bOVEKNOR EUWAKD T. BUEATHITT REDEDICATION OF JOHN BREATHITT MARKER SEPTEMBER 16, 1967 RUSSELLVILLE, KENTUCKY
For Release at 10 a.m.
I accepted with pleasure your Invitation to be here today for this part of Western Kentucky's observance of the Commonwealth's
175th anniversary. After all, I have a bit of kinship tie with the Kentucky ° statesman whose marker we rededlcate today. And by my Hopklnsvllle background, I have a geographic tie with this part of the state. Logan County Is celebrating its 175th anniversary, too. You Logan Countlans live In an area that became a county on
September 1, 17tf2, just three months after the new Commonwealth of *
Kentucky became a state.
Most of you know that Logan County is the mother of some 20 counties. In fact, In the period of Kentucky statehood, Logan County then Included all of what Is now regarded as l^estern Kentucky except for the Jackson Purchase. And this county, as you also know, was named for General Benjamin Logan, who founded Logan's Station In 1775. He also was a member of the convention which wrote the first constitution for Kentucky and also a member of the Constitutional
Convention of 1779.
This Is another reason for the ceremonies here and at Fairview today -- honoring some of the most illustrious names In
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Kentucky's history -- and also serving as Western Kentucky's participa
tion in the 175th Anniversary Year.
The county seat of Logan County, when established, was
known as Logan Court House. Logan County then Included all of the
land bounded on the nortn by the Ohio River, on the south by the
Tennessee River and west to ttte same river and east to Stanford in
Central Kentucky. Quite a sizable chunk of Kentucky, wasn't it?
The 20 counties that came wholly, or in part, but mostly
wholly from the original Logan County Include Christian and Warren,
both in 1796; Livingston, Muhlenberg, Barren, and Henderson, all In
1798; Hopkins, in 1806; Caldwell, in 1809; Butler, in 1810; Union,
In 1811; Allen, in ISlo; Simpson and Todd, both in 1819; Monroe
and Trigg, both in 1820; Edmonson, in 182b; Crittenden, in 1842;
Lyon and McLean, both in 1854; and Webster, in 1860.
Logan County not only has been the mother of 20 counties,
Russellvllle Itself, named in honor of General William Russell, a
Revolutionary War officer, has been the home of four Kentucky
Governors, In addition to John Breathitt, whose marker we rededicate
here today, they were James T. Morehead, Charles T. Morehead, and
John J. Crittenden.
Some of you probably did not know before today that
Russellvllle also has been the home of two Governors of Illinois ' / Nln^ian Edwards and John i^cLean, and of two Governors of Texas --
Fletcher Stockdale and Richard Call.
John Breathitt, the 10th Governor of our great Commonwealth,
achieved an important niche in Kentucky annals, although he died at
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the early age of 47 and in just the second year of his term as Kentucky's Chief Executive. Even five years after his death, Breathitt County, in Eastern Kentucky, was named for him. And the county seat of Breathitt County, now known as Jackson, first was named Breathitt, too, in honor of John Breathitt. It is significant, I think, that Jackson was so named later In honor of Andrew Jackson, the hero of New Orleans who became President of the United States. I say significant because
Governor John Breathitt in 1828 and in 1832 was a strong supporter
of Andrew Jackson, Those of you active in the state and historical societies -- indeed, all of you interested in Kentucky history and heritage -- will be interested in knowing that John Breathitt was a pioneer in preserving the historical and political documents of this state. In fact, he was instrumental in steps that led to organization of the
Kentucky Historical Society.
To the Kentucky Legislature on January 1, 1834, just a
month and a half before his death. Governor John Breathitt suggested that a committee be formed to study the need of preserving Kentucky's
valuable documents. To that 1834 State Legislature, Governor John Breathitt said: "In looking into the archives of this state, I regret that many important documents regarding the political history of Kentucky
are not to be found. We owe it to ourselves and to posterity* to
rescue from the oblivious hand of time. Important papers in which - i" r * -6-
serves you as a sort of Community Center. The Russellvllle Woman's Club has owned this building for some 40 years, but as you well know, this building also serves as a meeting place for your civic clubs and other local organizations. Today, 133 years after John Breathltt's death, we rededlcate this marker in tribute to his kind of spirit that never dies. We also rededlcate this marker in memory of his sincerity of purpose, his aggressive but dedicated tone of action, and his achievements that will live throughout all time.
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GOVLRUOR EDWARD T. 13KtATHlTT REDEUICATION OF JEFFt^SON UAVIS iMONUMEiJT STATE SHRINE StPTtl'lBER 16, 1967 . ' FAIRVIEW, KENTUCKY ii' >
For Release at 2:30 p.m.
