Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1868-09-02
FALSE PRIDE.

Undoubtedly one Of the great draw backs to
the prosperity Of the South in the past has been
the false-pnde which looked upon labor, work
with the hands, as something dsgraeeful and
humilia'ing. Better ideas in this respect have
taken root there of late years with healthful
results, but occasionally an exhibition of the
old feeling crops out. There is a curious
illustration of this In a Political Pamphlet''
issued oy Z. A. Pollard, IN which he abuses
Jefferson Davis without stint because the
latter. according to report, is about to enter as
partner in n commercial house IN Liverpool.
Mr.. Pollard seems to think that there is
degradation in trade as well as In hard
labor. He accuses Mr.. Davis with hay.
ing "bargsined his historical heroism for
certain benefits OF trade" and thinks sit is
almost impossible TO credit such prostitution of
historical dignity" This, Mr.. PolIards urges,
rs most conclusive Illustration of the s.Iittle.
ness and meanness to which the Confederate
Chief has sunk" That the Confederate leader
should soil his hands with trade horrifies Mr.
Pollard to the last degree. sBetter,'' exclaims
DIR. p ssfor Mr.. Davis fame if he had died in
the romantic martyrdom Of Fortress Monroe ~
''He has been released from prison only to ex.
hibit the dregs of character essentially selfish
and mean" Jefferson Davis earning his bread
by the sweat of his brow, or mixing his fingers
IN commercial pursuits, The more Mr.. Pol.
lard thinks about the less he likes il. And
again he pitches in. Says Mr.. Pollard, sThe
former ruler of the Southern Confederacy and
the present commission merchant Of Liverpool
has made himself the ruin of his country and
the scandal of his age"
This is harsh language, but MT. Pollard has
yet bitterer words in store, and proceeds to
eIaculate Shame upon the man, blistering
mark upon the caItiff; curses upon the wretch
who has done this paltry and fiagitious thing,
Now, this seems certainly very superfine
idea OF honor and respectability. According
to Dir. Pollard's notion il would have been
more TO the credit OF Jefferson Davis to follow
life of idleness, dependent upon charity, or
the Offerings" OF the public, as in the case Of
the dIgnified Mr.. Dorritt, for bread for himself
and family, rather than seek an honest liyeli.
hood by his own labors. II will strike all sen.
sible people, even those who sympathize with
the "lost cause, that Mr.. DAVIS is doing a COM
mendable thing in determining to rely upon
ms own exertions for a livelihood. Indeed, the
most commendable feature in the history of
many OF the Confederate Generals was the
manly good sense shown by them al the end of
the war In seeking any honest business
pursuit for livelihood within their
reach. They put on no fine airs of being
entitled to be drones in society. Gem
eral Lee entered at once upon the duties of
pedagogue, dull and uncongenial indeed in
contrast with his bri liant military career.
Another distinguish ed Confederate General
TOOK the management of an Express Company
Others entered upon pursuits still more In con-
trast with their late ayocation Of arms They
deserved and received commentator for turn
ing their backs upon the dead past and accom-
mooaung themselves to the altered condition
OF analrs with cheerful philosophy. They
went TO work at whatever their hands found to
do. This is the true American idea. and the
men of the Pollard school must come to accent
NJ