The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1909-02-16
Where is the Seat
OF Sectional Feeling?

~ SSS-AOAAGAA = -
Day before yesterday the eenten-
NAL of Lincolns birthday was OBJ
served. A number of Southern men
made speeches, all in highest praise
of the war president OF the United
States. A number of southern pa
pers published editorials highly Iauda-
tory OF him. If there was one note of
discord from one end of the South
70 the other we have not heard *.
Why is this? Is the South with a
view of placating the North. pretend
Ing libera1ity it does not feel? There
was a time when a people not
as manly as the people Of the
South would have attempted to
pIacate their enemies, but the
South made no such attempts then,
and there is no need to make them
now. Opposing force with force the
Southern people took charge of the
government of their states and they
regained their rights in the Union.
In the war waged with shot and shell
ana bayonet the South was compelled
10 yield. In the political war that
followed the South went through the
fire and emerged victorious. The
republicans elect the president, but
the white men Of the South are Sc
cure in the control of their local af-
fairs and have no reason to prOpitiate
anyone.
Southern men praise Lincoln be-
against him that was founded on pas
sion and a misrepresentation of his
character has entirely passed away
and the South today claims an inter-
est in Lincoln, d man of Southern
blood and birth, an American of whom
al Americans may of right be proud.
But the South is considered narrow
minded. Those who do not know the
Southern people. but who are conf
dent that they know all things, say
the war is not over in the South. They
pose as broad-minded and progressive
while they represent the southern
people as living in the loves and
hates of the past. But what of the
Tacts? We have seen how the South
IeeIs toward Abraham Lincoln; how
does the North feel toward jefferson
Oavis2 Before the war he was one
IF the nations greatest statesmen and
soldier. In the greatest battle. that
Americans had at that time ever
fought he saved the day, turning
crushing defeat into a brilliant vic
cory by his promptness of action; and
yet, in most histories the account OF
the battle OF Buena Vista omits his
name out of difference to the pre-
JUDGES of the North.
Mr.. Davis was one of the best sec
retaries of war the nation ever had
In spite Of the disposition to ignore
him his name will always be asso-
ciated with more public works of ma
tional Importance than that of any
other man in America. A magnificent
bridge was built near Washington
under his direction as secretary OF
war. It is said to be the longest arch
on earth and yet it stands today mas
sive and strong as if put up within
the last year. and bids fair TO rival the
pyramids in durability.
Cabin John bridge is one of the
sights Of Washington-that city of
magnificence. Washingtonians take a /
pride in showing it. They tell YOU
that jefferson Davis conceived it and
approved the plans; but shat his
name has been chiselled from IT,
Lincoln was the political opponent
of the South: Davis was the political
opponent of the North--so far hey
are even. The North won; the South
lost and one would think the victor. |
in the Joy of success, would forget
sooner than the vanquished in the bit /
teTness of defeat. Davis was nothing
but the political opponent of the /
North; Lincoln was more 10 the /
South He cOnfiscated $4,000, 600 600 |
worth of southern property; he i'm /
poverished 100000 people. He never |
claimed a legal right TO do this and |
10 one can claim it for aim. He did |
r BY force, pleading the necessities OF |