The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1902-07-22
Welcome Veterans.
Continued from Page 4

When jefferson Davis died. his Old
body servant Miles. who was then
living in Florida. learning Of his dan
gerous sickness. fastened TO be at
Ihls death bed. When he reached
New Orleans and saw crepe on the
door. 30 was more than be could
stand. and be burst into tears and
begged plte0usly 20 be taken 70 the
remains Of his old master. whom he
loved 20 well Governors Of states.
members Of congress and United
states senators were denied admis-
sion. Mrs. Davis. knowing Of the
tender relation existing between her
noble husband and bis slaves. direct.
ed that Miles should be permitted %
enter When he gazed upon the aead
be broke out in loud lamentations for
| "Marse Jeh Earnest were the
prayers OF this simple old negro for
the rest OF Sir Davis soul. and the
c0mfort OF his bereaved family lt
was a solemn and affecting scene;
an eloquent tribute 10 the kindness
of Jefferson Davis 70 his slaves
one OF the best eulogies that I
have ever heard was delivered By an
ex-slaye-Rev. A l. DotsOn, a pre-
siding elder in the colored Methodist
Church He spoke In Fort Worth.
Tex. just after Mr Davis died. The
speaker had lived on a plantation al
joining that of Mr Davis. and per
sonally knew all Of his slaves He
had seen Mr Davis often. He said
that he felt that IL was his privilege
and his duty 20 tell his race what
KIND Of a man Mr Davis was: that
better man and a kinder master
never lived. that he was the friend
and protector Of his servants He
then spoke al length on the causes
Of the war He read a letter from
Lincoln 10 Alexander II Stephens.
just before Mr Lincoln was inaugu-
rated. In which Mt Lincoln said that
90 was not the purpose OF the Repub-
lican party 20 interfere with slavery
In the states. and that the Southern
slave holders would be as safe in
their slaves under his administration
as they were under that OF Washing
ton; that the Republican party was
pledged 10 prevent the extension OF
slavery into the territories, and not
10 its extinction in the states. The
speaker then showed that Mr. Davis
vas not responsible for the establish
ment Of slavery. and had done all in
bis power TO mitigate its hardshlps.
Such is the universal testimony OF
all the negroes who ever knew him.
This proves that he possessed a truly
noble character. in that he was kind
10 and considerste Of the poor the
helpless and the humble
when General Grant was dying al
Mount McGregor. the Boston Globe
instructed lts New Orleans corrs-
sP0ndent 10 get Mr. Davis 10 write
a criticism upon Grants military ca
recr. such an article would have
been extensively read and would
have paid Mr. Davis handsomely He
was a poor man. The money would
have been legiumately earned. Lis
ten 20 the reply II you want 20 DO
justice 20 the dead Here Il f.:
Dear Sir. Your request, IN be
hair Of a Boston journalist, for me
, q, prepare a criticism Of General
Grants military career can not be
complied with. for the following rea-
sons:
First, General Grant Is dying
Second though he invaded our
country. il was with strong hand.
and. as far as know, he abetted
neither arson nor pillage. and has.
since the war. believe. showed no
malignity to Confederates, either OF
the military or civil service.
Therefore. instead OF seeking 10
disturb the quiet OF his closing hours,
I would, II It were in my power. con
Tribute to the peace Of his mind and
the comfort OF his body"
This shows the magnanimity Of
his character Envy and malice we're
strangers 10 his great heart. What
he said Of General Grant was but
the expression of the feeling OF the
South He fought us hard in war
but he too, was magnanimous in
lpeace. Il was Grant who suggested
when the immortal Lee surrendered
that the Confederate soldiers should
keep their horses. 20 cultivate
their farms il was Grant who or
dered that rations should be issued
90 famished soldiers; il was Grant
who defad President JohnsOn and