26 Southern Historical Society Papers.
on all that was mortal of Jefferson Davis. Has not the time arrived for justice to his memory?
I knew and loved the man. In this brief and imperfect epitome I have sought to strike the true keynote of his life and character, and to lay the foundation for a just and impartial judgment on them both.
With heart overflowing with patriotic devotion to our common country keenly responsive to the spirit of love and fraternity which has grown up between all sections of our people devoutly thankful to that divine Providence which has so guided the hearts of men and shaped the current of events, that, out of the wreck and ruin of desperate conflict, we have saved the essential principles of constitu- tional liberty and of the equal rights of citizenship, and have re- established foundations on which, if faithfully guarded and preserved, the glorious destinies of the American republic may be triumphantly accomplished, I stand here to-day to claim that justice from the whole people of our country, North as well as South justice, only justice justice to the memory of a man who illustrated the history of two nations by valor in battle, wisdom in counsel, eloquence in debate, temperance in triumph and inexpugnable fortitude in adver- sity justice to the memory of a man who, when the mists of passion and prejudice shall have passed away, history must undoubtedly rank as one of the greatest of Americans.
I cannot close this appeal more appropriately or enforce it more strongly than by quoting the conluding paragraph of his great work on the " Rise and Fall of the Confederate Government," which was his historical and political testament to his people:
" In asserting the right of secession, it has not been my wish to incite to its exercise; I recognize the fact that the war showed it to be impracticable, but this did not prove it to be wrong, and now that it may not be again attempted, and that the union may promote the general welfare, it is needful that the truth, the whole truth, should be known, so that crimination and recrimination may forever cease, and then, on the basis of fraternity and faithful regard for the rights of the States, there may be written on the arch of the union Esto Perpetual
The applause was deafening as Judge Fenner concluded. The choir sang " Lead, Kindly Light," and Rev. Gordon Bakewell closed with benediction. Mrs. Behan thanked the ladies and gentlemen of the choir, and Mrs. T. C. feuckley, who led them, for the beautiful music. The cHoir was composed of Mrs. T. C. Buckley, leader;
