The sun., 1890-01-26
PRAISING JEFFERSON DAVIS.
SENATOR DANIELIS GRAFTON BEFORE
HIRGINIA,s EEGIsLATURR.
A Great Throue Listens 20 the Orators
BnioEy OF His Former Leader" An Un-
seInsh PatrIet end q Noble Gentleman."

| Great Throne Listens 20 the Orators
BnioEy OF Hts Former Leader" An Un-
selfish Patriot and n Noble Gentleman"
RICHMOND, Jan. 25.-Mozart Academy OF
| Music. the largest public hall In the city, was
crowded o-night with ladies and distinguished
citizens OF tho State to hear Senator John w.
| Daniel deliver an Grafton on the life and char
| ncter OF Jefferson Davis, upon invitation OF the
Legislature. Gov Mckinney and Gen. Jubee
| A. Early were the prominent citizens present
| Mr. Cardwell. Speaker OF the House Of Dele
| gates, introduced Senator Daniel, who said:
Noble arc the words Of Cicero when he tolls
us that : 1t is tho first and fundamental law OF
history that It should neither dare to say any
thing that is false or fear to say anything that
is true. nor give any just suspicious OF favor or
disaffection.' No less high standard must be
invoked In considering the life character, and
services OF jefferson Davs-R great man Of
great epoch, whose name IL blended with the
ronown OF American arms. and with the civil
Rlories Of the Cabinet and Congress Hall-a
son Of the South, VINO became tho head
of Confoderacy more populous and
more extensive than that for which
Jefferson wrote the Declaration Of In
dependence. and commander-in-chief OF
armies greater than those OF which Washing
ton was the General. He swayed Senates and
led the soldiers of the Union, and he stood ac-
cused OF treason In court Of justice He saw
victory sweep illustrious battleilelds and be-
cume captive. He ruled millions and was put
In chains. He created o nation. he followed Its
bier, and he died a dlsiranchsed citizen: but
though great in many things. no was greatest
loftiest height and casting him hence TO
the depth Of disappointment. found him
o the snd
his enemies, but he bent to none but God.
severe scrutiny Of bis life and character-no
deals OF character or closer scrutiny OF con-
duet He was In the public gazE for nearly
6e Sad souhon The
its President, official records and private pa
pers fell into the hands of bis enemies. Wary
the bounds which the laws OF war have set to
action: and could such evidence be found
geance. but, though every hiding place was
opened and reward was ready for any WHO
would betray the secrets OF the captive chief.
whose armies we're scattered and whose hands |
were chained-though the sea gave up its dead |
in the eonvulsion Of his country-there could
be found no guilty fact and accusing tongues |
were silenced
Whatever record leaped to light
Ills name could not DO shamed
"I could not, indeed nor would divest my |
self Of those Identities and partialites which |
make me one with the people Of whom he was |
the chief iI their supreme conflict. But. sure
ly II records were stainless and enemies we're |
dumb. and II the PRINCIPALS pronounce now
favorable judgment upon the agent notwith-
standing that he failed. there can be no suspi-
cion of undue favor on the part of those who
do him honor. and the contrary inclination
could only spring from disafiection. The peo-
pie OF the South knew Jefferson Davis. he
mingled his daily life with theirs under the
eager kin OF tn ose who had bound up with him
all that life can cherish To his hands they
consigned their destnies, and under his guild
ance they committed the land they. loved with
husbands. fathers, sons. and brothers. to the
God Of battles. Ruin, wounds. and death be-
came their portion. and yet they do declare
that Jefferson Davis was an unseltiSh patriot
and q noble gentleman: that rs the trustee OF
the highest trust that man can place in man he
was clear and faithful; and that in his Office he
exhibited those grand heroic attributes which
were worthy OF its dignity and OF their strug-
giles for independence.
THUS it was that when the news came that
he was no more. there was no Southern home
that did not pass under the shadow Of ailiction.
Thus 1t was that the Governors of Common
wealths bore his body to the tomb and that
gathered from afar to bow in rever-
ence. Thus it was that throughout the South
the Scared soldiers. the widowed wives the
kindred Of those who had died in the battle
which he delivered. met to give utterarce
to their respect and sorrow. Thus 1t is
that the General Assembly of Virginia is now
to pay their tribute. Completer
testimony to human worth was never given.
and thus it will bethat the South will build
to record their verdict that he was
true TO his people. his conscience, and his God
aud no stone that covers the dead will be
worthier OF The l.oman legend:
"Clarus ct vir fortisSimus."
Senator Danels's speech consumed about
TWO hours in delivery.