The Greenville times. [volume] (Greenville, Miss.) 1868-1917, 1903-01-17
wirona. Miss. Dec. %, 1902.

Editor Clarion-Ledger:
Col. John Cussons in his admirable
little boob" Glance at Current His
tory" describes an element OF South
ern citizenship which, for more than
three decades, has persistently and in
dustriously sought reconciliation"
at the hands of the Northern brothers
from whom, these overtures have re-
ceived scant recognition.
Col. Cossuns further says, in speak
ing of these "chronic reconcilers,
that people who are overhasty to Tor
give may be equally ready to forget
their friends.
Director Rowland's feeble and
awkwardly arranged scheme OF secur-
ing his gallery of Mississippi S" great
est men was, by most Mississippians,
generously regarded as an innocent
blunder, but when in the multitude
of his own council he suddenly leaped
TO the conclusion that Mr.. Lincoln
was the one and only president of the
United States whose portrait might
ftly adorn his Hall of Fame" pre-
sumably Intended for Misissippians
only, he thrusts, in vital spot, the
historical proprieties Of the state and
deals blow to her dignity and man
hood that ELECTS not unmixed with a
tinge of resentment.
The merits, capabilities and
achievements of Mr.. Lincon as
man are not called into question III
one Of the greatest figures Of his age
his record has passed beyond the limi
Of legitimate discussion. History
and especially Northern history will
abundantly.. take care of him. The pre-
sent and future generations Of MISS
ssippians should be permitted to stud
him in the facts and philosophy o
history by the light of matured in
telligence, but it is not sound dietit
nor civic sanitation that he should b
e dispensed to their teething intellect
as the only reliable baby food for IL
fantile patriotism. In all the ag'
of civilized man the ethics Of combs
have contemplated that when ind
viduals, pa. ties or governments al
peal their issues to arbitrament
physical forces, the vanquished shoul
accept, in good faith, the term
: of the victor, but the olive branch
of courtesy and Cancellation shou
always be first extended to fallen II
by the magnanimity of his triuml
antagonist. 1t carries with it, the
: the aroma of true valor; but WHIT
these amenities come ever unsoliclt'
and always unreqiured, from Il
weaker party they reek with the cd
Id of sycophancy and chill like the co
and clammy hand Of insincerity.
When any Northern state shall ha
placed the portrait Of Mr.. Davis
u its capitol it will be an appropria
~ recognition of the courtesy to pla
Mr.. Lincolns in ours. Some
lie the chronic "reconcilers' go in
q ecstacies every time a Northern writ
l. or speaker tenders a cramped al
r. crumpled compliment to Lee or JAG
I'd son. 1t ought to be APPARENT to al
~ Southern man that i'll limiting the
rs expressions of esteem to Lee, t
lie Interior purpose is gradually b
Up effectually obscure and minimize
y Davis and retire him as far as pos
T., Bile, in the estimation of his oy
1e people. By continually denou
" cling and ignoring Mr.. Davis viii
IS pretending to respect and ADM
or others, they hope ultimately
90 generations recedes from the W
o. period, to promote decay and disin
grafton of the love and admirati
Ie for Mr. Davis which the south |
err thus far cherished They would
his memory die of neglect at his
g. home. To our shame be it sa
the deadly process is already
work. 1t is not unusual now, to hi
from the lips of Southern orators,
il progressive representatives Of
II "new era," the names of Lee a
II Lincoln associated as the highest ty
II OF Americans to the utter exclusion
II jefferson Davis. This pattern
II
II eloquence is gradually being install
II not only in the academies and C
II leges, but also in the puplits
II Mississippi.
II 1t is legitimate and rational
II draw comparisons between Lee a
II Grant as great men and great co
II manders, but it is historical absurd
II to associate Lincoln and Lee. I'll
l. have absolutely nothing in comm'
II Davis and Lincoln are the conspicu'
II tragedians between whom HISTORY g
II posterity must decide. Lee '
II simply one of Mr.. Davis lieutenan
II just as Grant was one Of Lincol
II lieutenants.
II Davis and Lincoln were head 9
II front the embodiment, the respect
II representatives and opponents of t
II antagon4stic and hostile theories
X government.
II Mr.. Davis was a statesman.