The daily telegram. [volume] (Clarksburg, W. Va.) 1901-1926, 1916-03-13

great state. But. as such a we'll
known historian and qualified as ex-
pert as Judge George W. Atkinson
done 1t. 1t will make others less tfmid
to try. with due respect to all other
citizens of West Virginia who have
attained prominence In the past, !
regard Mr.. Davis as the leader of
them ALL" and then we get the rea-
son why: by odds he led the van
as the chief developer of West Virgin
las resources and its interests as a
state. He built railroads, operated
coal mines. constructed saw mills, etc.
and gave to all these interests his
personal supervision and oversight"
The inference drawn from the brief
tribute and analysis written by for
mer governor of the state OF West
Virginia. is that history will class
Henry Gassaway Davis as more of an
empire builder than statesman.
And this is. in our humble belief. the
correct and Just assignment. In
West Virginia Valhalla, Mr., Dayis's
name will be enrolled at the top as
the states greatest builder. and next
below 1t Johnson N. Camden-the
two pioneer builders of an incom-
parable industrial commonwealth
end what glittering, binding array
Of names that follow to make the ma
tive heart thrill with pride and high
resolve!
4 Mr.. Davis had the big vision in
business. and 1t came to him in poll
I tics. too. But 1t was made into real
ity with more success and with more
fame in the former than in the lat
4 Ter realm. He. many years ago. fore
saw the closer interdependence of the
two continents of the new world. He
preaced Pan-Americanism as a John
the Baptist in wilderness of doubt
misunderstanding and passive inter.
est, He represented this country al
the first two congresses. and by his
influence and addresses. laid the very
cornerstone OF the foundation for the
era OF closer relationship this country
"a now entering upon with our neigh
bors to the South. 1t was the big
vision. He had 1t again rs to the
4 Panama canal. when, seemingly. II
was hardly much nearer reality. sc
far as humans knew. than when Bal.
boa was dreaming of cutting the hem
isnhere in twain. Again we see II
in his early persistent and continued
\ advocacy OF a railroad from North tt
South America, cross the lsthmus
How long he will have passed from
among up ere this vision becomes
verify, no one knows. Not long, a.
wears go. we dare say. He felt thai
/ way about 1t too. These were import
ant things in the political career Of
this great West Virginian. but 1t Ii
the things that he did in West Vir
/ ginla as builder and developer fo1
which he will be no longer remem
bered by the present and coming gen
cratIons.
Another phase of the mans life
not heard Of as much. as the man,
other phases, but Just as importan
aa showing the man himeslf, Is wha'
he did In the way OF charity. Nov
that It ls mentioned, we quickly re
call that he built, gave. helped Il
maintain. and personally helped t.
manage colleges, churches. hospitals
Young Mems Christian Association in
stitutIons and the like. Wo know
that his public charities were man!
md munihcent. and from those clos,
to him we learn that his private bene
factions we're commensurate Will
those in the other class. Moreover.
writes Judge Atkinson in the state
ment he wrote 1T my request ant