Daily press. [volume] (Newport News, Va.) 1896-current, 1908-05-31

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One Of the most gratifying evidenc,
es Of the liberal progress Of the age
is the fact that today the memory OF
Jefferson Davis is more highly res
pected In the North than at any time
since the Civil War began. nearly half
century ago, and that the memory
Of Abraham Lincoln Is accorded more
respect In the South than was award
ed to him at any time In the past.
writes Colonel A. X. Mcclure in the
June Confederate Veteran. These
names are inseparabIy interviewer
with the greatest achievements of the
last half century. which will ever he
studied with tireless interest b. those
who are students OF the history of our
country Both were born i'm the same
state of Kentucky, Lincoln in Hard
ing County on the 18th of February,
1909. and Davis in Christian County
(now TCdd) on the 3D. Of June, 1908.
Davis became President of the Con
federacy on the 10Th of February.
1861. and Lincoln was inaugurated
President of the United States 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
locks back over the appalling events
Of our Civil War, with its intense
passions persisted. must accept the
conviction that these two men. called
to supreme leadership in the heroic
struggle of the nineteenth century.
filled 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.
knew jefferson Davis brit slightly
before the war: had met him only in
a casual way Oh several occasions
He was somewhat austere in manner,
but always generous in courtesy when
personally approached The gradual
failure Of the cause Of the COnfcdera-
cy as its armies were finally defeated
and its resources exhausted naturally
led to aggressive and even violent as
saults upon the ruling power of the
Confederacy. and Davis was severely
criticised by many of his own section
as being at least measurably respOn-
sible for the disasters which b2fcll its
armies. He and Lincoln were educat-
ed from entirely different stand
points. 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 finally
graduated from West Point. That his
military education had much to DO in
shaping the policy OF his admnistra-
ton. / do not doubt. The only train
command; and while more than half
a score of military chieftains have
been elected to the presidency since
Washington. but two of them were
graduates of West Point-viz.. Taylor
and Grant-and both were utterly ig-
norant OF the political methods by
which men attain distinction. Davis,
a graduate of West Point, with high
ly creditable career as 4 soldier. nat
urally believed in military methods;
while Lincoln coming from close to
mother earth. had as his guiding star
only the considerable judgment Of the
people
Davis was man of most sincere
conviction and courageous action;
and when the Southern Confederacy
was about to be organized. his single
ambition was the command Of the
Confederate army. This had from
his own lips at his residence, Beau
voir. Miss. some fifteen years after
the war. He told me that when he
started for Montgomery. Ala. when
the movement, began for the organiza'
ton Of the Confederacy. he hoped to
be called TO the command of the
army: but before he reached Mont
geometry he was advised of his election
as Professionally President. When he
reached the new capital Of the Con
federacy. he found it impossible to
change conditions, and he was com
PEELED to accept the presidency. and
he entered upon that duty as con
scientiousiy as any pubic man ever
entered upon an official career. He
had been schoo!ed In the doctrine OF
state rights: and when his stale So
ceded. he retired from the United