The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1890-01-28
TUEsDAY,lJANUARY %, 1890.


DANIEL on DAVIS.
Tho tremendous outpouring which
last Saturday night, literally filled the
spacious auditorium Of the Academy OF
ausic from pit TO dome, to listen to the
tribute from Senator John w. Daniel to
ths memory Of Hon. Jefferson Davis,
expected an extraordinary intellectual
treat The vast theme upon which the
sneaker was to discourse, the well-de-
served reputation Of Nirginias gIfted
son,,an orator Of rare eloqsence and
tho highest attainments, and winter
remarkable for the elegance Of his die.
ton. and the chastsness, force, and pa
ritv OF his English, added to the known
high admiration and warm personal re-
gard which Mr Daniel, from earliest boy
bool. has felt for Mr.. Davis. all were
guaranty that the Senator would, Oh
Ibis occasion, endsavor to surpass, II
possible. even himself.
# issafs to say that there was not
one Of the two thousand persons pres
emf who did not have his expectations
more than realized. For two hours and
shalt Senator Daniel held his audience
spelI-bound, they only ceasing at brief
intervals to listen to his words OF truth,
soberne.s and justice, to manifest then
approval Of, and sympathy with the
sentiments uttered. Notwithstanding
the unusual length Of the address, there
were many expressions Of regret when
il was ended, and the remarkable and
universal interest thus manifested ID
the Senator s remarks can be attribute d
60 two causes.
First to the fact that there is, among
all classes and all factions, an under
current Of admiration, amounting al
most to reverence, for the character Ct
Jeaersoa Davis. There are some among
The southern people-to the credit OF
the South be it said. they are few and
far bctween-who criticize him adverse
ly as President of the Confederate
States. accusing him Of obstinacy, pre-
iudice and self-will. In every instance
of this kind. however, 1t can be found.
upon analysis. that there is some per-
sonal jealousy or private pique behind
the criticism. But even in all such
cases the critic himself 10 forced to &C
knowledge the sterling honesty, the
strict devotion to principle and the
exalted qualities developed by the long
and prominent public career OF the
Southern leader, and this involuntary
tribute Of whole people to the true
greatness Of their distinguished fellow
citizen, will always cause an American
audience. " neither North or South, to
listen patiently and interestedly to any
eloquent recital Of his virtues.
Ia the next place, this address Of Sen
ator Daniel cannot properly be de.
scribed as merely an Grafton. 1t was
beautifully chaste, clear and succinct
setting forth of the fundamental prin-
ciples Of our Republic, az exemptided
in the life Of Jefferson Davis-princi-
pies now rapidly falling either into
Oblivion OF neglect, or being steadily lost
sight OF on account Of the dominance
in our national affairs Of party which
openly avows It's disregard for any Of
these things. and not only breaches.
but practices. the doctrine that Central
ization is the basis Of the Federal Union;
that State Sovereignty is little better
than treason, and that Favoriteism'
Plutocracy and the fostering and en-
couragement OF Monopoly are mainly
70 be considered in guiding the helm OF
the ship OF STATE.
As an Offset TO this pernicious doc
irinc and as means Of perfecting the
youth Of America in the true and
wholesome teachings Of the patriotic
fathers of the republic, this address OF
Senator Daniel should be carefully read
aud studied far and wide, and parents
should see that, in years TO come, 1t Is
digested and fully understood by their
children whom they wish instructed in
the principles of true statesmanshiP.
With this end in view, it would be well
for the General Assembly, under whose
auspices this tribute to President Davis
was paid, 20 have Senator Daniels ad-
dress printed in pamphlet form as n
State document. aud, as such, generally
distributed.