The Idaho world. [volume] (Idaho City, Idaho Territory) 1864-1918, 1872-08-01
NUMBER 40.
A CONTRAST.
DAVIS AND LEE AND THE GREAT UNITED STATES
.GIFT-TAKER.

AS specimen of the differet stuff that pub
hc men may be made of, we copy the follow
ing pointed contrast It's from the Richmond
correspondence of the Cincinnati Commercial.
1t leaves no little room for the reader as the
letter writer suggests, to draw the contrast
for himself. Through every line about the re-
fusal of Lee and Davis to take gifts, stands
out the base contrast of the Seneca-G Gift En-
terprise:
Back of the Capitol, on Marshall street,
stands large residence, one of the finest in
| Virginia. 1t occupies commanding position,
known as President Hill. This house was
built many years ago by a wealthy gentleman
named Brockenborough. He aspired to have
the most costly and beautiful residence and
surroundings in Richmond. and to that end
spared neither money nor pains. The grounds
were laid out in beautiful style, trayersed by
graveled walks and adorned by statuary and
fountains. ~
When the capital of the Confederacy was
renewed from Montgomery to Richmond, the
City Council here proposed to do something
handsome for president Davis;' so they
bought the Brockenborough residence, with the
intention of presenting it to him. When he
arrived here from Montgomery the city author
tiles had gone so far as to pay for the proper
ty, and had the title vested in Mr.. Davis A
formal presentation Of the property was then
made by the City Council. when much to their
surprise aad notification he respectfully, yet
firmly, refused the present He warmly
than.ed the city authorities in this behalf, yet
he could not, consistent with his own self-res-
pect and the dignity of his Office, accept the
gift The city, however, refused to take the
property back, and for time there was
quandary. Mr.. Davis however, held out firm
nd Of Of fbo fforx b,,
an agreement on the part of the city to become
the owner of the property, and an agreement
by Davis to live in it during his term of office.
His term was cut off by the operations Of
the Federal army, and has never been filled
out The property now belongs to the city,
and is used for school purposes.
| don't wish to draw any contrast between
the conduct OF jeff. Davis and Grant in the
matter of accepting houses and lots as gifts,
but the reader can do SO for himself.
After gazing at the rectangular, three storied,
succeed pile before mentioned, thinking of
the hopes and fears, disappointments, sor-
rows and joys that must have successfully in
habited the breast of the rebel president while
he inhabited the city's three story house, I
passed on to take look at the residence oc-
cupied by General Lee during the war, and
yet known as the "Lee house." 1t is plain
IHree-SlOFy Drlck Ouldlng NO.
707 Franklin street and is now occupied by
Mrs. George Davis Whether it was the prop
erty of Lee or not / do not know, but at all
events he occupied it. AT the beginning of the
war number of wealthy citizens of Rich
nond made up handsome sum of money to
buy General Lee house suited to his station
and rank. But he refused to accept the prof.
Tered present. and the money was refunded to
the subscribers. Here we have two instances
Of refusals to accept houses and lots by two of
The most prominent men in the late Confed-
eracy. In the light of our Presidents con-
luct these two old Confederates were great
oCls.