The Fairfield herald. [volume] (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1849-1876, 1875-08-25
Jefferson Davis and the North,

Some time since. Mr.. II. p. Kim
ball, secretary of tho Winnebago
(1ll.) Agricultural Association, be"
lieving that now era of friendship
between the North and South was
dawning, and that ho should aid iu
bringing it about, invited ex-Presic
dent Davis to address the visitors to
the next County fair. Mr.. Davis,
courteously accepted. Mr.. Kimball
then made the following announce
ment.
"The Hon. Jefferson Davis will
attend our exposition in September
and deliver tho annual address. His
visit is no political errand he oom es
relying on our honor, re-uniting bis
aspirations with ours to make this
great republic again the grandest
commonwealth of the globe, and to
pay n handsome tribute 10 the pros
gross and thrift of our agriculture
We have confidence in the ohivalry
and Christian sentiment of our poo
pie; we do not believe in tha.
patriotism that displays itself il
fostering a grudge. We believe that
oil Glasses will accord Mr.; Davis a
cordial reception, and in doing so
retiect credit upon our city and com.
munity, and illustrate the spirit of
the Divine Master"
This announcement breathes o
truly fraternal spirit, highly credita.
BILE to Mr.. Kimbsll. But unfortu
nately Wiunebago contains lot OF
fools and bigots who raised fearful
howl at the idea of having any con.
nection with Mr.. Davis. A division
ofthe "Grand Army Of the Ropub.
lio," composed chiefly Of cx-bummers
and politicians, passed. a series Of
most insulting resolutions, declaring
1t to bo an insult "to invite tho arch
traitor, Jefferson Davis, to address
tho relatives and surviving friends
of thirteon thousand men murdered
at Andersonville alone by his or.
dera," and that they will not attend
the fair or aid it, if tho Board per.
sist in bringing forward "this arcb
traitor and coward ..
On this subject we oan say moth.
ing more proper than is contained
in the following editorial of tho. New
York Horald.
"When wo heardthat Mr.. Davis
had accepted the invitation to visit
Illinois and deliver an agricultural
address we were gratified. 1t was a
kindly thing on the part of the far.
mers of Illinois to invite Mr.. Davis.
1t was q courteous thing for tho
ex.President of tho Confederacy to
accept it. A good deal Of bitterness
that belongs to tho recent war un
Justly centres around the person of
Mr.. Davis. This movement of the
Grand Army of the. Republic is oil
illustration Of this injustice. If
y etferson Davis is an unwelcome
guest at Northern agricultural fair
then no other Southernor who fought
in tho war oan DO Welcomed. We do
not see where the members Of the
Grand Army of the Republic draw
the line between Jefferson Davis and
General Longstreet, unless in this
that Mr.. Davis preferred to cherish
tho convictions with which ho entor-
cd tho rebellion, while General
Longstrcet, with moro wisdom and
has accepted tho doctrines
Of tho republican party. Mr.. Davis
vas no more responsible for the 70.
bellion in tho South than any onesof
. thousand other men. In fact, be-
'oro tho war, while the question of
recession was under discussion, no
vas among tho moro moderate of tho
Southern leaders. There were
wonty mombers and Senators in
he Congress which preceded the