Page:Southern Historical Society Papers volume 40.djvu/247

Rh the Senate, depicting that memorable and impressive scene, and quoting from the latter's farewell speech. He then continued:

With these words Judah P. Benjamin passed out of the chamber of the American Senate to cast his fortunes with the Southland, to have his heart beat high with hers in the earlier days of her victories, to suffer and sorrow with her when the never-to-be-forgotten days of her distress and desolation drew on, and finally falling with her into the ruin of her catastrophe, to end his days in a foreign land, heaped with new honors, it is true, but loyal unto her with his very last breath.

It is the portrait of this distinguished gentleman, advocate, scholar and statesman that I have the honor to present to you, sir, for Lee Camp of Confederate Veterans. It is with peculiar pride and pleasure that I do so. I stand here in the name of the Jewish community of this city, some of whose members have given the means whereby this presentation is made possible. We do this for the reason that we feel we are honoring ourselves in thus honoring a coreligionist. Judah P. Benjamin was born of Jewish parents and reared as a Jewish child. I have not been able to discover if he was an observing Jew or not. But this I know, had he been a traitor we would have had to bear the ignominy of his wrong doing — but as he was a hero, a statesman, a gentleman and a patriot, we claim the privilege of sharing in the reflection of his glory.

The speaker then paid a glowing tribute to the Jewish Confederate soldier, saying that he stood for two things, his love for the Southland and the vindication of his people. Consciously or not Judah P. Benjamin stood for these two things too, and most nobly helped to achieve them. The cause for which he consciously fought was destined by the God of battles not to be won. But the inspiration of his own life, its energy and courage, its remarkable triumphs, even in defeat, its high souled honor and its noble fortitude will remain an inspiration as long as men will have minds to remember and hearts to understand.