The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1889-01-19
THE CONFEDERATE SEAL.
THE SACRED RELIC PRESENTED TO
SOUTH CAROLINA.
History of Its Adoption by the Confeder-
ate Congress--Part Taken by Senator
Semmes, of Louisiana-His Speech on
the Motto.
From the New orleans picayuno.

From the New orleans Picayuno.
During the past week ii was publicly
announced that the State OF South Carolina
had received through Secretary OF State
J. O. Marshall, the great seal of the Con-
federate States Of America. The presenta-
ton was made by Col. W. l.. Earle, OF
Washington. II was made in England
and reached here just before the close Of
the war. On the
EVACUATION OF RICHMOND
the seal was overlooked. 1t was subse
quently found and turned over TO Col
John r. Pickett, of Washington, who sent
ii to England, where he had several others
made, and some years ago presented Col.
Earle with the relic which he has now
given TO the State OF South Carolina
This is all interesting information, IL is
true, but when il is recalled that Mr. Thos.
j. Semmes. of this city, designed the seal,
while u Confederate Senator from Louisi-
ana, II then becomes entitled to more than
passing mention.
A representatives. the Picdwtne dropped
in on Mr.. Semmes Yesterday morning
when he was quite busy in his law office.
The writer, who desired TO have a chat
with Mr.. Semmes on the subject. was
cordially received.
Mr. Semmes said II always afforded
him pleasure 20 converse on the events Of
the war, particularly the transactions OF
the Confederate Senate. lie was Attorney
General OF Louisiana in 1861. When IL
became necessary 10 elect 10 the Conlcd.
ernte Senate, organized under the new
Constitution, Mr.. Semmcs and Gen. Ed
ward L. Sparrow
WE'RE CHOSEN SENATOR'S
from this State. In drawing for terms, be
drew that for four years, while Gen. Spar.
row drew that for six ycas. This was at
Richmond, Va, in February, 1862.
In speaking Of his services in the Sen.
ate Mr.. Semmes said he was appointed n
member Of the Finance Committee in con-
junction with the Hon. X. NJ. T. Hunter,
OF Virginia, and the Hon. Robert Barn
well, OF South Carolina, and a member OF
the Judiciary Committee, of which tho
Hon. u II. Hill was chairman. lilo was
also chairman Of tho
JOINT COMMITTEE on THE FLAG AND sRAL
OF the Confederate States lie drafted, |
under the direction OF the Hon. X. NJ. +.
Hunter, the tax in kind" bill, which
practically supported the Coniederacy
during thelast two years Of the war.
AS member Of the Finance Committee
he advocated the scaling and calling in Of
the outstanding Confederate currency, on
the ground that the purchasing power Of
the new currency 10 be issued in exchange
would be greater than the total amount Of
the outstanding currency in It's then de.
prcciated condition. lie made report
from the Judiciary Committee adverse To
martial law.
uruS BEISG QuEuioNED
rs IN the seal which he had designed. Mr.
Semnes said IL was a device representing
an equestrian portrait OF Washington
lai,cr the statue which surmounts his
monument in the Capitol SQUARE at Rich
mOndl, surrounded with wreath COM
posciul the principal agricultural products
oil the Coniodcracy, and having around it,
margin the words Confederate States
Of America, 22d February, 1892 with
the motto "nco Nindicc.
la the latter part OF April. 1864. quite
an interesting debate was had on the
adoption OF the motto. Tho House rcso.
lutions fixing the motto rs
"Dro puCE viNCMus'
being considered, Mr.. Scmmcs moved TO
substitute "ncO Nindice hajorcs Emula.
muir" This motto had been suggested by
Prof Alexander Dmitry. Mr.. Scmmcs
thought "DeO Nindirc' sufficient and
preferred Il, lie was finally triumphant.
la this connection 1t h appropriate aud
interesting 10
ErrGonu,E ruu srEEcu
made by Mr. Scmmcs on that occasion. II
was ~ follows
'Mr. President I am instructed by the
committee 10 move 60 strike out the words
'ducc yinccmus' in the motto aud insert
IN lieu thereof the words 'liniicc mai0ps
icmulamur' Under the guidance and
protection Of God We cnlcayur 10 equal,
aud even excel. our ancestors. Before
discussing the proposed change In the
motto, | will submit to the senate lev
remarks q, 10 tho device on the seal
THE committee has been greatly exer-
ciscd on this subject. and Il has been cx.
ucmoly difficult Ia come a. any satisfactory
conclusion. Thu, Il a difficulty. however,
incident 10 the subject, and all that W.
have 10 do "a 81 avoid what Niscpni calls
AN AnsunnrrY ~ nEoNzE'
Tho equestrian statue 81 Washington
has been selected In dciurcnoc 10 the cur.
rent popular sentiment The equestrian
figure Impressed ON our seal win bo re-
yardod 10y thosc skilled IN glypiics o. 20
veriain extent Indicative Of Gur origin. Il
is a most remarkable fact that an cqucs.
tran figure constituted the zeal OF Great
Britain from the time Of E1wlrd the Con.
lessor down tothc reign n George III. OK.
cupi during Tie short interval oi the prD.
teCi0uic 81 Cromwell, when tho
rmAL or uE KING
WIS substituted Zoe the man on horseback.
Even Cromwell retained the equestrian
hgurc on the seal Of Scotland. but hr char.
ENTHUSIASTICALLY mounted himself ON the
hoTsc. In iho reign Of William and Mary
The seal bore the impress of thc King and
Queen both mounted ON horseback
washington hla been selected a. the
omblcm ior our shield, ~ a typo oi our an.
crtOrs, Ia his character 0f prnccln miil.
rum Ia addition 10 this. the equestrian
figure Is consccnied IN the hearts vi our
own people hy The local circumstance that
On tho gloomy aud stormy 92d Of Fobm.
wy' lsS2, our permanent government
NtsFrrIN NOTION
by The Inauguration ut President Davis
nndcr ihc shallow OF the statue OF Wash.
ingion.
'lhc committee are dis 1iiaGsd with tho
motto On the seal proposed hy thc lluuso
resolution The motto proposed be- ns nl.
lows 'Dco Duco NncsmnF Under the
leadership Of God We will conquer.
The eord ''luog' Is too pagan In ~