The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1889-12-18
The Press and Banne
Bv HUGH WILSON.
Wednesday, Dec. 18. 1889.
Jefferson Davis.

We presume that no man ever received
more manifestations OF respect and aamira
tion than was shown last week TO Mr.. DAVIS
All over the Southland the church bells
were tolled on the reception of the news OF his
death.
In every town memorial meetings were
held. when tributes to his memory were
made.
Every newspaper wrote its most eloquent
and heartfelt eulogy.
Every individual citizen seemed to vie with
every other citizen In honoripg the dead
chieftain.
None failed to Join In the universal hymn
Of praise, and all heard of his death with pro
found sorrow and with something of u sense
OF personal loss.
- Whatever errors OF judgment may have
been attributed to Mr.. Davis in the past, seem
TO have been forgotten under the shadow ol
death.
Those OF our felIow-citizens who may have
blamed him for errors of Judgment our'hs
our sublime struggle, were none tho less SIN
cere in their heartfelt tribute, than were MS
most ardent admirers.
In their ex pressions Of admiration for his
fidelity TO principle, and their love for his un-
blemshed character. they were rs pronounc
ed ms were those who thought-from the be-
ginning of his public career TO the close oi his
prIyate llfe-that he never committed IN
error.
In Mr.. Daviss death is furnished the striK'
lug fact, that great man, with declded COLI
yictions, and with fiXedness OF purpose, may
command alike the admiration OF friend ana
foe.
While the sorrow Of the South was univer
sui, the more expressed love for him may DC
pnrtly accounted for in the fact that he was
the lust of all high official position in the
Southern Confederacy to depart.
In his death there was something OF icci'
ing that we had just given IL sad farewell tc
the greatest historic event with which this
generation will ever be associated.
IL was the pride of Mr.. Davis that he was
enshrined in the hearts of the people.
He WAS not oslentatious, but he sincerely
crayed the love and respect OF his fellow-coun
trymen, aud no mans wishes were more
thoroughly satisfied.
In his death. all accord to Mr.. Davis what
ever wus due to him, either for his greatness
or for his untarnished personal character, oi
Tor his unWaNerlnS ueNOliph w 'He S'>N'''
which was not only his cause, but which was
also the cause OF common country.
In return for his fidelity to principle, ana III
expression OF our gratitude and love for him
many of his best friends have spoken or q
monument TO his memory, and OF q large sum
OF money to be given TO his family. While
the monument and the money are tcstimon'
ials of regard, yet they are rs nothing when
placed In the scale against some other things.
We feel sure that If Mr.. Davis could speak
from his honored tomb, that such propositions
were painful to him.
Mr. Davis would not levy tribute from his
old Impoverished soldiers, either to erect a
monument to his memory or to enrich his
family.
1t seems pity that we should diss!patc our
sorrow in the practical effort TO build u mon
ument.
His widow does not need 100000 to secure
for her every needed comfort OF life. and she
is too proud to be the recipient Of such a
gift.