February 18 - Two Nations Now: Jefferson Davis Becomes Confederate President
Preserving Unity When Divided By Differences
This is the day Jefferson Davis was inaugurated as President of the Confederate States of America in Montgomery, Alabama in 1861.
In today's lesson, we will explore the weight of division and the power of unity through the lens of Jefferson Davis's historic farewell to the U.S. Senate. What cost do we pay when fellowship is broken? How can Christians maintain unity without compromising conviction? These questions resonate through history into our present moment, challenging us to consider God's heart for His people.
"How good and pleasant it is when God's people live together in unity!" - Psalm 133:1 (NIV)
This Date in History
The crowd pressed forward on the steps of the Alabama State Capitol, straining to witness a moment that would reshape a nation. Jefferson Davis, his face drawn from recent illness but his bearing military-straight, approached the podium to take an oath that would mark the culmination of decades of division. The date was February 18, 1861, and in accepting the presidency of the Confederate States of America, Davis stood at the epicenter of the greatest political rupture in American history.
Born in 1808 in frontier Kentucky, Davis grew up alongside future military and political leaders who would shape America's destiny. At West Point, he studied with Robert E. Lee and other cadets who would later choose sides in the Civil War. His dedication to military discipline and constitutional theory earned him respect among his peers, though his stubborn adherence to principle sometimes created friction with superiors.
Love and tragedy marked his early adult years. Despite opposition from his future father-in-law, General Zachary Taylor, Davis married Sarah Knox Taylor in 1835. Their happiness proved brief. Both contracted malaria during their honeymoon, and Sarah died after just three months of marriage. This devastating loss led Davis to retreat to his Mississippi plantation, Brierfield, where he spent seven years in relative seclusion. During this period, he immersed himself in classical literature, political philosophy, and agricultural management, developing the intellectual foundation that would later shape his political career.
Davis emerged from his self-imposed exile to enter politics, winning election to Congress in 1845. When the Mexican-American War erupted, he resigned his seat to command the Mississippi Rifles. His innovative tactical use of the new Model 1841 rifle and personal bravery at the Battle of Buena Vista, where he sustained a serious foot wound yet remained in command, won national acclaim. This military success, combined with his political experience, led to his appointment as Senator and later Secretary of War under Franklin Pierce.
In the Senate, Davis established himself as a moderating voice among Southern politicians, though his moderation had clear limits. He opposed immediate secession but vigorously defended slavery as a positive good and constitutional right. His carefully reasoned arguments and powerful oratory made him respected even by his Northern opponents. When Mississippi seceded, his farewell Senate speech moved many to tears as he expressed both conviction in states' rights and genuine sorrow at the Union's dissolution.
As Confederate president, Davis faced immense challenges. His military expertise proved both blessing and curse, as he sometimes micromanaged generals and struggled to delegate authority. He battled constant shortages of supplies, diplomatic isolation, and competing state interests. Throughout the war, he maintained a grueling schedule, working long hours despite chronic illness and personal tragedy, including the death of his young son in 1864.
When Richmond fell in April 1865, Davis refused to admit defeat. He fled south with his family and a small escort, hoping to continue the fight from Texas. Union cavalry captured him near Irwinville, Georgia, on May 10, 1865. Northern newspapers initially portrayed his capture sensationally, falsely claiming he had disguised himself in women's clothing to escape.
Davis spent two years imprisoned at Fort Monroe, Virginia, facing possible execution for treason. His imprisonment sparked international controversy, particularly when he was shackled in his cell. The legal complexities of trying him proved daunting. If secession was illegal, how could Davis be president of a separate nation? If the Confederacy was a belligerent power, how could its leader be tried for treason? These unresolved questions contributed to the government's decision to release him on bail in 1867.
After his release, Davis refused to request a pardon or take an oath of allegiance, maintaining until his death that secession had been constitutional. He traveled abroad, wrote his memoirs, and eventually became president of an insurance company. Though he never regained his citizenship during his lifetime, he remained a powerful symbol of the Confederate cause until his death in 1889.
Historical Context
The creation of the Confederate States of America emerged from decades of mounting sectional tensions between North and South. The Missouri Compromise of 1820, the Nullification Crisis of the 1830s, and the Compromise of 1850 all represented attempts to balance competing visions of America's future, particularly regarding slavery's expansion into new territories.
The 1850s brought escalating conflicts as the Kansas-Nebraska Act's principle of popular sovereignty led to violent confrontations. The Dred Scott decision, John Brown's raid on Harper's Ferry, and Lincoln's election in 1860 without a single Southern electoral vote created a political atmosphere where many Southerners believed their economic and social institutions faced existential threats. Within this climate, South Carolina's decision to secede in December 1860 triggered a cascade of withdrawals from the Union, culminating in the formation of the Confederate States of America.
Did You Know?
Jefferson Davis's wife, Varina, privately expressed doubts about secession and the Confederacy's chances of success in letters to family members.
The original Confederate capital in Montgomery was chosen partly because of its central location among the first seven seceding states, but the city's limited facilities and hot climate led to the capital's relocation to Richmond.
After his release from prison, Davis visited Canada and Europe, later becoming president of a life insurance company in Memphis, though he refused to take an oath of allegiance to restore his U.S. citizenship.
Today’s Reflection
Jefferson Davis's farewell address to the United States Senate stands as a sobering reminder of how precious unity is and how painful its loss can be. His speech was not just a political formality. It was a man saying goodbye to the nation he had served as a soldier, congressman, senator, and cabinet member. His decision to stand with Mississippi meant walking away from everything he had known, the life he had built, and the nation he still loved.
