The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1907-06-03
MONDAY, JUNE 8, 1907.
The making OF friends, who nrc
real friends, is the best token we
have of man's success in lifc.-Id-
ward Everett Hale.
rnEs1pENr JErFEnsoN DAVIS.

PRESIDENT JEFFERSON DAVIS.
To-day the people Of the South,
gathered here from all parts of what
was once a hopeful Confederacy, will
unveil a monument to President JEFF
{ferson Davis, which signifies more than
"a tribute in granite and bronze to one
.who served them faithfully and suf-
tfered much in war and peace. It sig
5nif1es the vindication of their dead
President and of the South. 1t stands
here in the old capital to bear ever
lasting proof Of their loyalty to prin-
u iplc and undying evidence Of their
belief that President Davis wurred in
O patriotic cause. 1t stands here to
resent and disprove the calumny that
| Jefferson Davis was guilty Of high
treason. It stands here as rebuke
to those who indicted him and would
have tried him, had they dared, for
an Infamous crime alleged. 1t stands
here as our testimonial to his great
ness, his courage, his fidelity, and to
remind General Nelson A. Miles that
when he put the cruel shackles on the
fee. of his helpless prisoner he stung
every Southern heart; and to-day they
iErejoice, as citizens Of reunited coun-
] try, that they may honor their Presi-
dent and put the final blessing on his
name and deeds.
Mr.. Davis was not "dashing figure"
OF the war. 1t was not his to lead the
charge, to win victories on the field,
and to receive the shouts OF praise for
gallant conduct in battle. Els part
was to endure at home. to direct the
course of events, to provide the sincws
.tpf war-aye, and to BEAR THE
BLAME. Never man bore it with more
courage and better grace during the
war and after the war, even to the
end of his cventfu life. We have
sometimes thought that here lies the
secret of the devotion OF the Confed-
crate women to Mr.. Davis. They, bet
ter than all, unders tand how and what
he suffered and SO patiently endured
lin the oppressive dulness at home,
while the men at the front were revcl-
ing in the excitement Of war. But
God Almighty alone'fully knew what
such confinement meant to jefferson
Davis, who was educated soldier, and
who HAD seen active service on the
frontier and In Mexico, No man made
greater sacrifice than he for the South
Z ern Confcderacy, and none more richly
i deserves q monument.
d. When the first rumbling of war was
! heard, Mr. Davis was member of the
United States Senate from Mississippi
knowing no other allegiance than that
to his native State. With the dsrup.
ton Of the Union aud the call to arms
the only thing left for him to do, as
one loyal to his oath, was TO walk out
of that Senate chamber and back to
+ his people as a volunteer in arms His
act was not even technically treason
able. At that time there was no sucl
Z thing in law as a citizen of the United
States" as Mr.. Justice Brewer has de-
clared. The "citizen Of the Unite,
States was created by the fourteert,
amendment, and not until that amend
ment was adopted When Mississippi
seeded, Mr.. Davis was a citizen of tina
State. and she had his sworn allegiance
+ There was no honorable course TO hin
&ahut TO follow the mug vi his state
Had he done otherwise. he would hav,
4 been traitor in fact, as well as /,
law, To Mississippi. The declaration
Of Justice Brewer alone was a sum
+ Client vindication of the course Of JEFF
I ferson Davis and Robert Il, Lee
But the war is over. AMI there Il
peace in all the land. In building thes,
is, monuments we do not seek to rckindl
& hostility or revive bitterness. The oil,
ID soldiers who are limping In camp an,
grnerving themselves for the final marcl
Il would enlist under the Stars ant
y Stripes to-day and fight by the sid
Il Of those against whom they fought 1,
" 1876 If foreign foe invaded The,
~ have not come In the evening of nj
ri with malice Of heart They have com
on the anniversary Of their President
\ birth to pledge anew their loyalty t
\ his memory and the principle for whic
they fought. In this year Of grac
and peace the South Will ylndieate ~
State are here to take part In 4!
glorious ceremony. s.
''JIe t,at d.ea " an earnest pursu