In rededlcdtiiig this memorial and unveiling the new iTiarker, to Jefferson Davis, we not only are honoring one of the greatest Americans. We also are honoring one of the very greatest
Southerners and certainly one of Kentucky's most-distinguished sons.
It is so appropriate that we do this as part of Western
Kentucky's observance of the Commonwealth's 175th anniversary.
And I am pleased to remind you of several improvements the Kentucky
Department of Parks has completed at this State shrine this year --
«- a beautification program in general that includes interior redecora- tion, plus new cases and new displays.
And you probably have noticed the renovation of the superintendent's residence -- particularly the outside, which is a replica of Jefferson Davis' birthplace.
Through the century since the Civil War, many millions of words have been written and spoken about the fact that the
President of the Southern States and the President of the Northern
States both were Kentuckians -- and that they were born within less than a hundred miles of each other. And each married a
Kentucky woman, ,w •
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So I do not presume here today to enlarge upon the
Kentucky heritage of Jefferson Davis and Abraiiam Lincoln. I do,
however, want to pinpoint Indelibly that both men, by their every
effort and by the thread that ran so true throughout both of
their lives, remained true to their convictions and truly let
their consciences be their guides. Both represented the divided
viewpoints of Kentucklans in the great Civil War which saw
Kentucklans fighting for both the iJorth and the South,
Today, we are rededicating this memorial with Its
iffiprovements to the memory of Jefferson Davis, not only as part of Kentucky's Trlquarticentennial, but also on the 50th anniversary
of the start of construction here. So I want to delineate the man's consistency In character and his exemplary life In general,
I want. If you please, to help you relive with me the noble life
that Jefferson Davis lived through the pages of history -- and yes,
his achievements, too.
Perhaps because of his gallant leadership in a cause that was somewhat doomed from the very start -- a country without
an army or navy, no source of revenue, no currency, no railroads
or industry to speak of -- Mr. Davis Is remembered by many only
as the President of the Confederacy. But Mr. Davis earned a niche
In history by many other achievements even before the war.
He was educated at Transylvania here In Kentucky at Lexington. His ambitions were to^llltary and not to the political.
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After graduation from West Point, he was cited for distinguished
service in the Indian and liexlcan wars.
rie was elected as a U. S. Senator from Mississippi.
Then he served as Secretary of War in President Franklin Pierce's
Cabinet.
l^iany "firsts" are credited to the statesman and military
genius we nonor liere today.
As a Senator, he was the first to suggest transcontinental
railroads connecting the Atlantic with the Pacific; the first to
suggest buying the Panama Canal Zone; and the first to suggest
buying Cuba.
In international relations. Senator Davis promoted closer
relations with South America and planned American trade with China
and Japan.
Senator Davis also was largely responsible for the new
Senate Hall, the new House of Representatives building, and for
the extension of many other public buildings in Washington --
especially the Treasury Building. As Secretary of War, the great man born*here organized
cavalry service adapted to United States needs and Introduced light
Infantry tactics. An interesting sidelight is that it was
Jefferson Oavis who appointed Robert L. Lee as superintendent of
West Point.
War Secretary Davis also strengthened forts on the -r- Western frontier, frequently drawing on arsenals in the South
to do so.
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iio where did nis genius display Itself more significantly tnan as Secretary of War, by his typically-efficient and thorough way of doing things. Ironically, he strengtiiened the Union forces which he later was to oppose in following the a1r.is and purposes of what he considered his Inevitable, conscientious decision. Jefferson Davis was a strong Union man and a reluctant secessionist. Witn his great ability and influence, he tried nis best to preserve the Union. Indeed, he struggled as hard to save tne Union and its Federal principles as he later did In his heroic effort to save the South. Jefferson Javis truly was a statesman. And, at this stage, his enormous contribution to aeinocracy was conceded both by the North and by the South. Then came January of 1861, and t>11ss1ss1pp1 seceded. Jefferson Uavis, now back In the Senate -- because of his military background and his West Point training -- believed that if a state seceded, the duty of a soldier reverted to his state. So Senator Davis, Robert E. Lee, the Johnstons, and others acting upon this Instruction which they considered an Irrevocable call to duty, cast their lots with their states. •-.j- .^-v' When it was known that Senator Davis was to make his farewell speech In the Senate, the building was crowded to over flowing. He was one of the most-gifted orators In Congress. Senator Davis said: "I am sure there Is not among you, whatever sharp division there may have been between us, to whom
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I can not say, In the presence of my God, that I wisii you well.
