The age-herald., 1901-03-03

No action of the Legislature could have been more significant of the recognition accorded the work of the Alabama Daughters of the Confederacy than in its appropriation fo s250OO to be used in the purchase and preservation of the First White House of the Confederacy."
 The enthusiasm over the passage of the White House bill was further sig nificant that the importance of preserving historic houses has at last been impressed upon the people of the State and that Alabama will no longer show it's indifference to the homes and ulaces forever memorable in the history nS the South Throughout the land the awakening to the need of preserv- mg these hallowed spots has placed m obligation upon each State to encour- age this movement looking to the pres ervation of not alone the homes wherein hyed these heroes of a loved cause, but syery effort is being made to collect all kajics that can be associated with a past hat is gilded with undying glory.
 In almost every instance 1t Is the wo- men of the country who are the inspira- hon of this far-reeching work, and to hem should the glory be given for en- hndling the hearts of their countrymen b q proper appreciation of preserving before 1t Is too late these homes and houses luminous in the country's history. rhe Alabama women who have bent heir energies towards preserving the house occupied by President Davis and h1s family during their residence in montgomery have, 1t Is true, met with Serious opposition in their work. There have been many conflicting opinions in sseard to the wisdom of making any sffort looking to its preservation. This imposition has come from many of the Alabama Daughters, and so strong an Influence was at one time brought to bear upon the work that it was sug- gested that the work of purchasing the s<White House. be abolished as division work This immediately brought about she discussion as to whether the relics from ''Beau vuir'' were the property of the White House Committee on the Ala bama division U. D, c. If the White House was abolished as the work of the Alabama division 1t would have been necessary to form White House ASso- riation After much discussion at the convention last year in Opelika the ques- hon was decided by very small major By, voting that the purchase of the Jef- serson Davis house continue the work bf the Alabama Disision. Since that meeting the White House Committee has worked despite all the opposition, with renewed energy.
 They were spurred on to action by the work of other historic organizations throughout the country. The Betsy Ross house, over a hundred years old, had been bought and filled with curios of the past. Plans were being effected to buy ehe Jemuels mansion In New. York, Washington's headquarters, and to con- vert 1t into a public museum at a cost of s15e.eoO.f
 The. women of Georgia were trying to save the Heard house, where President Davis cabinet last met. The people of Mississippi were working to preserve was found repairing his fences when "ITarfeld," his farm house, where he called to the Presidency The whole v.Nrld knew of "Beauvoir
 These were the arguments brought by the committee in urging that immediate steps be- taken to save the first White House. of the Confederacy. These and the eloquent pleadings to preserve his tory and truth for thousands of years to dome," for as the committee declared in ifs last report. fifty years from now the Alabama Daughters of the Confeder- acv would give untold wealth for this old mansion. "
 And while the work has not been en- dorsed by all the Daughters. their op-
 
 ly short time in which the President re- sided In this house. Those who have given their support have been influenced only by their own convictions and not for want of appreciation of the places mao histprical by the great events of the conflict They contend that since The hite House was used but few me nt-~ as a place of residence by the Presidant that this fact effaces any sen
 that history would associate with place that was not essentially a part hose stirring times.
 ile women who were determined to save the White House at any cost con- tinued to work in the face of all opposi- tion. They appointed an auxiliary com mittee of prominent Alabamians, among whom were Colonel Falkner, MT. Henry Davidson, MT. W. H, Micou, MT. John Cromelin and MT Tennent Lomax. The work also received the endorsement of prominent men throughout the South and resolutions were passed by the Unit ed Daughters of the Confectionery at their convention in Richmond Va, endorsing the work of the Alabama Daughters in their effort to establish a museum of the home where President Davis and his family lived when Montgomery was the capital of the Confederacy.
 Now that the purchase and preserva- ton of the historic old house Is assured 1t will be a continued labor of love for the Daughters to fill it with the precious relics of which they afe already the cus- todians.
 The White House Committee was se-