Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1891-11-29
a PENSION FOR MRS. DAVIS.
More Press Comments on this Dispsteh's
ProposifGon.
ATLANTA CGa.) JOurnSi-l

the same footing tDab tne OAleoS osneoS
GoyeTnment places the widows OF its Pre-
sidsnts NJ suggests that the southern |
States vote pension to Mrs. DAVIS
GOOD suooEsTIoE.
uewisburg wv. ya.) Independently
THx RrcauoxD DISPATCH suggests that |
the southern States grant hrs. JEFFERSON
Davis q pension, and the suggestion is m
yorably commented upon BY leading jour
mails through the south.
A HEARTY ENDORSEMENT.
blackstone VA Courier.l
It IL not only duty upon the States that
composed the Confederacy, but 1t should
be an honor and q pleasure to contribute
to such q cause, and we sincerely nope
Virginia viii be the State to head the list,
and do II handsomely.
THINKS 20, TOO.
Franklin (ya-) Courier.l
The southern States ought to vote q
pension TO Mrs. Jefferson Davis. and Vir-
einia should lead in the movement
Rtchynond Dispatch. We think so, too.
Soutberners owe q reward TO the eI-Presi-
dent, who fought 50 valiently for them. A
more learned statesman aud truer pa
triot was never laid in silent tomb than
Jefferson Davis.
- vEBY GOOD PLAN"
Savannah (Ga.) Morning Hevs.l
without consulting Mrs. Jefferson Davis
the Virginia Legislature will probably APP
propriato for her benefit q moderate sum
In the form Of O voluntary testimonial
fund as the basis for the general fund TO
which all of the States Of the former Con-
federacy will be invited 10 contribute.
That is the plan of tho Richmond commit
tee having the affair in charge, and 1t APP
pears to be very good one.
MEETING WITH oLEIRAL FAVOR"
lRichmond Vs.l Times.l
The suggestion that the southern States
which composed the Confederaoy pension
Mrs. DAVIS is meeting with very general
favor. To any one who knows that lady 1t
is needless to say that this movement has
been started without any consultation
with her or without the slightest know
ledge on her part. 1t originated with Cen
eral Joseph r. Anderson, and to this day
Mrs. DAVIS, in al probability, has heard
nothing of it. General Anderson's idea
was that as the United States pensioned
all the widows Of their eI-Presldents, 1T
would be graceful thing on the part OF
the late Confederate States 10 pension the
widow of the only President they ever
had.
"LEr THE SOUTHERN PRESS SPEAK OUT"
[Lynchburg VA Advanced
The Richmond DISPATCH proposes that
the Legislatures of the States that formed
the Confederacy should vote pension OF
$500 each yearly TO Mrs. Davis, widow OF
Jefferson Davis, President Of the Confed-
crate States.
The Adrdnoe is we'll aware of the noble
ness of heart that prompts IHE RICHMOND
DISPATCH 10 its proposition, and 1t honors
its contemporary on the James for the
sentiment, and in taking issue with the
DIsPArCH it does it with Difference and
sincerity. No one knows better than the
Adcdacs that the pensioning OF Mrs.
Davis would not mean general
Confederate pension roll; ct the same
time the example is not the wisest, and
when a wiser course ia open why not pur-
sue it? There Is no need OF subjecting the
| South to undue criticism; and, to be per-
| fectly honest, there Is not justice IN voting
public taxes to such q pension. is 10 too
much to estimate that there IS about fifty
million dollars invested IN the entire South
| to-day by northern capitalists Whether
| it is more or less, il is not complete justice
to tax 1t for the purpose proposed BY tho
| DISPATCH.
Thisis a subject that should be discussed
/ calmly, amicably, and thoroughly. Let all
/ the southern press speak out frankly on
! the proposition, giving attention at the
1 same time to the question of subscrip-
ton testimonial fund. Such q fund could
! be raised in six months. and IL would reach
such dimensions as would warm the Dis
PAroH's heart to the plan.
"a DANGEROUS PRECEDENT"
[Lynchburg (ya.) News,l
The proposition advanced by THR RIcH-
MoND DISPATCH for a life pension for the
| widow of the late Jefferson Davis, 70 be
| proVided by the several southern states,
| will not, we apprehend, commend itself to
| the sober, dispassionate judgment OF the
| southerns.--people. On the contrary, the
| idea seems not only impracticable, but it
/ involves a palpable injustice: for there is
/ no more reason why the people should be
/ taxed to provide princely income for Mrs.
| Davis than for tho thousands of other
widows OF e1-Confederate soldiers
who sacrificed their lives for the Lost
Cause. Indeed, there IS much less
reason why, in view OF the fact, thai Mrs.
| DAVIS does not need assistance. Further
more, ii may be remarked that Mrs. Davis
| herself, sensible Of this view OF the matter,
politely but firmly discountenanced SIM
] liar movement which was projected, we
believe, by the Atlanta Constitution several
years ago 1t was clearly offensive to her
| refned nature and repugnant to her sense
| of justice IN respect to the thousands OF
| widows and wives of Confederate soldiers
| who are in extreme poverty and want and
| nave been so ever since the war.
| The DISPATCH. IN enforcing its views
/ on this proposition. makes the remarkable
| declaration that lit is nothing but fair
| and proper that we should put her Mrs.
! DaYis) upon the same footing that the
| United States Government places the
widows of its Presidents" Perhaps SO;
but the truth is 1t Is great outrage
/ and violation of the properties for the
| widows of ex-Presidents to ever have
/ been put on the pension list. The Presl-
| dents were all paid full compensation for
| their services, and received all OF the
| honors. Why should they or their widows
/ ever have been made tax upon the peo-
| pie after their services were rendered,
and why should the widows OK Presidents
| be penPiOned any more than the widows
| of other high civil officers, suoh as men,
| bers OF the Cabinet and members OF Con-
| gress? The whole pension system as now
| administered is fraud and outrage upon
! the people and IN violation OF the first
principles of our Cover nment.
SHOULD FIND AN EcHo AND RESPONSE"
New Orleans Picayune.l
The following from TEE RICHMOND DIS
PATCH should find an echo IN every south
ern paper and response in every south
| ern heart:
The southern States ought to vote a
pension to Mrs. Jefferson Davis, and Viz
| einia should lead in the movement.
The United States Government with
4 paternal regard has specially pensioned
! the widows OF distinguished northern
| soldiers who died without leaving ade-
| auate provisions for their families. Con-
| gressmen and Senators from tho southern
| States voted to tax their people to pay
| those pensions. This is generous and
| noble, and there is nobody in the
| South who objects TO contributing 20
the support of the worthy and esteemed
ladies who have survived their patriotic
soldier husbands Of the northern or
mics.
But there Is no paternal government to
| minister 10 the necessities of the widow
/ Of Jefferson Davis There Il no Congress
to vote her pension. There are no orators
] to rise in the House or in the Senate 20
plead her cause; 70 testify to her worth
/ and devotion as wife, and her unshrink-
| ing patriotism and courage as typical
southern woman. All this IS denied her,
and if she IL 20 obtain relief il
must be wholly from the acts of the