The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-01-29
Memorable Episode In The Lost Cause
 Accurately And Interestingly Told

W T. Sutherlin at Danville. at whose stately but hospitable home Jefferson Davis and his cabinet met for the last time, the following historic article, written by B. Boisseau Bobbitt and published a few years ago, is here re- produced, as follows:
 Weep not that the world changes-did
 1t keep
 A stable. changeless course, 'twere
 Bryant.
 Since Homer first sang to the deeds of prowess performed by Hector, the godlike Achilles and other Greek he- roes before the walls of sacred Troy, and thus immortalized that place, in all nations, the names of places at which notable events. affecting the govern ments and institutions of those coun- tries, have occurred have been carefully memorized and zealously guarded for tn cir historical and patriotic value by the people of those countries. Runny- mede has come down to us through the dim history of the middle ages to have a marked significance since there It was that John, King of England, In the year 1915. A. D., signed that great instrument of human liberty guaran- teeing some of the inalenable rights of man, the Magma Charta. The act of abdication signed by the Emperor Napoleon on April 6, 1914 at Fontain- bleau has made the name of that pal ace famous in French and European history. The surrender of Napoleon III of an army of 90,000 men In September, 1870, which event marked the retire ment of aforesaid Emperor as factor in European politics. and by which event the empire founded by him of which he had been the head ended tragically, made Sedan a name in his tory that will endure. Yorktown has justly become a memorable name in American history on account of its be- ing the place where. by the surrender of Lord Cornwallis' forces. American national liberty and independence were first definitely assured.
 In the history of our country, then, Yorktown marks the first definite step In the progress of events upon which the foundation of our nation as an in dependent and self-governing country rests. Likewise, Danville should mark the final step in the solution of the greatest and most perilous national crisis which our nation has endured, and upon which our entire future we'll fare and well-being for all time de- pended, for it was there that the final scenes in the civil war drama were by the Confederate government enacted. The end of the war. when the Confed crate government left Richmond its capital and became a wanderer having no place seemingly wherewithal it might become permanently established, was only partially assured But dur ing the occupation of and subsequent retreat from Danville by the govern nent, the end of the strife and blood shed was definitely assured. (
 I shall not here in any way enter into discussion in regard to the rela- tive merits of the legal and constitu- tional or moral questions involved In the conflict between the northern and southern states. To do so would be outside of the scope of the subject dealt with in this article However, must here digress to the extent of saying that it is now by impartial his torians conceded to be a well estab- lished fact that the Confederate states had undoubtedly a well defined con- stitutional right to secede from the them to have exercised this right as they did was, to say the least, extreme ly impractical and injudicious.
 However much we may differ in our opinions in regard to these things, the fact remains. that these events of which I have spoken, constitute to all Americans a subject of supreme inter est. And to our people. 1t naturally fol lows, that the end of the civil govern ment in the Confederate states with the last wholly official act. proclama- tion, by the highest executive authority together with some of the particulars in regard to those things attendant upon those acts. is ever a subject of acute interest. Knowing these things and also knowing that no definite and accurate detailed accounts of them which Is easily accessible to the public has ever been prepared, and wishing to preserve for the benefit of posterity, as we'll as of ourselves the actual facts, I have taken some pains to secure recital of them at first hand from one who was intimately associated with Jefferson Davis and his cabinet during these closing scenes which heraldec and marked the fall of the Confederate government and who Is undoubtedly the best qualified living person to re- count them. Any statement made by this person would require no corrob- orative proof, which, however, is not to substantiate 1t.
 Hon. Jefferson Davis in his "Rise and says Though the occupation of Danville was not expected to be per manent. immediately after arriving there rooms were obtained, and the diff ferent departments resumed their routine labors." Since this was the last place at which the departments carried on their routine labors, and since while they did this the capital was located here; therefore. this place Is entitled ciedTiy to tie uiStiHotioH ol peliS Cdil- ed "The Last Capital of the Confeder- arcy"
 When 1t became evident to General Lee that 1t would be impossible for him to longer hold the defenses guarding the capital. his main line of defenses at Petersburg having been broken. which necessitated a withdrawal of his other forces, he advised President Davis, in telegram received by him