The Washington herald., 1908-05-31
JEFF" DAVIS AND "ABE" LINCOLN.

Col. A. X. Mcclure. Of Philadelphia.
writes in the Confederate Veteran for
June as follows:
"One of the most gratifying evidences
Of the liberal progress Of the age is in
the fact that to-day the memory Of JEFF
ferson Davis is more highly respected In
the North than at any time since the
civil war began. nearly half a century
ago. and that the memory Of Abraham
Lincoln Is accorded more respect in the
South than was awarded 10 him at any
time in the past. These names are in
separately interviewer with the greatest
achievements of the last half century
which will ever be studied with tireless
interest by those who are students Of the
history OF our country
Both were born in the same State Of
Kentucky. lincoln In Harding County.
on the 18th Of February. 1909, and Davis
in Lhrlstian County now Todd on the
Sd OF June, 1S0S. Davis became president
OF the Confederacy on the 18th OF Febru-
airy. 1861, and Lincoln was inaugurated
President Of the United States a fort
night later. Lincoln fell by the hand of
the assassin on the 18th Of April 1865.
and the public career Of Davis ended by
his capture on the 10th of May of the
same year. The careful and dispassionate
student who now looks back over the ap-
palling events of our civil war, with its
intense passions perished, must accept
the conviction that these two men, called
to supreme leadership in the most heroic
struggle OF the nineteenth century. filed
their respective positions with equally
sincere devotion to what they accepted
as patriotic conviction. and there is not
a blemish upon the record Of either.
L knew Jefferson Davis but slightly
before the war; had met him only in a
casual way on several occasions. He was
somewhat austere In manner. but always
generous in courtesy when personally ap-
preached. The gradual failure of the
cause Of the Confederacy as its armies
were finally defeated and its resources
exhausted naturally led TO aggressive and
even violent assaults upon the ruling
power of the Confederacy. and Davis was
severely criticised by many of his own
section as being at least measurably re-
sponsble for the disasters which befen
its armies.
"'He and Lincoln were educated from
entirely different standpoints. Lincoln
grew up with little advantage from
schools and none from colleges. but ever
in sympathy with the people who were
of his own class. Davis was of gentler
birth. had as good educational facilities
as could be obtained in his day, and fin
ally graduated from West Point. That
his military education had much to do in
shaping the policy Of his administration,
l do not doubt. The only training OF the
West Point soldier Is TO command; and
while more than half a score OF military
cbIeftains have been elected to the Pres
idency since Washington, but two OF them
were graduates of West point-viz.. Tay-
lor and Grant-and both were utterly ig-
norant OF the political methods by which
men attain distinction Davis. gradu-
ate Of West Point, with highly credi-
table career as a soldier. naturally be-
lieved In military methods; while Lincoln,
coming from close TO mother earth, had
as his guiding star only the considerate
judgment Of the people.
Davis was a man OF most sincere con-
viction and courageous action and when