The Ocala banner. (Ocala, Marion County, Fla.) 1883-194?, 1894-12-14

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His FASHIONED left us and it has len us weepne
And yet he lives among a he never lived before
In ondest recollection his departed soul is keeping
All the virtues that sustained him he bore
Our love, it still mounting touched by thinking
Leading Us beyond the human 70 the realms
The higher thought transcend beings drinking
AT the fount of Inspiration and universal hope.
And we find that loving beyond hope we've
From worthy human idol the heights above
Our souls they lay unfolded all enmty persisted
And we're kneeing at the altar Of universal love-
Tonight we learn lesson by tours souls are lifted
In a love for higher virtues
= n our hearts snkingand We find our life gifted
With purer deeper setting that shall leave
-es@-
Speech of Finney before the oca Literary and De
tn 1894.
THE srATis.fANsHIp OF DAVIS.
W President Ladies CrgAealea:-
We are gathered here tonight much to testify ia
he sorrow we feel at the death of our beloved cheftan
Jefferson Davsbut join tribute to his memory to Join
rbute to the memory Of the invncibe soldier the illus
rous statesman the ncouptbe patriot and the Chris
ian gentleman whose face is white with the light
'ternity and whose pure soul has past beyond
We come here tonight as typical representatives az
Dixie of the land for which jefferson Davis suffered SO
ouch and loved so WELL to join tribute his memory for
you wish TO destroy the self respect of the American
outh and with it sap the fountain of his character
write no histories of the late war; build no to
our dead heroes cherish memories the men and the
leeds that history will make immortal do this and he
viii forget that his father hero his mother heroine
Turing that long and bloody struggle.
Friends: Who doubts that every cannon fred in
memory OF Jefferson Davis every bonfire that bIazed
long the southern Streets every rocket that flew on fiery
wings through the midnight air every patriotic sentiment
nat fell from Southern tongue every tear drop that stole
own the cheek OF Southern Confederate soldier
Who doubts that these contributions to the serespect
nd manhood of the Southern youth?
We are here assembled tonight for the purpose Of doing
onor 10 the memory Of our deceased President jefferson
Davis for 1t was almost midnight the 9th December
SS9 when the soul of Jefferson Davis sought its reward
nd passed to the great beyond To forget him is to forget
ur own selfrepect to neglect to do honor to his memory
) to discredit our manhood
Ihave been delegated to speak upon the craftsmanship
4 this great leader but shall not here attempt full
eview OF the character and achievements of one who
elded in devotion oprincpe and in love for his people,
rs the leader of the people knew better how to draw
I'll hearts to him, and as statesman must Judge him
ot by failure but by his achievements under difficulties
which beset his have beaen other man in all
history who essayed to lead people to independence
During the Jefferson Davis centercd adherence and
hostility Of the Northern people toward rebellion.
It is not my purpose to pass judgment the acts Of
Mr. Davis as statesman, indeed there is but one Judge
nat can fairly in the light of dspassohate truth Judge
he career acts and motives of Jefferson Davis who shall
ieither regard him earthly god superhuman Great
Ire who could do HARM arch-rebe traitor or
ievi but who shall take truth their only guide that
Judge is posterity.
Mr.. Daviss career statesman can be said to have
commenced in 49 when he appointed to the United
Stats Senate but resigned his 1851 to become an
unsuccessful candidate for After his defeat he
remained in retirement for years when in 1853 he was
appointed by President Pierce secretary of war; in which
position he remained for four years. during time add
ing both dignity and Importance to his department. AT
the close of his term secretary of he again entered
the senate During the stormy debates Of that period he
was ready to defend the principles the right Of Sc
cession In the forum debate he was foremost In the
congress of 80 to 81 he the acknowledged democratic
leader in the senate In February 1861 Mr. Davis intro
uced resolutions embodyng the principles of the
southern democracy which resolutions were on the 9Th of
May adopted by majority Of a.
In his views on secession Mr. Davis did not belong to
ne class OF Rhett Yancey and Toombs the other hand
he sought in every honorable way prevent dissolution
q the to avert the impending catastrophe but not
70 such an extent to compromise his principles nor did no
utter word that could be construed into an expression
ofdoubt as to the ruhuness rghtfuness of his cause
When his mother state Mississippi severed the ties that
bound her to the Union Jefferson Davis bowed in humble
ubmisson to her Decree and on January 18th 1851 Is
tender and aeetonate farewell he formally Withdrew from
The Senate. Before reaching home from Washington Mr.
Davis was chosen of the army Of Mis-
ssspp but he the position the provisional
Congress OF the Confederacy in session Montgomery
having on the 9th day of February chose him presnt
of the nation that had Just been added r. aartI,
galaxy position Mr. Davis had iii no way sought Te
was chosen by the representatives of capable resolt
people, with express reference to the arduous task before
DdftS HOt WISH president nrnfnrrfun
the army though the Congress acted wisely for b;at
proves him pre-eminently than soldier
On hearing the news Of his election president Mr. Davis
immediately started for Montgomery; his progress from
ms nome there was continued ovation making over
twenty-five speeches to enthusiastic crowds
40 ms inaugural address February 18TH Mr. Davis
asserted that necessity and choee led the south "a
seceae IN his last message tohe Provisional Congress IN
December 1851 President Davis characterized the invasion
q me south as the wicked invasion which greed Of gain
ana the unhaowed lust Of power have brought upon our
soiI.n sf,1 ~
shall not attempt to recount the difcntes under
which ne labored the that he committed during Bis
oQryears as chief magistrate Of the Coniedefacy sum
Client + II to that in the darkest hours Of the South
even after that famous message from Lee Informing him
that Richmond to be evacuated bis faith less firm
did his hope il the ultimate success o tie Southern
arms any way diminish.
Alter tie surrender 81 1ss Jefferson Davis 7Ss r1ss
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