Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1883-03-03
LETTER FROM Elk PRESIDENT JEFFERSON



torics Society. He then read the following letter
from Hon. Jefferson Davis expressing regret that
he was unable to attend this lecture:
LETTER FROM Elk PRESIDENT JEFFERSON
DAVIS.
John H. Murray, Esq, Secretary, etc.:
DEAR sIR.-Accept my thanks for your very kind
and complimentary letter of the 2ist instant For
many reasons II would be most gratifying to me to
be present with you at the proposed meeting on
the 2Tth instant to receive Gen. FitZhugh Lee. In
few things do feel more cordial interest than
in the success OF the Southern Historical Society.
Il Is sacred duty to collect and preserve the evil
dence of the magnanimous conduct of our people
in the defense OF the rights their fathers sssred
by the of the Revolution, and whi-A The CON
siitutional Union was formed, MOI - destroy, but
to preserve Though unsuceeSaunt, IA Tue s1ort 70
truth and justice on lSaSch theyrsst remains IN.
s5sssn Be made so compete Al and and
enduring that those who come after us
shall not be misled by Misrepresentation
and suppression of facts; this is tue nigh duty
which the society is striving to perform. To Sc
cure the means needful for that purpose, Gen.
Fitzhugh Lee has undertaken the laborious task
of visiting our people and telling them a story of
the var, of which, like 1Eneas, he can say: "An
OF which saw" and others may add: "a great
der engaged in so honorable and patriotic
task, we'll deserves the attention which it is your
purpose to bestow. and 1 renew the expression of
regret that circumstances beyond my control do
not permit me to be with you on the occasion of
JEFFERSON DAVIS.
WHAT COL. JOHNSTON AND THE REV. MR..
JONES SAID.
Mr.. Lyman then introduced Col. VIM. Preston
Johnston preside of the meeting.
Col Johnston said that in being called to pre-
side over this meeting, held in such sacred cause
under the auspices of the two great armies of the
Confederacy the two great luminaries of the great
cause, he felt that he enjoyed an honor which
would live with him for all the rest of his life
There was nothing left of the cause for which
they fought save its memories and its honor, and
to preserve these from the touch of SANDER and
the tongue of defamation was the object of the
Southern Historical Society. He hailed with great
satisfaction tn presence and cooperation of this
Rev. J. William Jones. OF Richmond, Va, secre-
tary of the Southern Historical Society
Mr. Jones said that the work OF collecting and
perpetuating the records of the southern struggle
was commenced in New Orleans but had been
transferred to Richmond as. a point more con-
venient to the chief localities of the war. The
Legisl- ture of Virginia has appropria ed to the
OF the society rooms in the slateicaptol there
where the archives aud records of the society are
safe from destruc lion. The speaker in some de-
tail set forth interpretations of the society," and he
mentioned an Incident showing how prominent
Northern clergyman, visiting Richmond, after
reading the pes OF the society on the subject of
the exchange OF prisoners, had declared that the
ports that had been circulated about the matter.
He also related several such incidents, and he de-
clared that these records, now quite vOluminous
and valuable, are at the service of the public 10
give the facts OF the Southern side of the He
also called the soldiers of Louisiana who served
own personal experiences, so that there might be
erected the monument OF truth more enduring
than bronze or marble.
Col w. Preston Johnston then introduced Gen.
Fitzhugh Lee the las. cavalry chief OF the Army
OF Northern Virginih, Suceeeding the brilliant J.
T. B. Stuart