The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1907-06-04
Speech of Gen. Evans at
dwelling Yesterday of
Monument to Mr.. Davis

Richmond, Va. June 3.-Genera,
Clement A. Evans was the orator of
the day at the unwilling of the Davis
monument today. General Evans be
gan his address with a tribute 10 the
women Of the South. through whose
efforts the statue to Mr.. Davis had
been erected.
Taking up then the Influences which
had moulded the life of jefferson Da-
Wis. the speaker traced his lineage
from English ancestors. who migra-
ted TO America TWO generations be
fore his birth. settling in the South.
His father and his grandfather on
his fathers side had fought in the
revolutionary war. and three elder
brothers had bCgne arms in the war
Of 1872 Nh Davis was appointed 10
the National Military Academy by
President Monroe and graduated in
1925. receiving appointment as lieu
tenant ~ once he was assigned 10
ardUOus service in the great western
country, TO protect settlers against
Indian incurSionS and attacks.
Early Experience.
After service Of seven years. dur
ing which he won fame which his
country gladly gave him then. and
should not forget now" Mr.. Davis re-
turned to his Mississippi home. from
which he was sent Immediately 10
congress. Two years later, the MeXi-
can war threatened, and resigning
his place in congress he led a reSi-
ment Of Mississippi Rifles. He rem
dered brilliant service at Monterey
and BUena Vista. and returned once
more TO his Mississippi home. He re-
sumed his political career. being sent
to the United States senate. and WAS
in the cabinet of President Pierce as
secretary of war.
In The Civil War;
With the consideration of Mr..
Davis's political career. the speaker
discussed at some length the issues
which led TO the civil war, mainly the
right of secession. He said Mr.. Davis
accepted the ideas of the eminent
makers of the constitution. and be-
lieved that they had ordained and
established d general government.
which had ample powers 70 conduct
the states TO the broadcast, and loftiest
national glory, without having CON
ferred a grant of even zone power to
Cypress any citizen or class of citi-
zens. nor to discriminate against a
section nor scOuvge a state"
Quoting Mr.. Davis s words. as long
as | ned a seat IN the senate, my pest
efforts were directed to the mainten-
ance of the constitution. of the Union
resulting from it, and to make the
general government an effective agent
for its prescribed purposes. AS soon
as the paramount allegiance due TO
Mississippi forbade a continuance of
these efforts. | withdrew from the. po-
sitiOn."
The civil war and Mr.. Davis's CON
neCtiOn with the leadership of the
government and armies
was considered at length, and coming
TO the results of that war, to the crit
cismS that were passed on the de-
feated leader, the speaker said, He
outlived oblequy; he saw detraction
die by its own sting: he saw vicious
cenSureS put to shame; be heheld re-
sentm entS of South and North WitheT
in stem and root, leaving no seed.
Great, Though Not FauItIess.
He was not faultfess in judgment,
but he was upright, brave. fair. and
absolutely incOrruptible. He is en-
titled TO the generous American judg |
menL OF the present sober age, which 4
Will be rendered on: consideration of /
the facts OF his whole career. History
give him an honorable and /
place. among the noble |
of past time All the Gle
nentS of greatness were components
If his life, and it cannot be insisted
hat success in his last service of his
people was necessary to make him
,ruly great, although had the Confed-