Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1896-07-03
70 THE MEMORY Of DAVIS,
The Corner Stone of the Monument
Laid Yesterday.
The Ceremonies Were Impressive
and Pathetic and were Conducted
Amid the Applause of Countless
Observation-Disclosures Of the Lost
Cause Marched Through Streets
Dear to Them Mrs. Davis Cor
daily Greeted.


in Monroe Park 10 the memory of JEFF
ferson Davis, was laid this afternoon
with ceremonies which were impress
sive and pathetic. Under bright sun
and sky, through densely packed
streets, and with the applause of count
less thousands 10 cheer them on, the
followers of the lost cause marched to-
day through the city which is dearer
to the old Confederate than any other
in the land. 1t was a sight 10 stir the
enthusiasm of the most sluggish nature
as with bands playing, companies NOV
ing and colors flying, the parade passed
in review. Two hundred children,
boys and girls, wearing white and red
sashes, followed the police who cleared
the way and led the procession. The
chief marshal, Gen. Gordon, in civilian
dress. looked royal commander, as did
Gov. OFerrall, who rode with barred
head. Mrs Jefferson Davis was in an
open carriage and bowed and smiled as
the cheers greeted her on every side.
vne sponsors and maids of honor,
chosen for their beauty from all the
Southern States, rode in carriages fol-
lowing that of Mrs. Davis.
The military under command OF
Brigadier General Phillips represented
the pick of Southern soldiers. North
Carolina was the first State to exhibit
a tattered battle flag, and as 1t futier-
ed in the breeze it was greeted with
great cheers.
The veterans made the pathetic pic
ture of the parade. Nearly all are ola
and for the most part weak and feeble,
but s1Immoning their remaining
strength. they marched with pride ana
Measure. \ large number OF them car
ried sticks for support. and many were
compelled to use umbrellas IN oraer 10
Withstand the rays OF the sun. OA tne
backs of the marchers were many Dull
7et-torn Confederate coats, old canteens
and knap-sacks. Several darkles, true
n their old masters, marched with
hem IN. the parade. while two old Con
yederates who possibly had relieved
the monotony of camp life with music
IN war times. carried their fiddles ana
bows II was a grand parade ana
great spectacle, one net likeiy 10 Ve
seen again for years. FROM 1:4o "
40 o'clock veterans, sons Oh veterans
and military passed the city hali.
II was estimated that $4,000 men anu
children started in the parade, Dut
large number were affected by the heaS
and Withdrew before they had marcheu
many blocks. ..od the
,ort the military formed a compete
snnare around the mounds, preVehIlls
oav bnt those in the parade from en-
,ar;rg the enclosure. The grand ioGse
~ Nasons escorted by the hnlghts
ToronIar marched to the park wnere the
cornerstone was laid with Masonic ~. cst-
enonies Prayer was offered Dy hey
Dr George G. Ray. AT the close Vi tne
Nasonic exercises, the Howitzers 0ut
on the Lee monument GROUNDS hTeu
salute of 13 guns. -;son+ 90
Uon J. TAYLOR Ellison, presidehI oI
.bo navis Nopument Association, came
soryord and called on Bishop Johnson
= cranberry to offer prayer. Gen. ote-
nbenson d. Lee was introduced as the
orator of III occasion and made an al
dress in which he spoke in part as Iol-
lows: 4,,o mann.
We are here to-day TO honor the mem
orv Of Jefferson Davis; TO lay the cor
ner-store of a monument 10 one Mno
needs M monument N our generation
bevond that in the hearts OF MS couh.
trymen. But we think 1t due 10 efec'
nne that posterity may know the reVer-
enca felt for the great leader OF cause
that failed. 1t is fitting that he should
rest here in VirgiDia-that greatest OF
all States. the battle SCARED prooucer o.
warriors and statesmen; fitting that he
sbould rest here among her immortals.
Rur for her generosity in ceding her
vast territory to the union, Kentucky
would have still been hers and he
would have been born her son. Many
presidents. statesmen, soldiers, lie n
Virginia soil-from Washington to the
nresnt time-none greater than Davis,
but more fortunate.
Fame has no trumpet for failure.
The world hears not the voice of the
vanouished. Yet his story might teach
us strange things Of men who failed
ard causes that are lost"
He followed with review OF Davis
career and the issues which brought
shout secession and continued:
II cannot hold him wise who would
willingly wound the patriotism Of any
citizen of the republic. To brand such
men as Albert Sydney, Johnston, Stone
wall Jackson, Robert E. Lee, or Jetfer-
son Davis as traitors is not to stain the
jwhiteness Of their lives, but rather TO
snoil the word for any useful purpose;
n make of traitor a title which .Hamp-
den or washington might have borne
az well had the fortunes of war gone
AGAINST them" jefferson Davis, he
added. stood the test of true greatness;
he was the greatest to those who knew
him best.
He was opposed 10 disunion and d!d
his utmost TO prevent the step. AT the
conference called by Governor Pettus,
of Mississippi. of the representatives OF
Congress from the State in 1860. Mr..
k.svis declared himself opposed to Sc
cession as long as the hope of peaceful
remedy remained.
As president. Mr. Davis may have
made mistakes. He was constltu-
tional ruler. not a revolutionary cher.
He could not work miracles.
In closing. the orator said:
"In. calmer years, when the last en-
her Of sectional feeling has burned cut
and the last word OF love mas gehlIs