The Camden journal. [volume] (Camden, S.C.) 1866-1891, 1873-09-18
Jefferson Davis.

Mr.. Davis speech before the Southern
Historical Society has elected from the
Northern and Southern press a great deal OF
comment. The Radical papers are particu-
larly severe upon the views expressed by the
President of the late Confederacy. They
call Mr. Davis traitor, and denounce his
opinions as reasonable and we'll calculated
to foment strife and disloyalty at the South.
Some of our Southern papers are also cha
grined at Mr.. Davis conduct, charging him
with always saying something at the wrong
time and in wrong place. Even that politi-
cal mountebank, Ex-senator Foote, comes to
the surface again, and belabors Mr.. Davis
with bong TRADE of abuse. alleging spirit
of faction on his part which "will bring
more detriment upon the long suffering
South than fifty such men as MIR. Davis
would be able to compensate in century"
This is the veriest nonsense. Mr.. Davis is
citizen of the United States, and as such
he has right to express his opinions and
convictions as the editor of New York Times,
or the editor of the New York Tribune
This persistent denunciation of Southern
men for defending the principles for which
the South contended in the late struggle, is
not calculated to give the impartial and un-
prejudiced mind high estimate Of Northern
Intelligence, valor or magnanimity. If to
pay q tribute to the dead Lee, to express
admiration for the valor Of our men. and the
devotion and virtue of our women be trea-
son, when such sentiments are expressed by
Jefferson Davis, then we fear the spirit of
treason is still rampant throughout the South,
for the dead of the Lost Cause, and the liv-
ing who were Unidentified with it, will live in
the hearts of the people of the new South,
even though this people and these States
may dwell forever under the folds Of the old
flag, and the old Union as formed by the
Fathers of the Republic. That there exists
in any State of the South any organized hos
tility to the Government Of the United States
is too absurd an idea to need refutation that
any portion of our people are traitorously
inclined is mischievous allegation which
bears upon its face its own refutation. Our
people are peaceablc and law.abiding citi-
zens,, zealously devoted to the cause of con-
stitutionsl government-theoretically as well
as practically. At this time and for sometime
to come, however, the culture of cotton and
corn, the building Of factories and mill and
workshops, the construction of railroads, and
the development of our coal fields and iron
mines, are most likely to command the earn
est attention Of all classos Of our poop!o.--'
Our Northern alarmists need, therefore, have
no fear that Mr. Davis, even if he desired
to do so, which he does not, can stir up trea-
son in the South. Mr.. Davis has right to
express his opinions, if he desires to do so,
upon the issues of the day, even though
they should put the whole pack Of fanatical
New England whclps to barking treason
treason
Upon matters of history, connected with
the inception, progress and downfall ofthe
Southern Confederacy, it is eminently pro-
per that the living representatives Of the
Lost Cause should be heard when occasion
requires, and that truthful narrative Of
the struggle for Southern independence
should be given to the world. The time
for che cowardly plea of policy in this re-
spect at least, has passed. TO our mind, it
shows bad taste and worse faith on the part
of Southern newspapers to join in this
Northern hue and cry, begotton of fiendisll
hate, against the fallen leader of the dead
Confederacy. Away then with this slavish
sycophancy and crainging hypocrisy.
Chromc le and Sentinel