Jefferson Davis still a source of divided feelings

[Emmanuel Dabney]

In this, the 200th year since his birth, Jefferson Davis still has his supporters and detractors, which to me signals his continued importance in the memory of the Civil War.

http://fredericksburg.com/News/FLS/2008/032008/03012008/358889

[Micah Trent]

Re: Jefferson Davis still a source of divided feelings

I find the article interesting, because here in Kentucky it has always been and still is an issue, especially from people who live down around Christian and Todd Counties were Davis was from in southwestern Kentucky. I know a handful of local SCV Camps and supporters in and around Kentucky that have pushed and promoted ways to establish Davis as a hero and one who should be honored nationally. Though they have not established that nationally, he is still labeled a hero in parts of Kentucky and other places and is given his share of remembrance and celebrations.

[Clsinclair]

Re: Jefferson Davis still a source of divided feelings

I guess one would have to go back to 1865 to get the true opinions of the time. Modern opinions does no justice to the man or to the time. Opinions during the late 1860's would differ between the Mason-Dixon line. Pro South and Negative North.

[GASharpshooter]

Re: Jefferson Davis still a source of divided feelings

If only leaders in the South had seen the error of their ways (slavery) prior to 1860, many lost lives and much misery would have been avoided.

So simple, isn't it??

"Executive Mansion
Washington, August 22, 1862

Hon. Horace Greeley:

Dear Sir.

I have just read yours of the 19th. addressed to myself through the New-York Tribune. If there be in it any statements, or assumptions of fact, which I may know to be erroneous, I do not, now and here, controvert them. If there be in it any inferences which I may believe to be falsely drawn, I do not now and here, argue against them. If there be perceptible in it an impatient and dictatorial tone, I waive it in deference to an old friend, whose heart I have always supposed to be right.

As to the policy I "seem to be pursuing" as you say, I have not meant to leave any one in doubt. I would save the Union. I would save it the shortest way under the Constitution. The sooner the national authority can be restored; the nearer the Union will be "the Union as it was." If there be those who would not save the Union, unless they could at the same time save slavery, I do not agree with them. If there be those who would not save the Union unless they could at the same time destroy slavery, I do not agree with them. My paramount object in this struggle is to save the Union, and is not either to save or to destroy slavery. If I could save the Union without freeing any slave I would do it, and if I could save it by freeing all the slaves I would do it; and if I could save it by freeing some and leaving others alone I would also do that. What I do about slavery, and the colored race, I do because I believe it helps to save the Union; and what I forbear, I forbear because I do not believe it would help to save the Union. I shall do less whenever I shall believe what I am doing hurts the cause, and I shall do more whenever I shall believe doing more will help the cause. I shall try to correct errors when shown to be errors; and I shall adopt new views so fast as they shall appear to be true views.

I have here stated my purpose according to my view of official duty; and I intend no modification of my oft-expressed personal wish that all men everywhere could be free.

Yours,
A. Lincoln"

[Jubilo]

Re: Jefferson Davis still a source of divided feelings

Dear Sir ,
Sam Houston described Jefferson Davis : "As cold as a rattlesnake and as ambitious as Lucifer ." An apt description of some of today's presidential candidates !
all for the old flag,
David Corbett

[Parault]

Re: Jefferson Davis still a source of divided feelings

deleted.

I can see where that might end up going.

[Emmanuel Dabney]

Re: Jefferson Davis still a source of divided feelings

Please keep 20th and 21st century political feelings out of our discussion here. I know it is tempting to want to know if we could drop people of the past into the present but that cannot be and in the end people only get their dander up.

Thanks. (sitting moderator hat aside)