The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1900-10-26
FRIDAY. OCTOBER &c. 1900.
Is sToNEWALL JACKSON A FA-
NOUS AMERICAN?

The plan by which the names for the
Temple of Fame were to be chosen was
based on the right principle, and the fact
that the ultimate results were not alto
gether satisfactory in no way discredits
the idea which produced the original
scheme The common law of the Anglo
Saxon people that treasure-house of crys-
talized experience, was IN nothing wiser
than in its rule of evidence which applied
10 general reputation. and the same pubic
appreciation of a man that will call one
man honest and another a scoundrel viii
call one. man Intelligent and another an
idiot, when narrowed down to the small
field in which seniuses walk apart. is that
which makes one man famous and an
ether unknown.
II seems TO US that the committee, though
actuated doubtless by the highest motives.
was unable TO come UP to the full meas
ure Of the expectation Of the American peo-
pie 1t is difficult matter to decide while
the influence of those who are but re-
Gently dead is still strong upon one,
whether the brlliance or genius or noble
sentiments of some loved one who was able
to impress his personality deeply on the
lives of those around him will be gathered
up into one expression by coming genera
tons and place the man among the IA
nous men Of the world.
Yet the committee for the Temple Of
Fame went about their task with cheer
fitness knowing full well that they
no "a oil nay nf i
cisrn, as they were when they chose the
name of one of the most famous Ameri-
cans that has ever lived. Robert Edward
Lee, and at The same time feeling that
they would probably be not understood
when they chose the name of some such
able out not so Well known person as Asa
Gray. the botanist. For choosing the
former name the committee were reviled
as supporters of rebel sentiments and ap-
provers of rebel leaders. For the second
name, few took heed, or none.
Yet, the great mass OF the American peo-
pie, in The calm judgment of general repu-
tation, no matter what they might think
OF States rights or slavery, no matter
how they Stood on the question OF the
right of a man to protect his own from
invasion, would unhesitatingly say that
Gen. Lee was pre-eminenty famous. and
that Professor Asa Gray was doubtless a
great man, since he was chosen for the
Temple of Fame.
Nay, more. The American people and the
whole civilized world have heard the re-
verberant echoes of the fame of StonewalI
Jackson If marvellous military skill, if
the unapproachable strategy and tactics
of the Valley campaign. if the admiration
and emulation Of the leading generals and
military critics and teachers, and an IN
diving control over the imagination and
hearts of thousands of men throughout the
world, civil. military and religious, be
fame, then Stonewau Jackson is famous,
and the Temple of Fame can neither add
10 nor detract from the glory OF that
leaders name by Withholding or inscribins
his name on its walls
We have had this forcibly Impressed
upon us by the account in the Evening E&-
press, OF Aberdeen, Scotland, October 9th,
1900, of the meeting al which capt Plrae
was formally notified of his election as the
Liberal member TO Parliament from Aber-
deem. Capt. Pirie had been bitterly OPP
posed 10 the Beer war. which he regarded
as an UBIQUITOUS attack on the liberties of
a free people, but when his country needed
him he went 10 South Africa and fought
Tor his flag. In the course of his speech
sle said:
In the great American war there was a
great Southern general-stonewall jack
son-tapplause) who strongly d.sapproved
of slavery. but who felt the call of his
right to defend his country and maintain
the rights of his State 10 be stronger than
his own personal convictions. and he Fought
In battle 10 uphold the system of slavery,
Of which he himself so strongly disap-
proved. The precedent was enough for
me. and was perfectly content to allow
my conduct TO be guided by the conduct of
SO distinguished man as s;onewall Jack
son Applause,.
n naa whose practical demonstration