The daily citizen. [volume] (Asheville, N.C.) 1889-1890, 1889-12-14
MIR. DAVIS PASTOR
TALKS OF THE LIFE OF THE
DEAD STATESMAN.

| \
He has no Doubt of his Thorough
and Sincere Piety--AsISinE Leave
of MIR. Lincoln to Visit Him In
| Prison.
Richmond Dispatch
DR.. Minnigcrode said that the first
time he ever saw President Davis was
when the latter arrived here from Mont
gomery and stopped at the Spotswood
hotel. The acquaintance grew into
friendly intercourse. Joy and sorrow
Joined them together. The last time the
Doctor saw him was in Atlanta.
"Mv wife and l." said he, went there
on visit, not knowing that it was to
be he day of the unvciling of the statute
of Hon. B. II. Hill on which occasion
Mr.. Davis delivered the Grafton. We ar
rived too late to hear him speak, but"
said DR.. Minnigerode, II called on him
in the afternoon, and upon giving my
name at the door, the lady ushered me
without ceremony into Mr. Davis room
When he looked up and saw me *
sprang from the sofa and clasped me in
his arms"
said the Doctor.
Upon parting Mr.. Davis expressed the
fear that they would never meet again
on earth.
The Doctor expressed his gratitude
that he had been called upon t" deliver
this address. He felt sure that no flow
ers of rhetoric were expected from him /;
but only that in his humble position he
should lay a wreath OF loving remem.
brance upon his friends tomb.
DR.. Minnigerode believed that his
friend had obtained a crown brighter
than earth can give, and he paid lofty
tribute to Mr.. Davis christian character,
speaking especially of his purity and gen
tleness and his undying love to his neigh
Dor; beginning with his own family and
extending through all gradations.
People, said Dr. Minnigerode, had Of
ten misunderstood Mr.. Davis very much.
He had been spoken of as fire eater"
| Mr.. Davis did not deserve that name,
said the Doctor unless it meant frmness.
truthfulness, conscientiousness. He was
no bravado. He was no demogogue
He yielded to the last necessity in con-
senting to secession. He was naturally
gentle. Conscience ruled him supreme.
There is reason to believe, said the
Doctor, that Mr.. Davis's love and atfcc
ton for Richmond prevented him from
giving up his capital city in time success.
fully to meet the enemy i'll the open field.
Our friendship, said DR.. Minnigerode,
established pleasant intercourse between
us, but | never used that privilege to
meddle with the affairs of the country,
still less for private purposes. At the
tine of the second inauguration. however,
said the speaker, besought him to call
upon God in good earnest. wrote that
the character of the ruler was apt to be-
come the partner of the people. Mr. Da-
Wis never answered my letter but he did
what asked him to do.
Again, when our people were disturbed
by some outrageous act of the enemy
and were camoring for retaliation,
talked with him harmoniously, and he
said: "If our enemies do wrong that is
no excuse for us doing wrong"
All of the following is in DR.. Minnige
rode's own language:
About this time he united himself with
the church. Our intercourse had become
more frequent and turned more and more
on the subject of religion; and his upon
wife 'sadvice Invent to see him on the sub
ect of contessing Christ. He emet me more
than halt way, and professed his desire
to do so, and unite himself with the
church; that he must be a christian he
felt in his inmost soul. He spoke very
earnestly and most humbly of needing
the cleansing blood of Jesus and the pow
er of the Holy Spirit but in Unconscious
ness OF his insutfciency felt some doubt
whether he had the right to come.
All that was natural and right; but
soon 1t settled this question with man
so resolute in doing what he thought his
duty. | baptized him alphabetically,
for he was not certain it he had ever been
baptized. When the day of confirmation
came it was quite in keeping with his res
olute character, that when the Bishop
called the candidate to the chance he
was the first to rise, and, as it were, lead
the others on, among whom were Gener-
al Gorgas and several others.
From that day, so far as | know and
can judge, "be never looked back" He
never ceased trying to come up to his
baptismal vow and led Christian life.
And so he went on bravely and perSever-
ingly, even when it became clear that
hope of success was failing. He could
not leave his post. He did not lose heart.
The cause lost-defeated TOR a tilne-he
felt sure would yet bring forth blessings
upon the country. We know what fol
lowed and what was his crueltate. Here
opens page of noble martyrdom and
patient endurance which none can fully
realize who have not seen it.
Soon after he was arrested and conhn-
ed in Fortress Monroe wrote to Presi-
dent Andrew Johnson petitioning for
permission to visit Mr.. DAVIS, as his pas
tor, and and minister to him.
At Bishop Johnson's advice-rather
against my judgment-it was accompa-
med by no argument, the Bishop saying
that supporting it by an argument
would indicate that it was by the petit
toner himself not looked upon as natu-
raj, right, and proper in itself.
Mr.. Johnson dcigned no answer.
In October following received a COM
munication OF some friends that they
thought the time was favorable to again
make the application.
did so, but this time gave what
thought was a full and unanswerable ar
gument. And it proved so.
Frederick Is too StinGy.