea of getting independence first, and looking for liberty afterwards... Our liberties, once lost, may be lost forever.