The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1897-04-30

Dallas, Tex, April 29.-The confeder-
ate monument erected through the eff
forts of the Daughters of the Confed-
eracy at Dallas, was unveiled this
morning. 1t is Texas granite, the shaft
being so feet high. At the top of the
column stands a private. At the base
on four pedestals are life-sized statues
of Jefferson Davis. R. E. Lee, Stone
wall Jackson and Sidney Johnston.
Jefferson Davis pulled the cord that
unveiled the form of his grandfather.
Lucy Hays did the same for Robert E.
Lee. A little granddaughter of Stone
wall Jackson. completed the unveiling
by pulling the cords which removed
the wells from the statues of Jackson
and Johnston. After the young ladies
representing the southern states had
decorated the monument with flowers,
John H. Regan, the only surviving
member of the confederate cabinet, de-
livered an eulogy on President Davis.
JUDGE REGAN'S ADDRESS.
Hon. John H. Regain, the last surviv-
ing member of the confederate cabinet,
said in part:
To me has been assigned the duty of
the character and services of the presi-
dent of the confederate states, the be-
loved J. Jefferson Davis. My aSSocia-
ton with Mr.. Davis during the great
struggle and the very high opinion 1
formed of his disintereSted and patri-
otto devotion to the cause of the con-
federacy and of his unvarying con-
stancy and courage makes the duty
most agreeable, except that l recognize
nv IN q fn
of his services and Dortraiture of his
character as is due to his memory. To
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 ex-
tent misapprehensions of his character.
1t was sometimes alleged he was self
willed, imperious and stubborn. Those
in close contact and association with
him did not so regard him. L have
heretofore expressed the view and now
repeat it, that practically he had two
characters. or rather two methods of
thought and action. While in his Dri
vate relations he was gentleness and
kindness, in the discharge of his pub
lie duties he seemed to be guided al
most 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 to occupy his time in
general conversation, or as to matters
about which they could give him no
information. 1t will be readily under
stood that one occupying his position
in which his whole time was necessar'
lily given TO the discharge of important
public duties, could not permit that
time to be wasted in commonplace con-
versation or in listening TO men
who could give him no real informa-
tion This doubtless created the idea
with such persons that he was self
willed and imperious.
Another mistake as to his character
made by some persons was that he
would not listen to advice about mat
tiers of Importance. More than four
years of constant contact with him as
a member of his cabinet enables me to
say that this is a great mistake. His
habit was. when he took UP a public
question on which he had TO act, to ex-
haust all available sources of informa-
ton, and before coming to a conclusion
always consulting freely with the mem
bers of his cabinet and with others VINO
might be able to give him information
After doing this and reaching his con-
clusion, the matter was settled with
him unless the presentation of new
facts required further consideration. He
had not time to consider the question
upon the same facts. And in the posi-
ton he occupied vacillation would have
been about as bad as an erroneous de-
cision of a public question. L say TINS
much on these points because L think
some Injustice has been done to his
memory.
The solicitude of President Davis for
the success of the confederate army
caused him to put himself under the
fire of the federals in battle. At the
battle of Seven Pines (Fair Oaks) |
saw him, General Lee and General
Magrudor under a heavy fire of mus
kerry and demonstrated against his so
exposing himself when there was no
special necessity for it During the
first seven days of fighting near Rich
mond he was exposed to the enemy $
fire and General Lee ordered him to
quit the field.
Some DAYS afterward when General
Lee appeared in the cabinet Mr.. DAVIS
iocularly said he had supposed he was
commander-i chief, but that General
Lee had ordered him from the field ana
on that day of the battle between Rich
mond and Petersburg l saw Mr. Davis
in company with General Beauregard
under a brisk fire of cannon and sharp
shooters for a considerable time during
which several persons were hit and one
soldier boy standing near the president
had his arm shot off by a shell. AT the
request of some of the officers l urged
him to leave the field, as his exposure
to the fire of the enemy was unneces-
sary. In the cabinet next morning, re-
ferring to my advice that he should
quit the field the evening before. he
said he felt as l did that he could do no
service there, but added that it would
have been an unpleasant thing TO ride
off under fire
President Davis had the chivalric
courage of a Richard Couer dillon and
the Roman virtue of consistency and
the love of liberty of a Cato.
God bless his memory.
OTHERS.