He was not in his heart a Disunionist, as his colleague was.

He would have accepted the nomination for the Vice-Presidency on the ticket with Douglas the preceding year, if the whole political power of the Cotton States had not opposed his wishes and forced him into the support of Breckinridge.
VALEDICTORY OF JEFFERSON DAVIS.
Jefferson Davis expressed his concurrence in the action of the people of Mississippi.

He believed that action was necessary and proper, but would "have felt himself equally bound if his belief had been otherwise." He presented an analysis of the difference between the remedies of nullification and secession.

Nullification was a remedy inside of the Union; secession a remedy outside.

He expressed himself as against the theory of nullification, and explained that, so far from being identified with secession, the two are antagonistic principles.