Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1894-05-29
THE DAVIS MANSION.
Formally Turned Over to the COnisdsi'
ate Memorial Literary Society.
COLONEL CARY AND Mr.. BRYAN.
One Present. and the other Accepts on
Behalf Of che Understanding About
the DE Renne Collection.

A din Of older voices than those that
had filed the Jeff. Davis mansion Tor
the past twenty-five years was heard ~
the spacious Railways OF that historic
structure yesterday afternoon Rollick-
Ing. pfattling children had moved out
into new and more modern building.
10 pursue their studies. and the iadies OF
the Confederate Memorial Literary 30
ciety were IN their stead. IL was an
evsntfuI day in the history Of that noble
association. composed entirely of south
ern women--it was the day on which
the White House OF the Confederacy,
with all It's sacred memories. was turned
over 10 them. 20 be preserved. and hand
ed down to future generations.
Although O'Clock was the hour agreed
upon for the formal deliverance OF the
building. nearly all the ladies arrived
much earlier. showing their ardor in
the proposed Confederate museum, 10
which use the mansion Is to be put.
THE LADIES PRESENT.
Among those present were: Mrs. Joseph
Bryan, president OF the society; Mrs. }.
Taylor Ellyson, Mrs. n. V. Randolph,
Mrs Jacob Michaux. Mrs. T. d. Hotch-
kiss, Mrs. NJ. Branch. Mrs George w.
Mayo. Mrs Edward Robinson. Mrs.
stephen Putney. Mrs. William Writ
Henry. Mrs. Maxwell T. Clarke, Mrs.
David Brown Mrs r. c. Neal. Mrs.
Minor, Mrs Smith Bedford, Mrs. George
Stacy. Mrs. Enders Robinson, Mrs. Lizzie
Cary Daniel, Mrs Van Doren, Mrs. Grant,
Mrs Rogers. Mrs Jeffries, Mrs. Mamie
Werth, Mrs. James II. Werth. Mrs Gil
liam. Miss Mason. Miss Thomas. Mrs.
DeSaussure. Miss Warren. Mrs Mordecai,
Mrs NJ NJ Green Mrs. Il. G. Minor Mrs.
James Gordon, Misses Matte Harris. Min
ME Baug hrnan, Mary and Bette Cren-
shaw. and others.
Before the society was called to order
Colonel Cary, chairman Of the Council
Committee on Schools. held short meet
ing Of that body and approved the last
bin Of Messrs Heppert & Son, contrac-
tors of the new Central School building,
the money to be paid when the claims OF
all sub-contractors shall have been salts
fed. The gentlemen of the committee in
attendance were Messrs. Cary, Lander
kin. Thomas. Hardwicke. and Tanner. and
others present were Mayor Ellyson, Mr..
Joseph Bryan, Mr.. Rady Colonel Cut
shaw, the City Engineer Mr. J. Randolph
Tucker Mr. Robert L. Harrison, OF New
York. and others.
COLONEL CARY'S REMARKS.
When Mrs. Bryan. the president OF the
society, arrived she Immediately took the
chair and called the meeting 10 order.
Colonel John j. Cary, az chairman Of
the Committee on Schools. then arose, and
IN one Of his happiest, brightest speeches
turned the building. the home Of the
President Of the Confcderlcy over TO the
Confederate Memorial Literary Society.
Colonel Cary said: Mrs. Bryan and
Ladies' OF the Confederate Memorial So
c.ptr.--"Wc meet here to-day under very
peculiar circumstances However inter,
cstlng they may 10 to you. they are eX-
Ccedlugiy Impressive TO me. because In
mo G3s been conhda the task of con-
veylug TO yOu this building, once the pride
and beauty OF this chivalrous southland.
on5 It remains for you, as | am sure you
VIII, 10 retain IL in its Christian purity"
Colonel Cary here explained his delays |
IN getting the new ntral School com |
ple;fd That ne might deliver the old build |
Ing 10 The Indies for the purposes 10 which |
the COUNCIL intended Il should be dedi- |
Gated. He read the resolutions offered by |
him TN The Board Of Aldermen nearly !
four years ago, when authorized that the |
propert. hui'"ingJ grounds, and aupurtc- |
nu.cls thereto q tie Central School bu1c- |
ms DC bfNlGb aeu u ttc come ucldtG Me- |
mortal end Literary Society. lie thought |
II was appropriate that such a measure
should have been passed and approved
curing the administration Of Mayor Ely.
son. who was present. The speaker told |
OF tho trouble experienced I'm securing |
a. suitable site for the now building and |
C5mp,imc1ted his co-laborcrs On The School |
Committee and the city Engineer for |
their assistance in accomplishing what |
had been done.
WOULD PRESERVE IT.
In conclusion, Co.onel Cary said that |
no 1T language could express the deep |
emotion Of a southern heart upon so |
solemn an occasion. Languages of eulogy |
would be exhausted in praising the valor |
and courage and fortltude OF The Confede- |
rate men and women. lie felt sure that
those ladies would preserve the memorial
placed in their tender keeping and hand
II down with all its precious memories
Eve turn the building over to you, Mrs
Bryan and ladies OF the Confederate Me-
mortal and Literary Society,"" said Colo
mel Cary, with fun assurance that you
viii take care of Il: that you will dedi-
cate to II the objects which the Council
designed 1t should so, aud that you win
klndle In the hearts OF children of other
generations burning patriotism and
fire OF love and fidelity TO the South. We
turn the premises over to you"
MIR. BfIYAN'S ACCEPTANCE.
After the applause had subsidized Mrs.
Bryan arose and announced that Mr..
Joseph Bryan would accept the building
OH behalf of the society.
Mr.. Bryan spoke of the gift as a price
less one from the peerless city OF the
South. He felt himself utterly unable to
perform the solemn task that had been
- s-.N. NnH.
federate women was beautiful and just.
He said there were men who faltered,
who deserted but that there was never a
southern woman who was not true TO her
faith They felt that the men Of the
South had a right so strike every blow
that was struck. They remembered that
nearly every shot that was fired by
Confederate soldier was fired almost from
the very door OF his home. Every one OF
these shots was an honor TO the man
who fred II. (Applause)
He dwelt at great length upon the suf-
ferings and trials Of the southern women,
OF their. self-denial, of their aid TO the
wounded and dying, and spoke of their
work since the war to perpetuate the
deeds OF vaior of the men who wore the
gray. They had raised monuments TO
them. and had set an example. said Mr.
Bryan. the equal of which the world
would never find. He accepted the build
ing on behalf of the society,
THE DE RENNE COLLECTION.
At this juncture Mr.. Bryan stated that
Mr.. Robert l.. Harrison. of New York,
was present and would say something of
the De Renne collection, which had been
left 10 this association and would be
placed In this museum, Mr.. Harrison was
presented by Chairman Cary, and he pro-
decided TO explain what the De Renne col
lection OF southern war relics was II
was, he said a very valuable aggregation
OF books, pamphlets papers. sc, which
had been left to the Hollywood Memorial
Association. BY the signature OF the
president and secretary OF this organizaA
ton this collection would be forwarded
from New York to Richmond at once
Colonel Cary apologized TO the ladies'
for the condition OF the house. assuring