The gold leaf. [volume] (Henderson, N.C.) 1881-1911, 1908-06-11
jefferson Davis.
Eloquent Tribute Paid To His
Life and Character On the
Centennial Anniversary OF
His Birth---Address of Hon.
Thomas w. Mason Deliver
ed In Raleigh June 3fd, 1908.

lofty III I0eallSln anu cledI III lUo pa
triotisrn, the address on "The Lie OF
Jefferson Davis" delivered by Hon.
Thomas ". Mason OF Northampton
Yesterday was a true estimate OF the
worth and Just appreciation OF the
character OF the foremost exponent OF
the doctrine Of States rights, head OF
the Southern revolution and only
president OF the Confederate States OF
America. The centennial annlyer-
sarv of the birth OF Jefferson DAVIS
was appropriately observed, the ex-
ercises being held in the chapel OF the
Soldiers Home underline auspices OF
the Daughters OF the Confederacy.
The Grafton OF Capt. Mason was that
of q master OF his theme and OF both
the grace and strength OF oratory.
1t was dignified, stately, discrimlna-
ting. instructive, inspiring. 1t was
an Grafton that had freshness and
originality, did full Justice to the
pure character and great ability OF
Mr.. Davis without q fulsome word or
eXtravagant sentence. The dlctlon
was "a well of English indebted and
the delivery that OF born orator.
1t charmed and thrilled the apprecla-
tive audience.
There is no man i'll North Carolina
who can speak with greater elOquence
upon the Southern cause OF the COS
than Capt. Mason, and none can
speak more appreciably and faithfully
OF the great, grand Davis than the
orator of yesterday, who knew his
subject personally and was an actor
III the thrilling drama of which he
spoke. He was frequently applauded,
touching deeply the hearts OF his
auditors.
Capt. Mason spoke OF Mr.. Davis as
the heroic incarnation of the old life
of the South, and said that he would
remain crowned with the halo OF
great sacrifice, Il peer among the inn
mortals lie gave n reference to Mr..
Davis death and burial in the city
of New Orleans i'll 1899, and the
great honor paid him by people,
both of the North and OF the South,
mentioning also the conduct OF his
former slaves i'll their warm express
sions of sympathy for his widow and
of love and gratitude to him for his
kindness to them, saying that this
action on their part was ''trumpet-
tomgued against the deep damnation
of the wrong done him by those who
accused him of inhumanity to prison
ers OF war at Andersonvillc and else
where.
Captain Mason declared that i'm
partial history would lead him to his
place among the sons of men who
have so wrought that death but leads
them from their last great victory in
triumphal procession unto the pOr-
tails OF the graves. After describing
the life of the people of the old South
and especially their keen sense OF
State pride, the speaker said that
among such Il people who feared God
and loved the State, and in such Il
home, Jefferson Davis was nurtured.
Davis was born in Kentucky, on the
Bird day of June, 1908; within a year
thereafter. and on the tame soil, was
born Abraham Lincoln. The father
OF Jefferson Davis moved to MISSISSIPPI
pi, and the father of Abraham Lin
coin moved to Illinois. Captain
Mason then rave Il brief sketch oft he
Black Hawk war. in which Lieutenant
Davis and Captain Lincoln fought
side by side under command of Gen
eral Zachary Taylor. He sketched
the life of Davis upon the plantation
ut Briarfeld, Miss. after Davis had
resigned his commission in the army
and married tie daughter OF General
Taylor. He spoke of the association
between MIR. Davis and his brother,
the late Joseph Davis, who resided on
an adjoining plantation, and the
formation OF Davis political creed
formed in that association, the sum
OF which was, that when Il State at
tempted to withdraw from the Union
as last resort. the Federal govern
ment had no constitutional right to
cOerce this sovereign party remain
Il member OF the compact. He briefly
skCtched the entrance of Davis into
Congress in 1915, when his first pub
lie utterance called forth the remark
of John Quincy Adams, Eve shall
hear from this young man again.
Captain Mason spoke of Davis MeXi
can war record and his return to his
home ut Briarfeld at the close o.
that war. when he was offered by
President Polk the commission O
Il brigadier general, but he declined
the honor because he was awaiting
orders from the State of Mississippi
He was never an Ottice-Seeker ht
always waited to be called" sale
Captain Mason, but when the State
called him, whether to the field or tC
the forum, he never hesitated to obey
the call. Thus hegave us the noblest
rule OF political conduct and the SAT
est test of true citizenship. He die
not have long to wait. With word.
OF praise and honor he was commits
stoned 20 take his seat in the Sen at,
OF the United States, where he becam,
the exponent and leader of the States
rights men OF the South on the foo
OF the Senate. He was never a time
serving politician. He never shirkeC
Il responsibility. He was the soul O
honesty and candor. He knew abso
lutely nothing of the arts of diplo
macy. He lived up to the faith tina
was i'll him and to his convictions o
duty"
Capt. Mason sketched the office O
Davis as Secretary of War undo
IIeSlueuI L eTce, saying IilaU lie wa
not only the most trusted adviser O
the President, but his most intimate
friend and companion. He spoke o
the Davis home in Washington a
the center of attraction. Here gath
cred those of opposing opinions t.
enjoy the charms of his conversation
On one such occasion he espresso,
surprise to Senator Seward, of Ney
York, at some position taken by hin
upon the floor of the Senate. MI
Seward explained that he had onl
spoken FOR the public ear and not 70
Mrs s. L. Bowen, of W a gne, " Va, write
1 was a suf erer from kid ney disease, S