Page:Southern Historical Society Papers volume 38.djvu/76

 We are told by the Rochester Democrat and Chronicle that "It is probable few people now living in the North ever heard of the matter, or ever would have heard it had it not been for the activity of the Confederate Ladies' Memorial Association," and that is precisely where we would have the Association leave the matter. We want the people of the North, all the people of the North, to hear about it and if the 'activity' of the Association does nothing more than this, their purpose will have been accomplished. We are told that 'if the name had never been removed from the aqueduct it would be impossible to create any sentiment in the North to-day against its remaining there.' That is the very reason why we would not have it restored. Let is stand as it is. It is worth more to the country as it stands."

Our Rochester contemporary, which is disposed to play the Caleb Smith act, even at this late day, remarks: "Mr. Davis is dead, and the cause for which he stood is dead." It is true that Mr. Davis no longer exists in the flesh—-the wonder is that he did not die when he was a prisoner of war at Fortress Monroe, under the care of Nelson A. Miles—but his spirit survives, and there is a better understanding of him now and a juster appreciation of his conduct than at any previous time for half a century. His appeal to the verdict of history for himself and his cause was not in vain. Time sets all things straight, and the mutilated stone in "Cabin John Bridge" is a mute but trustworthy witness for him and his people and their desire to be relieved from political associations which had become on many accounts undesirable. Mr. Davis is dead; but the cause for which he stood—the rights of the States, the sovereignty of the people, the supremacy of the Constitution—will never die.

This is not a question of rekindling "old animosities," as our contemporary suggests. The people of the South did not mutilate the keystone at "Cabin John Bridge"; they have not questioned the honesty of Abraham Lincoln and his purposes; they have not cut his name out of the books taught in the Southern schools; they have not sought to cover up the fact that he was born in the South; they have heard with applause eulogies pronounced upon him by both Southern and Northern orators; they would not object to statues erected in his honor on Southern