Happy Birthday Jefferson Davis
by Calvin E Johnson, Jr
June 3, 2002
Hello America:
Do you know what is considered by some people to be the largest monument to an American? Bring the family together to hear this story and see if your kids know the answer to this question. I will give you the answer at the end of this commentary.
Look at your calendar and see what dates in history it shows for June 3rd. It more than likely excludes that of a great American, the birthday of Jefferson Davis of Mississippi. The birthday of Abraham Lincoln is shown for February, but no mention for Davis in June. This is more than a shame, we need to let these folks know this should be corrected.
The irony of history is that two men born in the
great sovereign State of
Kentucky, Jefferson Davis, President of the Confederacy,
and Abraham Lincoln, President of the Union, would be fighting on opposite sides
during the War between the States. One of the things these two men had in common
was that both liked the famous American tune "Dixie".
Jefferson Davis was born on June 3, 1808 in the Kentucky Derby State of Kentucky. The time is long overdue for school teachers throughout this nation to teach not only the historical facts about Lincoln, but also those about Davis. So let me give you a few facts that you may not find in the history books about Jefferson Davis.
Jefferson Davis, who would become the first and only President of the Confederate States of America, was a strong Unionist and also a strong defender of the United States Constitution. Our Founding Fathers believed in the sovereignty of the states and so did Jefferson Davis.
Here are a few of his many accomplishments:
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Graduate of West Point Military Academy
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Fought valiantly in the War with Mexico
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United States Senator
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Secretary of War under President Pierce
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First to suggest the transcontinental railroad to link the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, first to suggest the Panama Canal Zone, suggested the purchase of Cuba, appointed Robert E Lee Superintendent of West Point.
May I suggest that to better understand this man Davis, you and your family might visit "Beauvoir" on the Mississippi Gulf Coast in Biloxi. This was the last home to Jefferson Davis and where he wrote his famous book The Rise and Fall of the Confederate Government. It will take a day to view the video and see the library, house and gardens, but it will be worth it. You can view more information about Beauvoir at its website.
Jefferson Davis' last marriage was a wonderful one to Varine, who gave her husband two sons and two daughters - Jefferson, Margaret, Winnie and Billy. One child was killed by an accidental fall at the Confederate White House in Richmond, Virginia. In 1864, an abused black child named Jim Limber was adopted by the Davis'. In 1865, Jim was forcibly removed by Union soldiers and never seen again. It is said that the Davis children were crying at the scene and poor Jim was kicking and not making it easy for his abductors. After the War between the States, Jefferson Davis tried to locate the whereabouts of Jim Limber, but was unsuccessful. The Davis family prayed that he was well and did well in his life.
There are few people who have touched so many as did Jefferson Davis. His funeral services were attended by thousands of mourners. Milo Cooper, a former servant, traveled all the way from Florida to pay his last respects. It is written that, upon entering Davis' sick room, Cooper burst into tears and threw himself on his knees in prayer that God would spare the life of his old master and bless the Davis family. Davis was first buried in New Orleans but later was removed to the Hollywood Cemetery in Richmond, Virginia. The United Daughters of the Confederacy were responsible for building a beautiful white marble monument to his memory.
The answer to the question "What is the largest monument to an American?" is: the Jefferson Davis Highway, which begins in Washington, D.C., and covers 3,417 miles as it passes through 173 counties and 13 states. The success of the Davis National Highway is also attributable to the United Daughters of the Confederacy.
God Bless America!
by Calvin E Johnson, Jr. & America's Voices, Inc. All right reserved.
Calvin E Johnson, Jr., recently began writing political commentary on the Internet; his columns have appeared on several popular Internet sites, including The Macon Telegraph and Newsmax.com. You can e-mail him at [cjohnson@americasvoices.org].