Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1866-02-22
THE CEREMONIES AT THE CAPITOL.
Memorial Address on Henry Winter Davis.


The two Houses OF Congress Were not in ses-
sion to-day, and the members were in attend
ance at the ceremonies in the Representative
Hall, which were carried out according TO the
published programme. Among the diStin-
guished audience were Secretaries Stanton and
McCulloch and Governor Fenton, of New
York.
The opening ceremonies having been gone
through with, the Declaration of Independ-
ence was read by Hon. Edward Mcpherson,
Clerk OF the House Of Representatives, after
which the orator of the day, the Hon. J. A. j.
Creswell, of Maryland, proceeded to deliver
the memorial address on the life and character
OF Henry Winter Davis:
GRAFTON OF HON. j. A. j. CREswELL.
The speaker commenced his address by n
glowing tribute 10 the soldier, sage, statesman,
and patriot, George Washington, awarded by
the common consent OF mankind the rncom-
parable title of the Father OF his Country: and
referred to the late ceremonies in honor of i'm
who, as savior or has country, will be counted
the compeer OF Washington.
After other introductory remarks, he gave a
brief biography of his deceased colleague
Henry Winter Davis was born on the 10th of
August, 1917. His father, Rev. Henry Lyon
Davis, of the Protestant Episcopal Church
was president Of st. Johns College, AT Annap-
oils, Md, and rector Of St. AIMS parish, and
was removed from the presidency OF St. Johns
by board of Democratic trustees because o.!
his Federal politics; and, years afterwards, he
gave bis son his only lesson in politics AT the
n
yon College, in this laconic sentence :-s Nv
son. beware of the follies of Jacksonianism.
The mother OF deceased was Jane Brown Win
ter, woman of elegant accomplishments and
OF great sweetness of disposition and purity of
life. She had only two children. Henry Win
ter, and Jane, who married the Rev. Edward
Syle.
The education of Henry Winter began very
early, at home, under the care OF his aunt.
Elizabeth Brown Winter, who entertained the
most rigid and exacting opinions in regard TO
noble woman. He once playfully said, al
could read before L was four years old. though
much against my WILL" Whenshis father was
removed from st. Johns, he Went to Whining
ton, Delaware, but some time elapsed before he
became settled there. Meanwhile, Henry Win
ter remained with his aunt, in Alexandria
Virginia. He afterwards went 10 Whining
ton, and was there instructed under his fathers
supervision. In 1927, his father returned TO
Maryland, and settled in Anne Arundel
county.
After reaching Anne Arundel, Henry Win.
ter became so much devoted to outdoor life
that he gave small promise OF scholarly pro-
hciency. Whilst here he saw much Of slaves
and slavery, and what he saw impressed him
profoundly, and laid the foundation for those
opinions which he so heroically and constant.
ly defended in all his after life. Referring to
this period he said, long afterwards, .smy IA
miliar association with the slaves while a bow
gave me great insight into their feelings and
views. They spoke with freedom before boy
what they would have depressed before q man.
III.
dition; they felt wronged and sighed for free
dom. They We're attached to my father and
loved me, yet they habitually spoke Of the day
when God would deliver them He subse.
quently went to Alexandria, and was sent to
school at Howard, near the Theological Sem
mary. and from Howard he went To KENYON
College in Ohio, in the fall of 1888.
His college life was laborious and uccessful
The regular studies were prosecuted with dill
gence, aId-from them he derived great profit
not merely in knowledge. but in what is of
tlxryt Nnraa rha l.al.a a
mental labor. Speaking of his feelings at the
end of his college life, he sadly said :-.sMy IA
TIERS death had embttered the last days of the
year 1886, and left me without n counselor /
knew something OF books, nothing of men, and
l went forth like Adam among the wild beasts
of the unknown wilderness of the world NY
father bad dedicated me TO the ministry, but
the day had gone when such dedications deter
mined the lives Of young men. Theology as q
grayetopic of historic and metaphysical in yesti.
CATION delighted to pursue, but for the minis
try had no calling. L would have been idle
If i could, for had no ambition, but L had no
fortune and 1 could not beg or starye."
His father left an estate consisting only of
some slaves, which were equaly apportioned
between himself and sister. Frequent applica-
tons were made to purchase his slaves, but he
never could be induced to sell them, although
the proceeds would have en- abled him to pursue
his studies with ease and comfort.
He refused q very advantageous offer to set
tie in Mississippi, remained in Alexandria, and
in 1899 went to the University of Virginia, where
training After a thorough course at the Uni
versity he entered upon the practice Of law in
Alexandria, Va, and on the Both Of October,
1s45, was married to Miss Constance Z. Gardi-
ner, who died two years afterwards In 1850 he
came to Baltimore, and Immediately a hugh
position, professional, social, and political
was awarded him. He became prominent
member of the Wing party, and was every
where known as the brilliant crater and sue
cessful controversial OF the Scott campaign of
1852. Mr.. Davis led of in the American move
ment He was elected successfully to the
Thirty Fourth, Thirty Fifth, and Thirty
Sixth Congresses by the American party
from the fourth district of Maryland. He
supported with great ability and zeal Mr.
Fillmore for the presidency in 1856, and in 1859
accepted John Bell as the candidate of his
party, though he clearly OWNED and plainly
announced that the great battle was really be-
tween Abraham Lincoln, as the representative
Of the national sentiment on the one hand, and