The Montgomery advertiser., 1906-09-23
A pELArEp RrPAnArIoN.

A RELATED PREPARATION.
 The announcement that the name of Jefferson Davis is to be restored to the marble inscription on the famous Cabin John Bridge at Washington the most fragrant acts of small malice that was ever ,perpetrated by any gov ernment. It is not necessary to 50 in- to history of the construction of what has been one of the show places of Washington for more than half a century. The marble tablet with its inscriptions was placed there as a memorial to the promoters of the en- terprise. Among the most prominent of these names Was that of Jefferson Davis of Mississippi, who. as Senator from his State and as Secretary of War under resident Pierce made for himself name and reputation second to few statesmen of modern times.
 All would have been well had not the secession of the Southern States taken place. Although he was always an in tense Southefner. the talents and ser vices of Mir. Davis caused him to occu- py a high place in the respect and es- teem of the people of all sections of the Union. But when he went out of the Union with his State, and when he la- ter became President of the Confed- eracy, Northern sentiment changed. and from being considered a patriot and statesman he became traitor whose very name was abhorrent to the truly loyal residents of the North and East. His was no longer looked on as name to be honored, so 1t was con- temptuously erased from the structure he had assisted to erect.
 Just who was really responsible for this act or ininitesimally petty malice has been question of some doubt. It has been attributed to General Meigs. who was engineer of the aqueduct which is part of the bridge. but it doesn't seem probable that an army officer would be guilty of such an act. Again, it has been credited to Simon Cameron, who was a bitter hater, and who was Lincoin's first Secretary of War Again the crime has been laid at the door of Edwin M. stanton, Cam cron's successor in the War Depart ment If he did the deed, or caused 1t to be done there would be no cause of surprise, when we consider the charac- ter of the man. His very soul was steeped in bitterness and malice, and no feeling of tolerance or forgiveness could be found in his heart for those who went with the Confectionery, espe- cally for one as prominent and high toned as Mir. Davis.
 Now we are informed that some one who has made a thorough investigation of the affair has fixed the responsibil- ity on Caleb B. Smith, who was Lin eoln's first Secretary of the Interior. He was from Indiana and shared all the malice and bitterness felt by the adherents of Lincoln against MT. Da- wis., He only held the position few months, but long enough to give an opportunity to show what small and contemptible act he could be guilty or, fl he really did 1t. But even in the North they are feeling ashamed of .t. and The Indianapolis Star says:
 It has at last been impressed upon
  movaI was an improper and foolish thing and that purely in the interest of history the name should be restored. This. 1t Is understood. will probably be done before long and source of petty wran.ling ended. Even though Davis took up arms against his gov ernment later this fact should not be made to hide any commendable acts of his earlier career.
 It is some encouragement and satis- faction to know that even at this day 1t has been impressed upon the com- munity' that the Lincoln government did a very small thing. for it Is hardly probable that any official would have ordered such a proceeding without the knowledge and approval of the admin istration The restoration of the name Is probably the only reparation the government can now make but it can not thus wipe out the shame of the original act.