The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1907-06-19
Reply to Gen. Bonham.

Reply to Gen.
We take pleasure In publishing anything
from SO %chivalrous and so knightiy a gentle
man as Gen. Bonnam.
We always try to be more polite than
"the other fellow" but in this instance We
shall only make effort to come as near as We
can 10 bis standard.
This editor, speaking for himself, thinks
General Bonham is mistaken in thinking
that I reflected upon the service and oharac.
ter Of Jefferson Davis. ~ only meant to pro
test againt the sickly sentiment and the
toadying to q great man. I am not much o.
an idolator, but II I were going to exhaust the
list OF superlatives In reference TO any Con,
federste, I would apply them to Lee. he was
q born gentleman, a great soldier, and a lover
OF bis country. In fact, he was the Christian
patriot.
I think JEFF Davis had in him the elements
Of greatness. I think, too, that he was. per
haps, the most sagaclous man that enlisted
In the war, and the possession Of that sagaci-
ty did not commend his action during the
last year or two Of the war.
When the wal broke out he warned the
people against allowing the boys to enter the
army. He 10 reported to have said that
1t would be like grinding seed corn"
Having ssgscity like that I am obliged u
believe that Mr.. Davis ought to have known
for many months before the close OF the war
that our cause was hopeless. But he fought
fought q fight.
After the Virginia army and the Western
army had surrendered. he certainly knew
that his cause was hopeless. But while he
was on the run, he held a consultation at Alb.
sbeville with q view OF making q fight by the
guard who was following him, when other
widows and orphans would have been use
lessly made.
His conduct was in striking contrast with
that OF Alexander Stevens. Runners came
TO him and advised him to seek refuge. His
reply was: when the Federal authorities
want me, they will find me at home In Craw-
louisville" As q great man, I do not think
that Mr.. Davis should nave sought safety
In flight. He should have been "at home"
when he was wanted.
But, as he thought best to run, I think 1t
was unfortunate that he was caught wearing
his wife's clothes.
IfMr. Davis had been the great mar that
LILO Oioko w aAha w LOW oO0ey o0
would nave lone as did ell other gentlemen
OF the South. He should not have sulked an d
refused to take the oath Of allegiance. 1t
was foolish n childish In him to perform
the baby act In saying that he had no country.
I did not admire the act OF Mr.. Davis
soon after the val wheI sby he allowed pa
triotic women to collect from his impover-
ished soldiers one dollar zach for bis benefit.
As a proud and honorable man he should
have refused aims and gifts from poor peo-
pie.
II Mr.. Davis had been the great man, the
patriot, the lover Of his people, and all that,
he should have made terms before the las
Confederate soldier was either killed or cap.
tured. He should have made peace before
the o Barn Burner" traversed the country
with sword and torch. II Mr.. Davis had half
OF the sagacity during the latter half OF the
wal that he had at the beginning, he must
have known that the fight and dest ruction o.
property for the last year. was useless.
As q great man, as q high man. as q hui
msritarian, Mr.. Davis was not entirely
blameless for the scenes that occurred at
Unreasonable AS far as I now recall, the
facts about Andersonville are only the things
OF which 1 feel ashamed of In the conduct OF
the war.
Mr.. Davis was q man Of strong will power.
He had in him the characteristics OF the
sutocrat, and he needed not the advice OF bis
cabinet. He had enemies to punish and
friends to reward. These friends were
rewarded, 80 thought some OF the people at
the time.
That Mr.. Davis had al heart the success oil
the war nobody can doubt. He was willing
that any sacrifice should be made to accom-
plish that purpose. Whether he was the
patriot or the ambitious ruler, is for each
man to Judge for himself. l think he was
ambitious. / do not know wherein he had
the rood OF the people at heart. 1 do not
know, without definition, what Is meant by
"patriotism.' II may mean love OF country.
wherein personal fame and glory may be
found; or "patriotism" may mean the great
est good to the great number-number one
being the greatest number.
Mr.. Davis, in prison. could have suffered no
more thar did thousands Of his soldiers in
Northern prisons. In prison was the only