The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1875-09-01
nd Ashev1lle Rail- Inho \, ..
nv northern Press and Mr.. Davis

The leading Northern journals. have
very generally commended the toneo OF
Mr.. Davis letter withdrawing his ac-
ccptancc to address the agricultural So
ciety in Illinois, at the same time, that
they regret the accusation which made
such 4 letter necessary. The NcD York
Ttknc, while commencing the
thoughtful courtesy of Mr.. Davis, says
sit is better for all concerned that we
should have this letter (reyoking his
acceptance of the invitation to. address
the society," instead of an address from
the President of the late Confcderacy."
The Herald thinks that he could not
have done otherwise than to decline, at
the same time that he aXpectcd too
much in supposing that all the fools in
the West were dead, and that his ad-
dress would have excited TO opposition.
1t pays him the compliment of saying
mo man in the country was better
qualified for the task, and the letter
shows that the interests of the West and
the Southwest would have been benc-
fitted 10y the full expression Of his views.
Both sections must gain by promoting
mutual confidence and cOintclligence,
and in calling attention to this fact Mr..
Davis has done much toward the resto-
ration of better feeling, and, while we
regrel that he is not to have the oppor-
tunity to make the address that he had
contemplated, we are pleased that the
OCCASION Of the invitation was turned To
such excellent account. His letter is
frank end manly, and must 10 good,
especially in the North.
The PhiIatlclphia Times says:
"Mr. Davis withdrew his acceptance
because of the protest against the eX-
tension Of the invitation, and with Il
desire to promote the interests of the
society and to avoid Il apretcXt for appeal
ing to party passions. His course is rs
creditahle as that of the organs who
have howled themselves hoarse over the
subject, has been inccndiury. Had he
gone to Winncbago, the probability is
lie would have made q very sensible adj
dress, and told his hearers great many
things they did not know before"
The Ncw York Sun says:
"The letter which we published yes
tcrday from Jefferson Davis to the Win
nebago County Agricultural Society, is
marked by dignity, Intelligence, and q
sentiment of patriotism 1t docs credit
to its author; and without containing q
single word in condemnation OF those
who have violently opposed and pre-
vented his contemplated visit to Illinois
it leaves thom in an uncnviable position
We take pleasure in saying these words
on such an occasion.
We are glad that Mr.. Davis regarded
it his duty to decline, and that he did
so in letter so temperate, courteous and
judicious. The chief object of his visit
was to remove sectional prejudice and
to promote kindly relations by persona
intercourse, but when he saw that TIL:
was to be defeated by the storm of Radl
cal opposition, he could not do other
wise than gracefully to withdraw. II
certainly leaves his enemies in no cnvl
able position, and deprives them of any
prctcnce of charging the South with in
tolerance. Free speech thas been guar
antccd through the length and tho
breadth of the South to Northern men
and here is specimen Of Northern re
ciprocity.