Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1924-06-10
TOWERING QBE:L|SK
IN HONOR Of DAVIS
GIVEN TO KENTUCKY

vi R-bs ~ AAAkE OgEI
.FAIRVIEW, Ky. June 7-(By the
Associated Press)-A gigantic con-
crete shaft towering 351 feet into
the air was dedicated to the mem
DRY of jefferson Davis, president of
the Confederacy three score years
ago, and presented to the state OF
Kentucky here this afternoon.
The obelisk with a Confederate
flag flying high above the copper
cap which crowns it, was closed to
public inspection today because the
interior has not been finished. Thou
sands of visitors, however, tfamped
about the twenty acres surrounding
the Davis homestead, inspecting the
exterior of the huge monument from
every possible angle.
The stars and stripes and the stars
and bars decked the sides of the
Obelisk, waving softly in a gentle
breeze while an occasional low hang
ing fleecy cloud seemed to touch the
pinnacle.
Many persons prominently con-
nected with forces of the North ana
South during the Civil war travelled
overland from Hopkinsville to the
homestead near here for the occasion.
Places Him Over .EincOln
To-day witnesses the elimination
of all loving tributes in the dedica
ton of a memorial which represents
the mature thought of steadfasr
and loyal people," said DR.. Dunbar
Rowland representing Mississippi,
in his address on Jefferson Davis,
Constituencies" Mr., Davis, he
added was the equal to Abraham
Lincoln in the goodness of his heart
and superior in culture and training
for craftsmanship
The Confederacy's president, Dr.
Rowland said, "acted his part we'll,
| established government complete
principles of his government with
courage and DEVOTION
| Colonel Robert j. McBryde, ot
Louisville, representing the Jeffer
son Davis Home association. present
ed the monument to the state. THE
failure of the Confederacy has more
or less obscured. the splendid quail.
ties that belonged to this great man
who, to the thoush.IcEs world, was
only q rex" governor w. j. Fields
SSs,S m accepting the gift in behalf
of the state.
War His Only Solution
Had the Confederacy been estab-
lished, his name would have been
second only to that of Washington"
the Kentucky executive continued.
Mr.. Davis, in common with the Con-
federate leaders, desired a peaceful
separation from the federal govern
ment. They did not DESIRE war, but
the problems and difficulties con-
fronting them admitted no other so,
luton. Undoubtedly Jefferson Davis
committed grave errors in his admin
istratiOn, but they were solely errors
OF judgment. Alike with his honor,
his patriotism is unimpeached and
unimpeachable. The Confederacy
failed with him, but it could not have
succeeded with any other"
kentuckians united with the ma
ton in erecting the memorial for
Lincoln, Governor Fields pointed out.
and likewise united with the South
land in erection of the Davis memo
rial, Abraham Lincoln and Jeffer-
son Davis, the executive referred to
as native Kentuckians, 1.-The one the
president of the federal government
and the other the president of the
Confederate government during the
War Between the States"
Major Jefferson Hayes Davis, U.
S. A, grandson of the southern pres
ident, was given a long ovation when
he was presented to the visitors by
General w. B. Haldeman. Louisville
communicative chief of the United
Confederate Veterans.
General Haldenan Speaks
kentuck& my own. my native
land, God grant that your sons NAV
ever rise to illustrate the fame of
their fathers" was the prayer
voiced by jefferson Davis, on his
last visit to the state which gave
him birth. How completely the
sons and daughters of Kentucky
and of all the south answered for
him that prayer was testified bv Sr
attendance of a crowd estimated at
10000 for today's exercises and by
the eloquent tributes paid to him.
General Haldeman. as master of
ceremonies, opened the program by
presenting Miss Jessica Smith of
! North Carolina, daughter of Ran
dolph Smith, designer of the first
Confederate flag. General Halde-
man, in his Introductory remarks
paid tribute to the women of the
south.
See what has been accomplished
by the women of the SOUTH" he
commented, pointing toward the
Davis shaft.
1--WE have only started honoring
the president Of the Confederacy."
declared Mrs. J. p. Higgins, 81.
Louis, treasurer general of the
United Daughters of the Confeder-
acy. She said that with the monu-
ment completed steps would be
taken to make all highways leading
to the Davis shrine.
Jefferson Davis has been vindi-
Gated" asserted Mrs. Roy w. Nc
Kinney, of Paducah, past president
general of the United Daughters of
he Confederacy