The gold leaf. [volume] (Henderson, N.C.) 1881-1911, 1896-07-16

pose, to attack him in order to arouse
expressions of resentment from the
South. Ben Hill and Lamar were es-
pecially dear to our hearts, because
they defended Mr.. Davis.
There is something in his unloading
nature, free from all the pretty diplo-
macies which make for popularity.
that made him favorite subject for
ridicule and defamation. He was
man understood only by his peers.
Plia Ut, polite, narrow, or partizan
souls could never rise above the clouds
of his adversely to behold the eternal
sunshine settled Oh his head. 1t was
impossible to answer the assailants in
! kind. Everd shaft aimed at Mr.. Davis
in Congress, on the hustings, or through
the press, drew the hearts of Southern
people closer to him. They are loyal
and faithful folk. Their disfranchised
leader became their Prometheus, chain
ed to the rock with the vultureS gnaw-
ing at his vitals.
1t is not the least thing for which
they love him, that his last years
were devoted to the vindication of
their cause, and the deathless story of
their achievements. 1t is sweet to
them to think of him at Beauvoir, aged
and bent, invalid and almost blind,
pouring out his last energies in defence
of their honor. The seduction ofpower
never reached him. lie died in the po-
ltical faith in which he lived, unchang-
ed to the end, standing like mast
where the ship went down. Brave un-
conquerable old man.
POPULAR DEMONSTRATIONS
| question whether any other man
ever received the popular demonstra-
tions of affection which attended
Mr.. Jefferson Davis. No sover-
eign in the height of his power ever
witnessed the overwhelming maniles-
tation of devotion and reverence which
the presence of this aged and power
less man evoked. When he was re-
zens of Richmond stood with barred
heads lin silence as he passed. 1t was
at Atlanta at the unveiling of the Hill
monument that Henry Grady pro-
claimed him The uncrowned king of
all hearts" amid an outbust of enthu-
siasm which must have repaid him for
years of suffering. 1t is said that
seven cities claimed the birth of Homer,
| dead, but seven States contested TO
the honor to be the burial place of JEFF
ferson Davis. On the day of his fu-
neral services were held for him all
over the South. Grady said: "Go3-
ernment will not render to him the
| pomp aud circumstance of a great
death, but his people will give him a
tribute Of love and tears, surprising all
that government could do and honor
ing his memory as earthly parade could
not do" Add So il was. America
never saw before so wonderful pa
geant as that which passed down the
streets of New Orleans. The funeral
of that generous soldier Gen. Grant, |
am told. cost more than 100000.
The even more impressive funeral OF
Mr.. DAVIS, cost nothing-all bills
came in receipted. II was the spon-
taneous outpOuring of the peoples
love. The people of the South may
not be rich in material things, but
they are not poor in their hearts.
it was my duty and privilege to be
present at this funeral, and also to ac-
company his remains on the way to
Richmond, and | shall never forget it.
No conquerers march was ever half SO
triumphant In the capitals through
which it passed his body lay in state,
visited by thousands, and everywhere
along the way the people stood with
uncovered heads, day and night along
the railroad as the trains rolled by. to
testify their devotion to the dead. 1t
was spontaneous, it was sincere, 1t
was universal.
We are gethered here to, day to erect
not for his. His memory belongs to
the ayes. His life will stand like
a snowy peak amid the centuries. His
remembrance will abide in the hearts
of men when this stone has crumbled
into dust. Jefferson Davis life teaches
US that character is secure. Character
was his bulwark against all the SIAN
der. ridcule, insult, which the wit OF
man could devise, and that defense
stands sure.
He teaches US that love follows sac
rifce. He who bore everything for his
peope received reward such as an
emperor might have envied-their un-
feigned and abiding love. He teaches
US that life offers omething better
than success. 1t is when moral
worth is defeated that humanity be-
comeg sublime.
THE TYPICAL SOUTHERNER.
AS soldier, his brilliant and prom
ising career was cut short. lie had nc
opportunities to develop the great quail
tiles of Lee, the prince Of commanders.
As statesman, he did not quite reach
perhaps the commanding stature oI
Calhoun, to whose work he succeeded
AS an crater he may have lacked the
impetuous fervor of Yancey, the spen-
did decama ton Of Lamar, lie surpassed
!. them all in his majestic thoght, the
chaste beauty of his strength and his
thrilling earnestness. But Davis was
greater than them all in that he CON
| bined them all HE: sas an accom-
plished soldier, az Z statesman, and
consummate = q : of hi. day, and
, Of all time. - -
Around b. -Ood that marvellous
group-L' Z flower Of chivalry
Jackson ceenius Of war; Toombs
: the th' ( of debate; Benjamin, the
: jurist .npbelI, the judge; Bledsoe
, the. .man-men fit to measure will
; thu ,htliest. Yet from the vantage
: of history his sublime head HIT
TX above them ali.
t It is meet and fitting that the ashes
4 of the great should rest in Virginia
E soil. Round him sleep the might.
, ones who have gone before-soIdler
e who won American liberty-jurlsts VIII
9 gave it perpetual form; statesmen VIII
e filled its tlags with stars and made I