Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1902-12-28
WINNIE DAVIS TABLET.

The sobr,auet Of 1.-The City of Brotheriy
Love" was acquired by Philadelphia prior
TO the civil war. II has not done much
since that time TO Win g title SO endear-
ing; and that the mass OF the people are
evil-disposed persons. but because they
cannot or will not. restrain the narrow
minded bigots.
Philadelphia was q great anti-slaveTy
stronghold. and it would seem that some
of it's inhabitants 90 not yet realize That
slavery is abolished. that the war is over,
ard that peace exists between the lately
sundered sections. ss s
We are led to. make these remarks by
reason OF the agitation in Philadelphia
on account of the Winnie Davis tablet.
But what in the world had Philadelphia
to do with Miss Davis or Miss Davis with
Philadelphia the reader may ask.
The answer is that soon after the death
81 President Mckinley wnen his efforts
to reconcile the North and South were
fresh IN the memory Of the world. and
when the people Of this land seemed
srawn nearer together than ever before,
E tablet was erected in Grace Baptist
Temple TO the memory Of the President.
several Southern women who were in
Philadelphia at the tfme upon their return
home wrote and asked if they might not
place q small tablet in the church TO the
memory OF Miss Davis. The idea intended
to be conveyed was complimentary 70 and
consonant with ckinley's reconciliation
programme. The tablet was to stand for
a noble Southern woman, widely known
in the North. and for union
The pastor. DR.. Conwell. stated the pro-
position from the pulpit, and no opposi-
ton was heard. quite naturally. there
fore. consent was considered as given.
Indeed. the suggestion was SO heartily
approved that Philadelphia women OF
Northern birth decided that instead of
putting in ..a small tablet larger one
should be substituted ct g cost OF $500.
ana the additional money was furnished
~ them Now be!.cld-iIastallation OF
the tablet isaobjected to by q minority.
DR.. Conweli says letters Of protest arc
coming in to him from all parts OF the
country. including some from prominent
members Of the congregation. Though he
himself favors the installation OF the tab
let he has decided that the question at
Issue must be referred TO q church meet
Ing That meeting will be held to-mor-
row night.
Well may Or. Conweli CONFESS his
amazement at the turmoil over this pro-
position No objection to Winnie Davis
can be made except that she was a daugh-
ter OF President Jefferson Davis. the
head of the Confederate government. But
for that very reason, Il must be pre-
suned. 1t was thought appropriate that
the should have tablet along with one
10 Mr.. Mckinley. We should not be sur
srised 81 some attempt were made now 10
huffIe the complaint TO new ground--per-
haps 10 something that she wrote in her
tooks or magazine articles-but we know
fhiladelphias irreconcilabies well and
Ee suspect their undying hatred for Presi-
sent Davis. his kith ana Kin. is at the bot
On. 0! the whole business.
The good people Of Grace Temple ought
10 turn out in force tomorrow night and
prevent the withdrawal OF the quasi con-
rent that has heen given. No action of the
.iurch can harm the memory OF Hiss
Davis or the South. but by doing an I'M
nst and discou-teous thing violative OF
he reconciliation movement inaugura led
~ Mr.. Mckinley. It can hurt itself an0
1s city and sci back peace and progress.