The San Francisco call., 1907-06-04
RICHMOND UNVEILS ITS
MONUMENT TO DAVIS
Remnant of Army of Con-
federacy Treads Streets
of Wartime Capital

RICHMOND, Va. June 3.-Under
nerfect skv. with bands playing Dixie"
and MARYLAND" the remnants OF the
army Of the confederacy passed throuSh
the streets of Richmond today ana OUT
Monument avenue and unveiled me-
mortal to Jefferson Davis. The event
came as the climax OF the reunion
Of the United Confederate Veterans ana
every man Of that body who was aeie
10 walk at all took part.
That the great multitude had gath-
cred for one purpose alone was eNl-
denced by the attitude or people toward
William J. Bryan, who was the guest
OF the reunion He was given re-
markable ovation as he drove through
the streets in the line Of march and
was cheered to the echo as he mounted
the stand 5ust before the program was
begun. At the conclusion of the cere-
n1ony there were a number or Calls Tor
him to address the people, but these
we're Immediately drowned IN cnorus
OF mo, no, no" many times repeated
The objections came from everywhere
and were led by the women OF tne
Jefferson Davis monument assoclaOon'
aIso General stephen Lee, grand master.
who presided at the stand and an
nounced in ringing tones;
There viii be no politics here
He turned 10 the crowd in every d.
rection and shouted the warning and X
had the desired effects
BRYAN MUCH PERTURBED
During the ceremony Mr.. and Mrs
Bryan had occupied an inconspicuous
position in the rear OF the speaker
stand out OF sight Of the people. AS
soon as his name was called Bryan
made a movement TO withdraw from
The stand. He realized that II he ap-
peared before the people political
move would be attributed TO him by
many and for that reason he had op-
posed going on the stand at all
When the monument was unveiled,
Mrs. ]. A Hayes OF Colorado Springs,
3 daughter Of Jefferson Davis, pulled the
, cord that held the canvas shroud which
covered the bronze statue. Her two
young sons, the grandsons Of the con-
federate president. caught the two
cords used 70 complete the unveilin5-
The monument 10 Jefferson Davis Is
the crowning feature Of Richmond S
great Monument avenue The memor-
F iai consists Of a semicircular colonnade.
terminating at either end in square
pier, with large column or shaft aris-
ing from the inclosed space. The semi
circle IS about so feet across. with a
depth OF 80 feet and stands 81 feet In
height. The monument typifies the vim
dication OF Davis and the cause of the
confederacy for which he stood before
the world. the leading inscription being
Dec Vindice" IGod viii vindicate)-
The coIonnade, composed Of 1s doric
columns besides the two end pieces.
rises about IS feet above the walkway
and has its frieze decorated with bronze
seals Of the II states that seeded ana
the three Others that sent representa-
tives and troops.
BRONZE FIGURE OF DAVIS
In the center of the space inclosed by
the column stands a large doric column
more than five feet in diameter. The
column forms a background for the
bronze figure of Davis and also carries
on its top an allegorical bronze figure,
whose right hand points to heaven and
whose title, "vindicatrix,'' represents
the whole spirit of the monument. The
large column bears the seal of the
scription. Jefferson Davis, President 81
the Confederate States of America
1s61-1665."
The bronze figure of Davis stands on
a great block OF granite in front of the
column and about u feet above the
roadway.
General Clement A Evans in his ora
tion paid tribute to the women of the
south. through whose efforts the statue
-AdA btSA erected Speaking OF the re-
suits Of the civil war and the criticism
directed at the defeated leader OF The
secession, he said:
He OHfliYed obOQuy; he saw detraction dI,
hy lis own sting he saw vicious censures put
To shame; he beheld resentmenfs OF south and
north withering in stem and root. leaving ns
seed He was not faultless IN judgment. but
De was upright, brave. fair and absolutely in
,orruptible. He is entitled TO the glorious
American judgment Of the present generation
which vii be rendered in consideration OF tn,
facts of his whole career. History viii surel,
give him honorable and distinguished place
among the noble characters Of past times.