The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 18??-19??, 1910-07-05

10 naIOnal Crisis
1t shall be alike re-
moved from ~unreasoning censure
and unreasonable praise. We need
NOT defy Mr.. Davis, or disprO-
UNFORTUNATELY exalt the pedestal or
which the Genius Of History will sure
L. place him, in order to show ade-
orate appreciation of his noble char
acter and splendid genius. On the
other hand, the use of bitter invective
and lurid supuriatives about this
man of destiny may evidence literary
ingenuity and partisan m~ali2nty, but
can never any more command the
rpsDect Of patriotic, thoughtful stu
dents Of our national history. The
DAYS of malignant ~vituperatiOn are
gone. and the time of judicial inter
probation has come. 1t is not neces-
sary now ito measure all facts by
considerations of latitude and longi-
tudt." The character and life work
Of Jefferson Davis were never so dill
GENT. and dispaSsionaiely studied as
they are today. War passions have
sufficiently cooled, n war clouds
have fl0ated from our national skies
that even the most ardent and senti-
mental n~atiOnaIiStS can study the mar
ana lsi0 1LliOo II " ~ "'iSS 80
citizen whose moral and religious
ideals were the most exalted, whcse
daily conduct was sought to be model
ed after the Man of Galllee, and whose
life has in 1t as little to explain Oh
apologize for as any leader in Anaeri-
can politics, car never be
as a monster or condemned as q
traitor. and nave anybody really be
ICye it.
~ TA1,.- I'D L;~ +io-~ orI
was not without hts of hu-
mar faults and frailties but he also
had extraordinary gifts n radiant
virtues and a brilliant genius that
rank him among the greatest men Oh
the centuries. He made mistakes be
cause he was mortal, and he excited
anita. OnisIns because his convictions
Were stronger than his tactful graces
but 40 one who knew him, and nG
dispaSsionate student Of his history
ever doubted the sincerity OF his grea'
soul or the absolute integrity of his
Imperial purpose.
While I would not needlessly still
the cmbers Of settled strife, or reoper
The graves Of buried issues, or by
word revive the bitter memories OF
q stormy past, it is due the truth
Of history that the fundamental rim
cipleS for which our fathers contend
ed should be often reiterated i'm orde1
that the purpose which inspired then
may be correctly estimated and tht
purity Of their motives indicated.
II the condition of affairs in 1860 b'
thoroughly understood, and one ha:
a clear and accurate knoWfedgt
Of the allure and character Of tn
Federal government, together will
the rights of the States unde tn
Constitution, we need not fear tn
judgments that may be formed ane
the conclusions that will be reached
Unfortunately for the truth Of history
up 10 recent years We have been con
1Fonted by dogInas which are b
tuted for principles, by ~preconceivet
opinions which are claimed TO be his
tnrlcaI V%erities. and by SeDtimentaIt.
winch closes the venues Of the mine
against logic and demonstration"
Fut before studying the lessons o
Il great cause, a great leader, and
great era, [ call attention to q mos
I"gloaI and unreasonable sentiment
"h."h vet fingers, but is fast fading
d sentiment universal in the Mort
ara more or less entertained IN tn
N'Ah-that which has PERSISTENT
oiSorIminated against Mr.. Davis, hold
ing MIN to for the ever-to-be
idInentrd War and all its terrible con
sequences, while others nave been &C
qdlit"d Of blame, and many applaude'
d. patriots and heroes. Upon hi
weary shoulders nave been piled tn
S-@ 81 the South, and he a bee1
exec rated as the arbitrator Of Amer
49," politics. Those who thus judg
nave taken counsel of their p~rejudices
al" violence an almost criminal lg
m,f"hce Of the facts of history. Wa
~ Davis more a sinner than Robe
Ice and Stonewan Jackson, tina
@ should be condemned and the,
)" universally praised? Did he fol
%~Ih8 flag for which they did no
the1r swords? Did he advocat
any doctrine to which thew did no
I1q"@ofibe, and write their James il
"a,'' Did he avOw allegiance to an
nn1Ngrhment to which they did no
nlt4Ge life and sacred honor? An'
''t IN some sections of our country