Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1897-04-30
THEIR STATUES UNVEILED.
Dedication of a Confederate Monument
at Dallas.
Judge Reagan Eulogized Jefferson
Davis as an Honest Man. Brave
Soldier, a Sincere Patriot and an
Earnest Christian - Tributes to
Other COnfederates.

Other concentrates.
Dallas, Tex, April 29.-The Conf2d-
crate monument erected through the
efforts of the Daughters of the Con-
federacy of Dallas, was unveiled this
morning. 1t is of Texas granite, the
shaft being so feet high, and the monu-
ment honors both the private and the
chief. On the top of the column stands
the private, and at the base are four
pedestals on which are life-like statues
of Jefferson Davis, r. Z. Lee, Stopewall
Jackson. and Sidney Johnson. JEFF
Davis pulled the cord that unveiled the
form of his grandfather; Lucy Hayes
did the same for Robert E. Lee, while
little granddaughter OF Stonewall
Jackson completed the unwilling by
pulling the cords which removed the
wells from the statues of Jackson and
Johnson. After a number of young
ladies representing the different South
ern States had decorated the monument
with flowers. the Hon. John H. Reagan
delivered an eulogy on President Davis.
He said in part:
ITO say that he was an honest man,
brave soldier, an able statesman, a
sincere patriot and an earnest Chris
tan does not give the full idea of his
character. In one respect there was
to some extent misapprehensions OF his
character. 1t was sometimes alleged
he was self-willed, imperious and stub
born. Those in close contact and asso-
citation with him did not so regard him.
I have heretafore expressed the view.
and now repeat it, that practically he
had had two characters, or rather two
methods of thought and action. While
in his private relations he was gentle
ness and kindness in the discharge OF
his public duties he seemed to be guides
almost wholly by a sense of duty. And
he seemed TO expect those who con-
ferred with him about public matters
to address themselves directly to the
matter under consideration, and was
not at all times patient with such per-
sons as sought 10 occupy his time IN
general conversation or TO matters
about which they could give no intor-
vlafQ6 tho idea
with such persons tlat he was SELL
willed and imperious. Another mistake
&C T., his character made by some per-
sons have been that lie would not listen
10 advice about matters OF import
ance. More than four years of con-
slant contact with him as memeDr OF
his Cabinet would enable me TO say
that this was a great mistake. HIS
habit was. when he took up public
question on which he had TO act 10
exhaust all available sources Of infor-
nation on it before coming to a con-
clusion. always consulting freely with
the members of his Cabinet and with
others who might be able to give him
information.
THE solicitude of President Davis Tor
the success of the Confederate army
caused him several times TO put NM
self under the fire of the Federais III |
battle. At the battle OF Seven Pines
Fair Ooks) l saw him, Gen. Lee anu
Gen. Magruder under a heavy IRE oi |
musketrv and demonstrated against
him so exposing himself when there was
no special necessity for it. During 'n'
first If the several days fighting near
richmond he was exposed to the enc
mv's fire and Gen. Lee ordered him 10
unit the field. Some days afterward'
when Gen. Lee appeared in the cabinet
Mr. Davis jocularly said he had sup
nosed he was commander in chief' put
+bo+ Cen Lee had ordered him from
tho field and on the day OF battle be-
tween Richmond and Petersburg saw
NJ Dovis under a brisk fire of cannon
and sharp shooters for considerable
time during which several persons
were hit and one soldier boy standing
near the President had his arm shot OF
bv . shell. At the request of some of
tho officers ! urged him to leave the
fold as his exposure to the fire of the
enemy was unnecessary. President
Davis had the chivalric courage of a
Richard Occur de Leon, and the Roman
virtue. consistency and love Of liberty of
a Cato"
Other eulogies were pronounced as
follows: Gen. R. E. Lee Hon. Geo.
Y AIdredge: Gen. Stonewall Jackson"
Judge II. w. Lightfoot; Gen. Albert
Sidney Johnston" Hon. Norman G.
Kittrell: THE Private" Hon. A. T.
Watts. The ceremonies ended with a
battle of flowers participated in by all
at the base of the monument.