The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1912-04-28
An APPRECIATION.
sennt"r Smith on Jefferson Ur,Is and
the Confederate Soldier

Especial 10 The Times Dispatch1
~; interesting chapter from tho
! history Of the Civi War, having to do
mond, the capital of the Confedcracy.
| win the operations OF the Army of
Northern Virginia and the fall OF Ricn-
mond' the Capital of the Confcderacy.
were recently added TO the archives OF
| the Senate OF the United states
IN the course OF his remarks nro-
testing against the payment OF nen-
/ slons 10 persons. many OF whom he
| claimed were enlisted In the Union
army after the war was practically
| ended, Senator Bryan. OF Florida. said
that ouch condition Of AFFAIRS should
not DO allowed 10 exist Al this point
senator William Alden Smith. OF Mich
isan, addressed the Senate, paying a
glowing tribute 10 tine vaior Of the
Confederate soldier and President JET
ferson Davis. Hundreds OF loyal Com
iederates Will no doubt read these re-
marks with more than ordinary inter
| est. especially those who took part In
the lighting around pichmond
~ great deal has been said by the
Senator from Florida about the war be
ING over before these later enllstmcnts
! took place in 1855, Senator Smith said.
without any intention whatever of re-
/ wing unpleasant memories. in fact.
In q spitst ot admiration and OF the
highest APPRECIATION for their -ailantry
ana Ha!or. and praise for the men OF tue
south who fought in the rebellion l
| say mat II was very difficult 10 con.
vince them they had been whipped.
although they made little permanent
! headway against the North and gave
J "ay only after the nVst stubborn re-
distance. am going TO read. In re-
! ply TO these statements OF Southern
Senators. the actual condition OF af-
/ fairs as viewed by the commander In
| chief Of the Confederat. army more
than two months after the enlistmcn,
} of tho men whose records arc being
called III question to-day"
Il read an address delivered by JEFF
| terson Davis in Danvillc, Va, on April
:. 1865:
"Danvinc, Va, April {. 1863.
| ITO tho people OF the Confederate
States OF America:
The generai-in chief of our arnh'
has found 1t necessary 10 make such
| movements OF tho troops as TO uncover
the capital and thus involve the with
drawal of the government from the
| city OF Richmond.
1t would be unwise. oven were IL
possible, 10 conceal the great moral
as we'll as mateHal Injury 10 our
| cause that must result from tn. occu-
| patton OF Richmond by the enemy. 1t
, ~ tVudl'S unNlSc anu unworthy OF uS,
an patriots engaged In q most sacred
| cause. TO allow our energies To faltcr.
our spirits TO grow faint. or our ef-
| forts TO become relaxed under reverscs,
| however calamitous. While il has been
10 us Il source of national pride that
| for four years OF unequaled warfare
| we have been able In close proximi
| ~ to the centre OF the enemy's pow
CIR, 10 maintain the seat of our chosen
\
| his presence; while the memories of
the heroic dead who have freely given
their lives to Its Afcnsc must ever re-
main cnshrined in our hears: while the
| preservation OF the capital, which is
usually regarded as tho evidence to
| mankind OF separate IN tional existence,
was an object very dear To MS. IL 80
also true. and should not be forgot
| ten. that the loss which We have suf-
! fercd is not without compensa ton. For
many months the largest and finest
army of the Conf sderacy, under the
| command Of a leader whose presence
! inspires equal confidence in ths troops
| and the people has been greatly tram
| meied by the necessity OF Keeping con-
| slant watch over the approaches TO
| tho capital. and has thus been forced
| to forego more than ono opportunity
| for promising enterprise The hopes and
stantly excited by the belief that their
! possession Of Richmond would DO the
| signal for our submission TO their rule.
and relieve than from the burden of
war, as their failing resources admon-
F, isli them IL must lie abandoned II not
| speedily brought to Il successful close.
| 1t Is for us, my countrymen. to show
! by our hearing under revers,s how
wretched has been the self-deception
Of those who have believed us less abb,
! 10 endure. misfortune with fcrtitudA
| than TO encounter danger with cour-
age. We have now entered upon a new
| phase of struggle, the IN emory of
which is to endure for all ages and to
shed an increasing luster upon our
country.
Relieved from the necessity of
guarding cities and particular points,
/ importailt but not vital TO our defense.
with All army free to move from point
! to point and strike in detail the de.
tachments and garrlsons OF the enemy
| operating on the interior OF our own
country, whore supplies are more nc-
cessible, and where the foe will be far
| removed from his own base and cut off
from all succor In case OF reverse,
nothing is now needed 10 render our
triumph certain but the exhibition of
! our own unquenchable resolve. Let us
but will II, and we are free; ava who.
, In tho light OF the past dare doubt
your purpose In thu future?
Animated by the confidence In your
spirit and fortitude which never yet
have failed mo, | announce to you,
| tellow-countrymel. that 1t Is my pur-
pose to maintain your oauss with my
whole heart and soul; that II will new
q "A IN hA