The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1901-06-16

ana the old South" was read oefore
meeting Of Lamar Fcntaine chapter, Daugh-
tiers Of the confcderacy, at Alvin It's su-
thor. Mrs virginia Quitman McNealus OF
Dallas. is granddaughter Of General
ouitnan Of Mexican war fame.
~
.sINe gentleman tells US that America Is
obstinate; that America is almost in rebel
lion. rejoice that America has resisted
such were the words Of Pitt in the house
Of commons when accused Of having ISL
encouragement 20 sedition In the colonies.
They were uttered, not only As vindicA-
don OF free speech, but Ia defense Of that
freedom Of action. without which nation
can never DO permanent nor great Tho
war cry that arose In the hearts Of the cid
coionles--"Give me liberty or give mo
death"-has hpen echoed back by ppsteritY
ID all Its pristine strength and has become
the Inspiration of the love for and support
OF free Institutions.
In discussing mans public IRE ana
character there are several cNlrane0us fac'
tors that shaLld be considered ana Appte-
ciated. First, that nothing IS truer fhan
the often upfecognlzed fact that climate
aud environment 10 a certain extent iuhn-
ence feeling and opinion; and Ia our 1udG
nent VI men we should consider the siuud
points from which their respective views
were taken, not forgetting that there may
be strength as great as our own developed
IN a different direction. Then. In consid-
ering matters of policy, there Us the olu
seductive fallacy, that survival necessarily
means Attest, the equalization OF lustica
and right and. therefore, the success OF
cause IS the gauge Of Its merit. That the
cloud OF misfortune which Oyerhangs fall.
IRE must be the shadow Of eYil passion or
some had genius that silently follows the
defeated. ana when mans honest conyic-
ton differs from that OF his nelghbor ne
should be accused OF heresY a man may
have fought With Inc redduhtable OllYer ~
Marston Moor or planted cabbages IN Hol-
land; obtained his principles from Rousseau
and demonstrated his conception Of cit
tzenphip by the surngery Of the sans Gu
lottea, yet, " he has once been At the cen
ter Of great events he has become a factor
IN history and Is entitled 60 belief Ia
probable sincerity OF purpose.
Jefferson Davis early life and opportuni-
tlea werc not In any way different from
those OF the majority Of Southern men VINO
received classical Hud professional educa
tlona Tic waa born lp thar border state
that has produced her share OF able sous;
during his infancy his father moved to
Bayed Ieche, La, and after several years
be located permanently IN Mississippi iiiA
education began at an early age when he
white on thls journey he met tho INST OF
long line OF AiuatrouH men It was Ma dea.
tiny to know personally he visited Gen
brai Jackson st the Hermitage. lie next
entered the TransylYania university az Lex
ngtOn and II was there that began the
lifelong friendship with Texas gallant son,
Albert sidney Johnston. our nero or ahi-
ioh. After leaving West Point MI DAVIS
became a lieutenant ia the regular army
and served In the Indian worg it was
While IN garrison he irst feli into Gupit's
nst. which resulted u ltis resignation from
the army aud his marriage with tho dauahr
ter OF Zachary Taylor. the commanding of
fc0r. The young indy lived only few
months after her marriage md lies buried
far from klndred on the banks Of the Mis-.
sisdppi, giving after many years the place
n tho wife who has shared not only Ills
tiny. IN the course of Mr.. Davis public
career he became representative In con.
gross. "A soldier In the folds Of Mexico,
secretary OF war and o United States sen.
ntor: in each position he sustained himself
ss became a son Of old Mississippi IL Is,
however, useless 10 suppose that thesc de
talls havs anything 70 do with Mr. Davis
peculiar place In history; II is through his
connection with one Of the most desperate
wars that the world has ever known thai
he has become Of especial interest 10 pos
terity; therefore, one can NOT draw nm out
line Of the inquire Of Jefferson Davis withou
hlling IN the canvas with tho glare OF TIL
civil war.
In the heat and noise OF battle, with IN
brllisney Of military exploits dazzling th
eyes OF the world, the war president doe
not AFFORD any especial amount Of inter
esting personal data. II Is ia the cause
thar elevated him to che position, anC
their effects upon him VIXEN the position
itself had passed AWAY, that VIC are q
look Tor those features which have mad
Of him SO unique O figure for the pens @
Impartial historians. Tho time win com'
when the Justice that has made OF Wash
lngton patriot for the successful results
Of his position IN 1570, will no luugc
designate Nathaniel Bacon rebel Tor hl
failure to hold the same position in 1876
or Jefferson Davis a traitor for going dow
with hiH peoples cause. iu lS5h. VIVA
Seems 70 have been 4 INSTRUMENTATION q
the true estimate Of MI Davis RESPONSE
bnty, made Of him for twentyhva years
viclrious victim AS every creed ma
had its MARTYRS who have nobly born
their parts. 50 the policies 81 tue on!
South entailed It's silent haroism as vel
as Its active vaior.
Prejudlced or indifferent thinkers maxi
the remarkable mistake Of Supposing tina
Mr. Davis was the instigator OF D re-
b9hon against constitutional authority
and Responsible Tor the stand taken hy tn
South al the beginning OF the war between
the States. This is giving, even Mr. "a
yis, 100 much honor by throwing upon hi
Individual shoulders the dlgniy aud de
terniiaation OF an entire nation. u wa
not his hand that tore from the old ha
some OF It's brightest stars he was simpl
the nan chosea by the voice Of the pee
PIE Ia convention assembled 70 MI tn
place OF a necessary head To use para
dox one might say that the Mllll9nc
of execution WAS not with the executive
the stars and bars were herOiculy uHnel
upon the points Of the cleaning sword,
ana by the smoke OF cannon. While givm
him an honor, We should not believe TIM
be can be called chief of chiefs for wa
Ne greater or more active IN }he rans
than Lee. Johnston or Raphael Semmesf
IL IS as the last slAgle man 20 IN
thousands In war who bore alone upo
his aged and iuhrm shoulders the const
ouences OF his countrNa policy, that "
render him an homage aaoYe chat O
Others The creed that gave lie 20 TIL
policy, one that has been 50 mlsrenreseni
an asafHlF Law afH al IA