The Norfolk Virginian. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 186?-189?, 1896-07-03

courited not the cost. and patriotism
tht was faithful unto death, such words
as these, "They Were all wrong; 1t was
all a mistake" Rather let their story
be plotted out altogether, for their chill
dren will no longer be worthy to read
or emulate their achievements. Until
that hour, every nameless grave, every
tatteIed flag, every worn jacket of gray,
shall find hearts to love and hands to
cherish Them
The people of the South would not
exchange the story OF the Confederacy
for the wealth OF the world At their
mothers knees. the coming generations
shall learn from that story what deeds
make men great and nations glorious.
The people who do not cherish their
past will never have a future worth re
cording. The time is even now that
the whole people of the United Staes,
Is proud of the unsurpassed heroism
sacrifice, and faithfulnes:, of the SOL
diers and people of the Confederacy.
The terrible past
Must be ours while life shall last.
ours with It's memories: ours with Its
pain:
Ours with its best blood shed like rain.
The sacrifices all made in vain.
Forget? NeverH
DAVIS AFTER THE WAR.
singularly enough. however. it was
atter the war was over that the events
occurred which endearcd MIR. Davis most
to the Southern people. alludc. first.
OF all Ito his long impris onmcnt ut Fort
ress Monroe--the clumsy cruelty of put
ting the distinguished captive In lrorr,
thrilled the South like an electric snorl,
IL Would be painful now and humilla-
ting, i venture TO say, to Americans
everywhere to dwell upon the unhappy
details of his confinement Suflica Il
Il n ,c 4.
very laa, thing that his iailers would
nave intended-to make jefferson Davis
the most beloved man of his time The
men oil the South recognized that he was
suffering for un offense which thcv
equally shared with him. and suffering
IN no hgurative sense In their place.
one oil the most exquisite scenes in the
life of this most remarkable man occur
RED while he was a prisoner in the fort
when Dr. Minnegerodc partook with
him OF the Holy Communion In the still
ness OF the night. The motionless fir
ure oil the Federal commander OF the
fortress. and the sentincls standing
guard owe" him. regarding the strange
Spectacle and wondering, perhaps, now
their Luxurious captive could have
forgiven all the world
Even after the charge of treason had
Dfoken down, and he was once more a
free man. Mr.. Davis continued 10 he
until the hour of his death. n sh,nnin,r
mark for the political enemies of tho
south. So well understood was the
love of the people for him that IL be-
came, as 1t appeared to us, political
device, which never failed of it's pur-
pose, to attack him in order to arouse.
expressions of resentment from the
SCUM: Ben. Hill and Lamar were es-
pecially dear to our hearts, because they
defended MIR. Davis
There is something i'm his unbendinp
nature, free from all the petty uiplu-
macies which make for popularity. that
made him favorite subject for ridi-
cuie ana defamation. He was u man
understood only by his peers PLANT.
politic, narrow or partisan souls could
never rise above the clouds of his nd-
Versity, to behold the eternal sunshine
settled OH his head. Ii was impossible
TO answer the assailants in kind. Every
shaft aimed at Mr.. Davis In Congress,
of the hustings, or through the press,
drew the hearts of the Southern peo-
pie 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 yitalS.
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. pour
ing out his last energies in defence of
their honor The seduction of power
never reached him. He died in the po-
litical faith in which he lived. unchang-
ed To the end, standing like mast
where the ship went down. Brave, I'M
comparable old man!
POPULAR DEMONSTRATIONS.
! question whether any other man
ever received the popular demonstration
OF affection which attended Mr.. Davis
No sovereign IN the height of his power
ever Witnessed the overwhel lining mani
festations of devotion and reverence
which the presence of this aged and
powerleSs man evoked. When he was
released from trial thousands OF the cit!-
zenS of Richmond stood with barred
heads in silence as he passed. 1t was at
Atlanta a the unveil!ng OF the Hill mon
ument that Henry Grady proclaimed
him The uncrowned king of all hearts
amid an outburst of enthusiasm which
must have repaid him for years of suffer
ing. 1t is said that seven cities claimed
the birth OF Homer dead, bu. seven
states contested for the honor to be TIE
burial place of Jefferson Davis On the
day OF his funeral services were held for
him all over the South Grady said:
Government will not render to him the
pomp and circumstance of a great death.
but his people Will give him a tribute
of love and tears, surprising all that
government could do. and honortng his
memory as earthly parade could not do "
And so 1t was. Anne! lea never saw be-
fore so wonderful a pageant as that