The Dallas daily herald. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1873-1887, 1875-05-19
TIE RELEAaE or HON, JEFFERSON
DAyIb.


DAVIS.
The subJoined speech was delivered
In 1867, before large audience of stu.
dents and citizens, after the release Of
Mr., Davis from Fort Monroe, The
speaker, j, s, Az now resIdentor this
city, was then u school boy IN hls
twelfth year Although only a boys
production, II may serve TO show to
Mr. Davis, II he should happen TO SEQ
II, how enthusiastic was the devotion
Of the young Of those days to the leader
Of cause which they loved and re-
vered:
The grateful news has Just flushed
along the Geographic wires that Jellcr-
Aon Davis has, at last been released
from his long conllnemei In Fortress
Monroe. For two long and wearlsome
years has this martyr for southern
rights langulshed In the dungeons OF
that terrible place, where, during por-
ton Of the time, he, n heightened,
southern gentleman, was manacled ana
chained like n culprlt guilty Of the
basest criminal oilenses. The heavy
tread of armed soldiers, the hourly re-
lief Of scntlnels, and lamp kept burn
ing every hour Of the night, forever
broke the litful slumbers Of the weary
prisoner.
With u constitution shattered by dis
ease, and mind saddened by the
gloom overhanging his country, on
whose altar he had pledged his life, his
honor lies all. The cOarscst prison
fare andprison, couch were illy-calculat.
ed TO restore his bodily strength, so
that for many months his life hung
but by thread,
No loving wife or children ever shed
in his prison cell the rays of tender
ness and ailectlonate care, aud scarce.
ly was the sun permitted TO cheer the
solitude with its genial beams. Sad
and lonely dragged the day and Sleep
less night. Racked with pain and vast
ing with fever, he turned for hope and
consolation only to the book of God.
Twas well for him that n christians
faith and hope were TO him shield
and armor against all the demoniac de-
vices OF his cowardly enemies. But
what was the crime so great rs to de-
serve such cruel and humilitating pun
ishment? Why, if accused of any
crime known TO the laws, was he not
brought to trial rs soon rs arrested ?
His crime was the same as Washing
tons. IL was to free his country from
n hateful tyranny but, unlike Wash
ington, he failed hence the one is inn
m0rtalized rs II hero, and called the
father of his cOuhtry, while Davis is
stigmatized as q traitor and rebel.
This, say, may possibly be the char
acter given TO him by the historian
who gathers his facts and forms his
opinions from northern sources of in
telligence yet, with the people of the
south, for whose cause he suffered and |
lost, his memory will ever be revered.
His life has been spent from early |
manhood, in serving his country, in
the field and in the council. None |
knew him but as brave soldier, pro-
found statesman, or high-toned and !
christian gentleman. His enemies
may persevere to heap upon his head
the hitterest revelings, charge him
with the horrors of Anders0nville, and
the murder of prisoners, yet his coun-
trymen of the south know well
that his voice was forever on
the side of mercy-no hatred
or indicative spirit was ever
exhibited in word or action. Conscious
of his own honorable principles and
the saeredness of the "lost cause,n JEFF.
Davis will stand forth in future annals
as the purest patriotof his day, and APP
pear even more conspicuous in con-
trast with the leading men Oh the enc
my's side, many of whom have forever
their names with their rapaci-
ty, vindictiveness and cruelty to help
less women and children.
And, though no laurels wreathe his aged
brow,
Or dazzling pageant walt on his return;
Nowhere he meets the sycophantic bow,
Dr. looks in vain for words that burn
With incense offered to successful deeds,
Dr. praise that man to the hero yields
And, though no joyous shouts assail the
ear
)f brilliant vic'tries DER his ruthless foes,
His virtuous sufrrings but the more endear
The noble martyr for his country's woes.
Iong will the stricken south his name revere,
A md shed upon his tomb grateful tear.