Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1915-06-03
GENERAL GREEN
PAYS TRIBUTE To
JEFFERSON DAVIS
lays President of Confederate
States, Misjudged in Life
time, Is Finding True
Place in History.


character and motives of the president of
the confederate states of America was
delivered at the Confederate Veterans
reunion here to-day by General Il. w.
Green of Little Rock, Ark, in an address
on jefferson Davis" General Green de-
olared that "misjudged in life and dis
franchiscd until his death, Jefferson Davis
is finding his true place in history. lie
suffered as no other confederate. He met
every crisis dauntlessy and measured up
to every Just expectation and demand of
his people"
The speaker related incidents in Mr.,
Davis's life soldier, planter, states
man. United States senator. president of
the confederacy and as "A prisoner after
the war between the States. with such
Il varied and wide experience said Cen
eral Green, his character at all times
exemplitied gentleness and unselfishness
He was unassuming and rigidly truthful,
combining life of patriotism, nobility
and sincerity with an honest desire to
serve his fellowman. which challenges
the worlds admiration.
Having served in public life more than
thirty consecutive years until 1861 found
him with the highest honors his State
could bestow Ia L. s. senator) there
was nothing more he could wish, and
yet at the call of duty, the voice of his
State, he laid aside his honors voluntarily
in order to serve his peoples interest
He was not at any time a secessonist
He urged on all occasions forbearance
and patience when political wrongs were
heaped upon the South. but when his
State passed the ordinance of secession
he rendered his resignation as senator
choosing rather to take his lot with his
own pepole as a private citizen. Mr..
| Davis never gave up the hope of a
satisfa ctorY compromise until the first
gun had been fired. lie contended that
guarantee of equal rights under the
constitution would restore the Union
Immediately"
The speaker mentioned that after Mr..
Davis returned to Mississippi from Wash
ington. the governor assigned him to COM
mand all the military forces of the State,
and on February {? 1861, he was unani-
mously elected president of the provi-
sional government Of the Confederate
States of America.
Mr. Davis regarded the Confederate
constitution model of wisdom and
liberal craftsmanship" said General
Green, and as his election was unani-
nous he accepted, though he greatly pre-
ferred active military service. He was
in no sense a candidate for the presi-
dency and was greatly disappointed that
he had been elected. The provisional gov.
eminent having expired February %. 1852
the Confederate congress reelected Mr..
Davis to the presidency.
General Green referred to Daviss con-
duct of affairs of the confederacy. of his
South, of the removal of Mr.. Davis and
his cabinet from Richmond to points far
ther South, as the Union forces closed
hbout them, and of the receipt by Davis
pf news of the surrender of the confeder-
ate generals.
AT Washington. Georgia, Mr.. Davis re-
teived the first official Information of the
surrender of Gen. Joseph L. Johnston"
continued the speaker, He at once Or
lered the secretary of war to pay off
he soldiers and dismissed all of his mill
airy escort, asking his cabinet and told
ach member to look out for his own
afety. Mr.. Davis intended to go West
nd cross the Chattahoochee and attempt
O fall in with troops in Alabama and so
ross the Mississippi and join Gen. +. *.
smith and continue the war on that side
hat the seeded States should return to
he United States with all rights Of the
btates unimpaired.
Three days after leaving Washington
ir. Davis found his family encamped
With a small wagon train and Travelled
evera DAYS with them. He still intended
cross the Mississippi. He had his
orse saddled one night and he laid down
rest shortly before dawn. Soon after
ard his negro coachman reported to him
hat he heard firing nearby Mr.. Davis
BIT his tent, and saw some Union caval-
Emen. His wife urged him to escape.
is horse was hitched nearby. AS it was
ill dark he picked up in the tent what
e thought was his raincoat. and later
bund it was his wife's. Mrs, Davis threw
shawl over his shoulders to protect him
rom the cool morning air He had adj
anced from the tent but a few steps
hen he was ordered to halt. Mr. Davis
rev off the raincoat and shawl and adj
anced upon the trooper, but his wife
ished up and threw her arms about him
nd there was nothing to do but surren'
kr Many false statements have been
ade by his enemies to the dress he
ore when arrested but Mr.. DaVis's SOL
all such stories and those Of his house.
ld who were present bore him out in
S statement that he wore a gentleman's
orning wrapper"
General Green related stories of Mr..
avis left in Fortress Monroe as n
Fisoner OF the United States and quoted
atements Of a fort physician concern
the prisoners patience and gentle
Ass during his confinement General
reen told of Davis release from Fort
onroe Of his going to Canada and I'm
psing said:
President Johnson's anxiety to convict
ferson Davis of treason was such
at he employed the greatest criminal
wyers of the age to assist the attorney
neral in his investigation of the case
hnson also sent for the chief Justice
the United States Supreme Court and
ked him to look into the matter or
part Of the United States. II ever
ere was a partisan 1t was Salmon p
ase, but at that time he was a great
vyer and an honest, fearless man.
Lincoln said Chase, wanted Jeffor.
Davis to escape and he was right
5 capture was a mistake, his tria
be a greater one We cannot convict
b OF treason. Secession Is settled; lei
stay settled
These words explained the vote of thu
at judge who would have auashed the
ctment against Mr.. Davis no Less
IN they explained the question SC
en- asked. Why was Jefferson Davi.