The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1907-05-15
The Davis Centennial.

Editor of The Times-UiSpatch:
'Sir,-Permit me to express my I'M
qualified dissent from the position taken
by Colonel VIM. o. SHELTON and Mr.. Lyon
G.. Tyler in their letters on the Jefferson
Davis centennial, where they refer to
Abraham Lincoln. Colonel SHELTON says:
Naturally and properly in 1909 the
United States government will seek and
get the consent of all the people to unite
in recalling the work and good qualities
OF President Lincoln on the centennial of
his birth" etc Such a thing as the
South's desiring to recall the evil work
upon the Southern Confederacy might
seem proper" If hardly natural by
members Of the Republican party-tile
party of which Lincoln was the head
and front: but that Confederate veterans
should express such sentiment is most
generation. but he has shown himself a
good Southerner, and proved by his his
torical writings In more than one in
stance. Why, then, should he now place
Lincoln on plane with Davis? 1t Is an
insult to our Southern President to name
him in the same breath with the other
one:
80 excellent king; that was to this,
Hyperion to a satyr.'
The peerless Christian gentleman,
statesman, patriot and defender of the
liberties of his people. how he contrasts
with the vulgar tyrant and buffoon. with
his tricky cleverness and his utter ig-
norance of real craftsmanship! Lincoln's
personal traits, in all their moral obli-
guilty. 50 carefully concealed by the
present day, are plainly set forth by
Herndon and Lamon, Lincoln's personal
friends and early associates. The
'ghastly revelations" of these biogra-
they fill the normal Southern mind with
ioathing and disgust for the North's
hero" and saint" But these books
are becoming more and more difficult
timore Sun tells OF his effort to set a
(the early edition, for there Is an ex-
purgated edition on the markeD, and he
was told by the publishing house
through whom he applied. that it had
been suppressed" This same writer
In the sun says that he showed this
book, which is yet to be seen In some of
the public libraries. to a brilliant Har-
ward student who had been taught to
"apotheosize'' Lincoln, and it was a re
violation" to him. In the interest OF his
of civic righteousness, we should all seek
to open the eyes OF the blind North and
South, To tho true character Of this man,
as well as to the enormous injuries in
| hicted upon American institutions by
| his public career.
Richmond people have every facility
for knowing something about ''The Real
| Lincoln through the book with that
title by the late Charles l., c. Minor
published by Everett Waddey, and
now in its second edition, Let me recon-
mend to Colonel SHELTON and others who
may need the information two other pub
locations which throw light on Kin.
coins character and achievements" so.
called: Facts and Ialsehoods Concern
ing the War Of Secession by George Ed
monds.. Memphis. Tenn, and Acts OF the
! Republican Party as Seen by History,
by G, Gardner, from rhe Eddy Press Cor
! poration Winchester, Va
II It be both an agreeahle and praise
worthy action to give honor where honor
Is due, It Is no less duty, however dis
agreeable. to lend ones aid in pulling
down the false gods. in destroying the
idols Of wood and stone. And in so doing
/ we give evidence of that detestation re-
ligion enjoins upon as "for all manner
OF fraud. Injustice and wrong"
KATE MASON ROWLAND.