The issues at stake were deeply moral and political, touching the very fabric of the nation's identity and leading to a war that divided families, communities, and churches. Yet even those who most strongly disagreed with Davis and his cause were moved by the gravity of that moment, as bonds that once seemed unbreakable were severed in dramatic fashion.
At the heart of the moment, of course, was a national fracturing with consequences that still shape our country today. But division is not just a matter of history or politics. It is a reality we encounter in our own lives, in our churches, families, and friendships. We may not stand in a Senate chamber witnessing the breaking of a nation, but we feel the weight of fractured relationships, strained communities, and the growing divides in our culture.
Church congregations splinter over worship styles. Families struggle under the burden of political disagreements. Social media arguments turn friends into enemies. The possibility for divisiveness these days sometimes feels endless. Yet division was never God's design for His people. Scripture repeatedly calls us to unity, reminding us that discord is not only painful but also destructive.
True community reflects God's heart, and when it is broken, something of His purpose is lost.
The psalmist's words echo with profound truth: "How good and pleasant it is when God's people live together in unity!" Psalm 133:1 (NIV)
The Hebrew word used for unity here implies more than just agreement. It speaks of a deep, genuine connection that transcends our differences.
Christians today are walking through an increasingly divided world. Everywhere we turn, there is tension. We hear it in conversations. See it in headlines. Feel it in our relationships. The divisions are real, and they can cut deep.
Sometimes they stem from genuine convictions, moments when we believe we must stand firm in our faith. Other times, they grow out of misunderstandings, pride, or an unwillingness to extend grace. Either way, the damage is done. Relationships break, trust erodes, and what once felt strong becomes fragile. But far too often, we do not stop to consider the cost of broken fellowship until it is too late.
Unity does not mean we will always agree. It does not mean we have to abandon our convictions or pretend that differences do not exist. The early church wrestled with serious disagreements over issues like dietary laws and cultural practices. They had real struggles, just as we do today. Yet they remained committed to the truth that their bond in Christ was stronger than their personal perspectives. They chose to stay in fellowship, to work through their differences, and to prioritize the kingdom of God over their own preferences. That remains our challenge today.
How do we walk in unity with fellow believers when we see things differently?
How do we pursue peace without compromising truth?
The path to unity requires humility. It takes more listening than speaking. It calls for a willingness to understand before insisting on being understood. It means recognizing that the person we disagree with might have something we need to hear.
Sometimes it requires us to ask hard questions. Is this a matter of biblical truth or personal preference? Is this an essential issue of faith or a place where we need to show grace?
Unity does not mean avoiding difficult conversations, but it does mean handling them with love, patience, and a heart that seeks peace.
God never intended for His people to be divided. His church was designed to be a reflection of His love, a body made up of different members working together for His glory. Think of an orchestra. Each instrument has a unique sound, but when they play together, they create something beautiful. That is how the church should be. When we pursue unity without forcing uniformity, we become a powerful testimony to a fractured world. The love of Christ is greater than any difference, and when we live that truth, we show the world what real reconciliation looks like.
Practical Application
Take time this week to identify a relationship or community where division exists. Write down specific ways you might be contributing to that division through your words, actions, or attitudes. Then, choose one concrete step toward unity you can take this week, whether reaching out to someone you've disagreed with, actively listening to a different perspective, or examining your own heart for pride or unforgiveness. Consider starting with small gestures that demonstrate a willingness to maintain fellowship despite differences.
Closing Prayer
Heavenly Father, we thank You for the gift of unity and the beauty of Your design for Your people to live and work together in harmony. Forgive us for the times we have allowed pride, misunderstanding, or unwillingness to listen create divisions in Your body. Give us humble hearts to seek understanding before judgment, wisdom to know when to stand firm and when to extend grace, and courage to take steps toward reconciliation where possible. Help us become agents of unity in our families, churches, and communities, reflecting Your heart for Your people. In Jesus' name, Amen.
Final Thoughts
While today marks Jefferson Davis's historic inauguration as Confederate president, it was his earlier farewell to the Senate that offers us profound insights about division and unity. His departure from that chamber reminds us that division carries a cost far beyond the immediate moment of separation. In our own lives and communities, the path to unity often requires us to value relationship above being right, to listen before speaking, and to recognize that genuine fellowship can exist even amid honest differences. When God's people pursue unity with humility and grace, we offer hope to a fractured world.
THIS IS THE DAY Last Year
Author’s Notes
Today seems like a good time for a quick note to our newer readers. If you're wondering why our historical event of the day is Jefferson Davis becoming president of the Confederacy, yet Today’s Reflection focuses on his farewell to the Senate, you're not alone. This question comes up often (or something very similar).
While the historical event always marks something that happened on this day in history, the lesson often draws inspiration from the surrounding details. The event serves as a starting point, not a strict boundary. Limiting reflections only to the event itself would quickly lead to writer's block or endless repetition. I work hard to keep each lesson as fresh and meaningful as my skills allow. I hope you understand and forgive the small creative leeway I allow myself in this regard.
Also, in case you missed it, the tintype photograph of Jefferson Davis (with his wife) shows him at approximately 52 years old. And it was taken before the war even began! In the Mathew Brady portrait at the top, he is around 50, which happens to be about the same age as I am. I know life was much harder back then, but I was still astonished when I learned his age.
It’s a striking reminder of how the weight of history isn’t just found in books; it’s often visible in the faces of those who lived through it. I wonder what future generations will think of our photographed faces.
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Jefferson Davis should have listened to his wife...
I visited Fort Monroe a few years back. Davis was forced to live with a large American flag in his cell, which is now on display.
Black Hawk was briefly held in Fort Monroe after the Black Hawk War. He'd surrendered to then Lieutenant Jefferson Davis.