One of the things I enjoy most is the opportunity to meet with children and talk about the only president the Confederacy had.

It is good that kids with inquiring minds want to listen and hear about President Jefferson Davis. Unfortunately it doesn't happen often enough as times and public opinion have changed. We and I should be doing more to talk about one of America's truly outstanding giants.

Had the life of President Davis ended before the War Between the States, he would have have been treated as a giant in American history, the third giant in a series of constitutionalists that began with Thomas Jefferson, continued with John Calhoun who personally chose Jefferson Davis to carry the torch of constitutional liberty beyond his own time.

One could easily divide Jefferson Davis' life into three separate and distinctive biographies. This article will deal with only the first two, American Patriot and American Statesman. The final biographical summary, Confederate President, we'll save for later.

His young life was as an American patriot, soldier and hero of the Mexican War where he almost died on the battlefield at Buena Vista, a crucial battle in the war. He led his troops to an unexpected victory against overwhelming odds.

Following the battle of Monterey it was determined Colonel Davis would negotiate the terms of surrender with General Santa Anna of Mexico. Formal arrangements for the surrender itself and the signing kept being delayed. Finally, early one morning Colonel Davis got the word to meet with General Santa Anna for the official surrender. Having no notice Colonel Davis dressed and was leaving alone, without escort for the Mexican camp, when his friend, Albert Sidney Johnson, found out what was happening he insisted on accompanying him. There was no time for dressing as Colonel Davis was leaving. Albert S. Johnson boarded his horse with no blouse but his red underwear was glaring in the sun as the two Americans accepted the surrender of Mexico and the end of the Mexican War.

Upon his return from the war he married which was shortly followed by the tragic death of his young bride, Sara Knox Taylor, daughter of General and President Zachary Taylor. The first biography would conclude with the almost a decade in semi social solitude in the development of his property in Mississippi.

The second biographical summary could correctly be titled American Statesman. From the obscurity of a quiet planter's life rose a respected public servant who became a leader in Washington and the anchor of the constitutionalists in the federal government. He was the bulwark of the Democratic party in the U. S. Senate. It was also during this period he met and married a young bride from Natchez, Varina Howell.

President Franklin Pierce of New Hampshire actually pressured Mr. Davis to become Secretary of War. Whole volumes have been written about his accomplishments in this one role. Here are a few condensed highlights.

He appointed Robert E. Lee as Superintendent at West Point.

He raised army pay and provided improved housing.

He increased by about one third the army of the United States, and for commanders of new regiments he appointed Robert E. Lee and Albert Sidney Johnson, both classmates at West Point. He changed infantry tactics to formations that are still being used today.

Mr. Davis provided for the first U. S. Geological Survey from which the basis of much of the development of the entire country began.

He was the catalyst behind the Gadsden Purchase. Much history tries to overlook this 45,535 square miles acquired from Mexico for 56 cents a square mile.

He fought for an arranged voluntary funding for a national museum which was called the Smithsonian Institute.

In an effort to observe changes in warfare, Secretary Davis sent a rising officer by the name of McClellan as his observer to the Crimean War.

He worked with the army engineers for development of the Cabin John Aqueduct in Washington, which developed canals and water supply that is partially operational today as is the Cabin John Bridge. A plaque honoring him at the bridge was removed by Abraham Lincoln. Theodore Roosevelt later replaced it.

He developed the first plans for an intercontinental railway system. A comparison of his original route map and the system later developed is almost identical.

Secretary Davis is constantly chided by critics for the introduction of camels to the western frontier in areas where horses were impractical. The camels worked and the army was able to traverse distances of desert wilderness for years to come by doubling and tripling travel time and reducing the need for a huge travelling grain supply.

In strengthening the U. S. Army, he introduced new weapons, including repeating rifles and minnie balls.

Moved the manufacture of arms from lobbyists to War Department control.

Developed the first national armory on the West coast.

Personally directed the enlargement of he U. S Capitol including the dome as it exists today.

No credible historian will refute the fact that Jefferson Davis was the undisputed leader of the Pierce administration. This fact is supported by the effort of many Northern Democrats to urge Mr. Davis to be the 1860 Candidate for president. Leading this effort was Benjamin Butler, of Massachusetts. Mr. Davis declined in favor of his fellow Kentuckian, John Breckenridge. Despite his refusal to run, he was nominated and had the votes at the Democratic Convention of the Massachusetts delegation. Other delegations, including Connecticut, were prepared to support him.

The question still begs, what would have happened if he had run and mended the four way split in the Democratic party? Would Mr. Davis and the Northern and Southern Democrats have defeated the newly formed Republicans and Abraham Lincoln? If so, would history have been changed and America's deadliest war been averted?

Finally, when you really want to honor President Davis and the Confederacy----particularly to critics----ask of the two men who led their countries against each other in conflict, which was the real racist? Defy anyone to furnish racist quotes as by Lincoln with Jefferson Davis.

Happy Birthday, Mr. President Davis.

Jeff Davis is a retired radio-TV journalist living in Gainesville, GA. He voluntarily serves as Chairman of the Georgia Heritage Coalition. He is a collateral descendant of President Jefferson Davis.