Fayetteville observer. [volume] (Fayetteville, Tenn.) 1850-1966, 1872-08-15
A AContrast-.Davis and Lee
and the Great United
states Gift -Taker.

- SI9CO0 - "a - ~S~%
As specimen Of the diferenI
stuff that public men may be made
of, we copy the following pointed
contrast. 1t is from the CORES
pondence of the Cincinnati Com
mercal radical, and it leaves no
little room for the reader, as the
letter writer suggests, 70 draw the
: contrast for himself. Through
every line about the refusal of
Lee and Davis to take gifts, stands
out the base contrast of the Sene-
ca Gift Enterprise.
Back Of the capitol, on Mar
shaI street, stands a large resi-
Idence, one Of the finest in Virgin
ia. 1t occupies commanding
position, known as President Hill.
This house was built many years
ago by a wealthy gentleman
named BrGckenbrOugh. He as
pired to have the most costly and
beautiful residence and surround
ingS in Richmond, and to thas
end spared neither money nor
pains. The grounds were laid,
cut in beautiful style, traversed
by graveled walks, and adorned
by statuary and fountains.
When the capital of the Con-
federacy was removed from Mont
gomery to Richmond, the city
council here proposed to do some
thing handsome for 'President
Davis : so they bought the Brock
enbrough residence, with the in
tention of presenting it to him.
When he arrived here from Mont
gomery the city authorities had
gone so far as to pay for the prop
erty, and had the title vested IA
Mr.. Davis. A formal presenta-
ton of the property was then
made by the city council, when,
much to their surprise and mor.i-
fcatiOn, he respectfully yet firmly
refused the present. He warmly
thanked the city authorities in,
this behalf, yet he could not, con.
sistent with his own seli-respect
and the dignity of his office, ac-
cepr the gift. The city, however,
refused to take The property back,
and for a time there was a guam
1ary. Mr.. Davis, however, held
out firmly, and at last the matter
was compromised by an agree
ment on the part of the city to
become the owner of the property,
aud an agreement by Davis TO live.
in it during his term of Office
His term was cut off by the oper-
atoms of the Federal army. and
has never been filled out. The
now belongs to the city,
and is used for school purposes.
| don't wish to draw any con-
-rast between the conduct of JEFF.
Davis and Grant In the matter of
houses and lots as gifts,
but the reader can do so for him.
self.
After gazing at the rectangular.
,hree-storled, succeed pile before
mentioned, thinking of the hopes
and fears, disappoIntments, sor-
rows and joys that must have
'uccessively inhabited the breast
If the rebel president while he
Inhabited the city's three story
house, passed on to take look
1t the residence occupied by Gen.
'ral Lee during the war, and yet
Known as the Lee house." 1t is
| plain uDpretending, three story
brick building, No. .707 Franklin
treet, and is now occupied by Mrs.
George Davis. Whether it was
he property of Lee or not do.
lot know, but at all events he oc-
:upied it. At the beginning of
he war a number of wealthy citi-
ems of Richmand made up
handsome sum of money to buy
General Lee house suited to
is station and rank. But he
efused to accept the profered
and the money was re-
lnded to the subscribers. Here.
Te have two instances of refusals
D accept houses and lots by two
f the most prominent men in the
lte Confederacy. In the light
our presidents conduct, these
70 old Coniederates were great
,cls.