Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1896-07-02
DAy,s AND RICHMOND.

DAVIS AND DtthhO'''
This the last and "biesest' day OF the
,.,,,,., ., Confederate veterans. has been
=. o,art rs a day on which
80 honor the memory OF President
,o,,,. Already thousands have Wis
Goa his grave, at HOLLYWOOD al
ready thousands have called ana pau
their respects TO his wife (as she prefers
IN sneak of herself rather than as ms
u,doU). while from early morn until iate
=, ,,obt cro;gds sweep through the mouse
an which he lived here, cycling everything
r,,n affectionate interest; but the cere-
.-o,v of the occasion is yet to take place
1srst there is to be an imposing parade
Of veterans and volunteers. Then' on
ground made historic as the camp OF 'he
erst troops South Carolinians) that came
from the South to Virginia in 1861, VIII De
,arts the cornerstone of costly ana peau-
nm, memorial building and han OF
statuary. This is TO be a monument 10
Mr. Davis. and, being monument 10
him will be a monument to his people,
whose chief he was; for whom he laDoreu'
for whom he wore chains; for whom he
was reviled. and. as far as virulent paru-
sanrv could accomplish it. was ostracized
by the South's enemies.
Mr. Davis came to Richmond from
Montgomery in June, 1861. His welcome
hora was most cordial. Crowds fiocked
10 see him. his wife, and his Cabinet at
the spotswood Hotel. and the people then
and there pledged the President ana MS
government their support and anectloh'
Mr.. Davis is on record as saying that
all that we promised was fulfilled as
far az Il was in mortal power to DO CO.
In one of the darkest months OF our
Young republics troubled history the
president wrote to the Virginia Legisia-
ture that our state had given of her
ch,,fIren and means without stunt.
Though care was a never absent visitor
in the Davis household here. Mr.. ana
Mrs. Davis both have written that the
Richmond people were ever their true
friends-kind. helpful, and considerate'
And we suppose they were as comfortable
here as they could have been anywhere
whilst the Confederacy was starving TO
death and was bleeding at every pore.
Those who see the Davis house now
can scarcely imagine what lovely view
., commanded until after the war; the
hillside north OF II was built up win
residences. blocking the view in that d.
rection. During the war there was an
uninterrupted view from Mr.. Davis's WIN
aows of the woods and fields Of Henrico.
southwark, too. from ms residence there
was a charming wsv-the James river
be,ne in plain sight and running its wind
ing way for miles
The four years that the Davis family
STAYED here were years when upon the
Presidents shoulders rested mighty
responsibility. Month after month his
load OF care grew heavier. And circum-
stances were such that he was blamed
Nv the thoughtless for all the great
failures of the war; while the generals
On command got the credit for The VIC
tories won by our arms, though these
victories were often the fruit of his
wisely-studied plans. Troubles came
upon the President from within and with
ont the Confederacy. but in the light
OF what we all know now, who can say
that he was not always "A grand old
chief; a fit representative Of people OF
resSlute character. Of chivalrous impulses
and unflinching courage.
Mr. Davis's figure was familiar one
In Richmond during the war. He walked
about the streets wholly unattended. In
fine weather. Of afternoons. he nearly
,e... ..a1aioa hts horse and rode into
the country. and II he was accompanied
by q member of his stan or other friend
Il was because he loved company, not
that he feared harm would come TO him,
But It is fact. we believe, that upon one
occasion while riding on the eastern out
skirts of the city an assassins shot was
fired at him. Who fired 1t was never
known, but II was doubtless a northern
emissary, who had made his way into
the city, as the cnemy's spies too otter
did. But he who had made great name
IN the Indian wars and IN Mexico, and
was never known 10 quail before mortal
man, could not be daunted by any such
incident as this. and he continued his
country rides TO the last.
BY the way. Mr.. Davis was a man OF
varied Accomplishments. He was an un
commonly graceful rider. He was sue
cessfhl as a soldier. successful as law
yer, successful as a senator, successful al
an orator there have been few more
eloquent mem. and in hts Old age gave
proof OF unusual talents for authorship.
Mr.. Davis left Richmond Sunday eve
ming, April q 1856. and was seen here nc
more until 1867. whe,, ne was taken from
his prison CELL at Fort Monroe. anC
brought here TO be heard upon his .ppli
cation for bail Once more his Richmond