The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1902-02-02
THE LAST CAPITAL
OF CONFEDERACY
B. BOISSEAU BOBBITT.
In The Raleigh Post.

Weep not that the world ctarSes-did
it keep
"A stable. chanselcss course, 'twere cause
to Weep.
Bryant.
Since Homer first sang Of the deeds Of
Trowess performed by Hector. the god
like Achilles and other Greek heroes be-
fore the walls OF sacred Troy. and thus
fnmortalized that place. in all nations the
names of places at which notable events
affecting The governments and institu-
tions of those countries. have occurred
have been carefully memorized and zeal
ously guarded for their historical and
patriotic value by the people of those
countries. Runnymede has come down
TO us through the dim history of the mid
die ages to have a marked significance
since there it was that John, King of
England. in the year 1915. A. D.. signed
that great instrument Of human liberty
guaranteeing some of the inalienabls
rights Of man, the Magma Charta. The
act Of abdication signed by the Emperor
Napoleon on April 6. 1914 at Eontain-
bleau has made the name of that palace
famous in French and European history.
The surrender by Napoleon III Of an
ermy Of ninety Thousand men in Septem-
her, 1870, which event marked the re-
firement Of aforesaid Emperor as a factor
In European politics. and by which event
the Empire founded by him, of which
he had been the head. ended tragically,
made Sedan a name in history that will
endure. Yorktown has justly become a
memorable name in American history on
account Of its being the place where. by
the surrender of Lord CORVALLIS forces,
American national liberty and independ-
Gnce were first definitely assured.
THE LAST STAND.
In the history of our country, then,
Yorktown marks the first definite step
IN the progress Of events upon Which the
foundation of our nation as an indepen-
Gent and self governing country rests.
Likewise, Danville should mark the final
step in the solution of the greatest and
most pe1ilous national crisis which our
nation has endured, and upon which our
entire future welfare and well-heing
for all time depended, for it was there
that the final scenes in the Civil War
drama were by the Confederate govern
ment enacted. The end of the war, when
the Confederate government left Rich
.nond, its capital, and became wanderer.
having no place seemingly wherewithal
1t might become permanently establish
cd, was only partially assured. But dur
3nr the occupation of and subsequent
retreat from Danvills by the govern
ment, the end of the strife and blood
shed was definitely assured.
shall not here in any way enter into
a dicussion in regard to the relative
merits of the legal and constitutional or
moral question involved in the conflict
between the Northern and Southern
States. To do so would be outside of the
scona of the subject dealt with in this
article.
However much we may differ in our
opinions in regard to these things. the
fact remains that these events of which
I have spoken constitute to all Ameri-
cans a subject of supreme interet. And
to our people. it naturally follows. that
the end of the civil government in the
Confederate States with the last wholly
official act. proclamation. by the high
est executive authority. together with
some of the particulars in resa@ to those
things attendant upon those acts. is ever
n subject of acuate interest knowing
these things and also knowing that no
6efinite and accurate detailed account OF
them which is easily accessible to the
public has ever been prepared, and wish
Ing TO preserve for the benefit of pos
tsrity as we'll as OF ourselves the act
t,al facts, have taken some pairs to
secure a recital OF 1,cm ct first hand
from one who was Intimately associated
NTH Jefferson Davis and his cabinet
hsrhag these closing scenas which herald