The Brunswick news. [volume] (Brunswick, Ga.) 1906-2016, 1921-09-30
MONUMENT TO JEFFERSON
DAVIS.

1t is interesting and gratifying
read comments from northern new
papers on the erection of a monumer
to Jefferson Davis at his birthplac
in Kentucky. The gratifying part {
it lies in the fact that it slows ths
some of those wao have devote
much of their time, talents and spac
to. criticising and condemning thi
great and patriotic America, ar
bringing Themselves to view in a di
ferent light, not that it makes an
particular difference to the people O
the south, not that 1T would chang
their estimate of the president of tn
Confederacy. but it shows that thes
former abuse-dispensers have seel
the error of their way, and are man
ly enough to how disposition to d.
the proper thing. The New Yorl
Tribune is one of the papers to which
we have particulars reference. Tn
Tribune discusses the matters as fol
lows:
The erection OF stately obe-
lisk in memory Jefferson Davis
to mark his birthplace attracts lit
tie attention. Yet not lon.s ago
protests would have been volumi-
nous and forceful. Great has
been the change. MultituIes VINO
once have frowned upon the shaft
now regard 1t with O degree of
appreciation as ydenoting not so
much glorification Of an attempt
secession as confirmation OF a
/, perpetual and indissolubla union.
Jefferson Davis for many years
an eminent and respectful pub
lie servant Of the United States,
gallant in war, wise inrcouncil,
capable in administration and
pure in character and for four
years was the head fof govern
ment of great people-a govern
ment which, no matter how much
or how justly we may condemn
1t as unlawful did exist de facto,
exercised all the functions of gov
eminent and commanded our own
recognition as beligerent pow
or. Such a career bulks large in
American history and is not un-
worthy of commemorative.
Years ago, largely By the vote
of New England and the old free
states, the name Of Robert u.
Lee was inscribed by the side of
that of ULYSSES S. Grant In the
hall Of fame OF great Americans.
When that was done the last bar
rier of partition between what
were once the discordant sections
of our comman country was brok-
en- down. Now after two-tbirds
OF century, 1t is profitable to re-
call that the two great civilion
protagonists Of our domestic. con-
flicrboth sprang from the dark
and bloody ground OF Kentucky,
only a few miles apart In space
and less than a year apart In
time. To the one the whole ma
tion has paid such memorial tri-
butes as not more than one other
In all It's history has known. To
the other the nation will not be-
grudge such monumental honors
as his native state may bestow.
When Horace Greeley signed the
bail bond OF Jefferson Davis great
was the burst of wrath against
him. lie happened to be In a
spirit something more than half
century ahead of his time.
lut. pdlilutiHIn VI JtntASoii Laws
and his devotion TO the great prin
,iples of our government were never
Questioned by broad-minded Ameri
cans. even. thought they may have
questioned the wisdom of his judg
ment. That he did what he believed
he was justified in doing, what hs
believed he had the right to do, ever
his opponents of broad vision and un
mind admitted even then
and the years that have passed have
shown that many of those who so bit
lerly censured him then, now take 9
view OF the man, the lofti
ness OF his ideals and the purity Of
his character. And more than once
has the supreme court of the United
States, the greatest judicial body IL
the land. handed down decisions up
holding the principle of states Rights
the great principle for which Jeffer
sen Davis stood and for which he sac
rihced more, perhaps. than any otheI
American. Enquirer-Sun.