Davis hung around hoping to get arrested, so the courts could try the secession case. But he did not want secesion like some of the others, he just as you said rattled his saber alot until it happened and then he had to go with it. His wishes were to get a Generalship, which he did at the beginning. Major General of Mississippi militia, but fate called and he answered.

Deo Vindici Deo(GOD) will Vindici(Vindicate)

It was the Latin motto of of the Confederate States of America