The Tupelo journal., 1909-06-11
MIsslssPPps GIFT TO THE MISSISSIPPI


gulf coast, as it's most representative
building. For himself and his assoc
ciates upon the original commission,
DR.. Dunbar Rowland, Gov. JAS. X. Var
daman and Supt. j. N. Powers, he dis
claimed ALL credit for doing anything
excepting the choosing OF Mrs. Lockwood
for the work, which she SO splendidly
accomplished.
Mrs. Lockwood was charmingly intro
duced, Prof. Linwood vieing with Gov.
Noel in paying tribute to the noble wo-
manhood of Mississippi.
Mrs. Lockwood spoke at length, and
with great eloquence and force. She
referred to the ancient custom of level
ing the walls of cities, that heroes might
pass into them over ways untrodden
by the herd. Mississippi had no walls
to rae, she declared, but, seeking for
some original and unique method of
showing her appreciation OF the visit
of the battleship which bore her name,
she had knocked the bottom out of the
Mississippi river. Too much can hardly
be said il praise of Mrs. Lockwood's
speech in presenting the silver service.
1t was as perfect and as admirable after
it's kind as her work in this matter had
been throughout.
Following Mrs. Lockwood's speech,
Prof. Linwood introduced DIR. r. w.
Jones, the dean of Mississippi eduea-
tors, who, on behalf of the department
of archives, presented to the battleship
Mississippi a handsomely-bound library
of the history of the territory and state
of Mississippi.
In his speech of acceptance, on behalf
of the battleship, Lieutenant-Commande
Mccormick voiced the thanks of his cap
tain and crew, and spoke of the appre-
citation with which the navy department
observed the act. He touched upon the
one unpleasant incident of the whole
history of the silver service-the objec-
tion which had arisen in some quarters
over the placing of the name and por-
trait of Jefferson Davis upon the serv-
ice.
"There was an incident during our
stay at Natchez to which | particularly
wish to call attention. Also, it illus
trates the point that the most valuable
thing you give us is not the silver ves-
sells with their carving and ornamental
tion-whether that is Objectionable or
not-but your own deep interest and af-
lection in the battleship which was
named for you and in the men who
stand behind her guns. During our
visit to Natchez, Capt. Bowie presented
us with a flag, the colors taken by him
personally. That was a handsome thing
in Capt. Bowie. That flag meant Il
great deal to him and his family. 1t
was an heirloom of which any family
had a right to feel proud. 1t was pos
sibly the thing of all their possessions
of which they felt the most pride, but
they gave it to us. 1t is a testimonial
which we cherish equally as much as
this splendid and valuable silver service.
''The character of Jefferson Davis has
been touched upon. l wish to regard
for a moment the characteristic of an
other Mississippian, one who served up
on his personal staff, the secretary OF
the Confederate treasury, Judah L. Ben
iamin. Mr.. Benjamin was a representa-
tive of the Jewish people, a people noted
for their financial genius. In their
hands today reposes a large part OF the
wealth of this country. He was the
Kind of a man who refused to be recon-
structed. He had fought for principles
in which he believed. He lost, but rath-
er than acknowledge that he was wrong
in principle he chose exile from his be-
loved state. He passed the rest OF his
life in London. and there, a stranger In
a strange land, he rose by his genius
and his energy to the command OF large
wealth.
1.-THE hope of the South looks towards
the sea- declared acknowledgements
er Mccormick. mississippi is essential
ly concerned in the development of this
country's. commerce. The direction of
that rests largely in the hands
of our masters of finance, among whom
we must always reckon the Jews. The
people of Mississippi cannot afford to
underestimate a race capable of produc-
ING such a man as Benjamin, nor can
they forget that it was such men as he
whom jefferson Davis gathered about
hin for the furtherance of his purposes,
and whom he was able to dominate IN
their furtherance. This country con-
cedes nothing, but honors itself when
II renders to a man like this all that
is Justly his own. I know that the pro-
priety of engraving Mr.. Davis name
mon this silver service has been ques-
toned, and that some bitterness has
grown out of it in some quarters, but
we have codes for the determination OF
what is permissible and what is proper
in matters like this, and when these fail
we may still resort to the great tri-
bunal of public opinion. When that
fails us we have still an example for our
enlightenment, the example of the great
master. When his enemies sought to
entrap him, they brought him a penny
inscribed with the name of Caesar, and
they asked him whether it was lawful
thus to honor Caesar. He told them sim
Div to render unto Caesar the things
which are Caesars; and / say to you
all. render to jefferson Davis the things
that are his"