And such, I am sure, is the feeling of the people I represent
toward those you represent. I, therefore, feel tiiat I but express their desire, when I say I hope, and that they hope, for
peaceful relations with you, though we must part.
"They may be mutually benefical to us in the future,
as they have been in the past, if you so will It. The reverse may bring disaster upon every portion of the country, and will
invoke the God of our fathers -- we will vindicate the right as
best we may."
Senator Davis concluded: "Mr. President and Senators,
having made the announcement which the occasion seemed to me to
require, it only remains for me to bid you a final adieu." and so, a great man left the halls of the Senate of his *'
country, in accordance with his high sense of right and conscience.
Jefferson Uavis returned to Mississippi to assume command
of the state's military forces. He had no ambition for national leadership; he preferred to serve as a soldier. Hardly had he
assumed his command, when the message came from Montgomery, Ala.,
calling him to the Presidency of the Confederacy.
His wife said, that as he read the message calling him
to the highest office in the Confederacy, he was shaken as if a great calamity had been announced to him. It truly was a distinc
tion he never had sought. Jefferson Davis was Inaugurated as President on February 18» 1861, amidst acclaim from all parts of the Confederacy. His inaugural ' -6- ^ i/ ^ -. -l': -
address was widely hailed, not only in the South, but throughout
Europe, He had expressed hope for peace.
It Is Interesting to note that In 1904, nearly 40 years after the end of the war, that Landon Knight, Davis* Ohio biographer, wrote; "It Is Impossible to read that inaugural address of President Davis even today, without feeling that in every sentence it breathed a prayer for peace," And, indeed, to this day, it is accepted as a masterpiece of statesmanship, as it will be forevermore. The Confederate President iioped to the very last for peace. He iiopefully supported and encouraged the Peach Convention,
despite the fact that it offered less to the South than had the ill-fated Crittenden Compromise, Even the aged Crittenden hopefully
accepted it, too, as a substitute. Jefferson Davis was the greatest man the South could hav*a picked to lead it. History has placed its nod of approval on this
fact. Obviously, the odds doomed him from the start.
• Morris Schaff, the great liistorian who served In the war with the Union Navy, said of Davis: "How he met this helpless, chaotic state of affairs is a matter of history and a wonder of
the world."
The Confederacy fought on valiantly until the end. The Confederate soldier stands out as one of the greatest fighting men of all time. A puzzled and amazed Union offlceronce asked a ragged,
threadbare, shoeless Confederate prisoner, "Why, on earth, have you continued to fight on?" The Confederate prisoner looked the •V v.-y s; ^'>: ..|W • • . • •* :•• ;-.; *A ' -ViJ
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Union officer in the eye and witneringly replied, "Qecause y'all
are down here."
Throughout his trying experiences in the war, then after
the conflict, Jefferson Davis lived the exemplary life of a true
Christian gentleman. The quiet dignity of his demeanor has been
an example for the ages. It has been said of him, "Mr. Davis was
one of God's noblemen. Usually, gentlemen are bred, but occasionally
God Himself makes a gentleman."
In deatii, the South acclaimed Jefferson Davis in unanimous
consent. In the Horth, even The New York Times paid tribute to his
immortality by these words: "The South loves his memory as it
should love it, and as the people of every patriotic country should
and ever will respect It. Were the people of the South to forget
♦ him or fail to honor the man who endured so much so patiently for
their sake, they in turn should deserve no respect or place in the
minds of men.
"Jefferson Davis will live longer in history and will
fare better than they wno ever have spoken against him," the Times
concluded.
You and I have come here to commemorate the 175th
anniversary of Kentucky's statehood. And you and I have come here
to rededlcate this memorial to one of Kentucky's most illustrious
sons.
So what more fitting climax than to read the words
on the new marker I am about to unveil -- the words of Jefferson
Davis himself about his cherished Kentucky nativity -- when he
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came to his beloved birtnplace here for the last time in November, 1886. These words are from an address he made that day, when he
presented the site of the house in which he was born to the
Bethel Baptist Church. He also presented a communion service,
which is still kept in the church.
Jefferson Uavis said, as tiiat marker there will
perpetuate for posterity, "Kentucky, my own, my native land. God grant that peace and plenty may ever run throughout your borders. God grant that your sons and daughters may ever rise
to illustrate the fame of their dead fathers, and that wherever the name of Kentucky is mentioned, every hand shall be lifted and
every head bowed for all that Is grand, all that is glorious,
all that is virtuous, all that is honorable and
manly."
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fV ''--i!' 1 •/ , , V ^ i ."v l'-* * ' _> « • • J — * . - A . '• .L ' T • ' I LAW OFFICES J. GRANVtLLE Clark CLARK BUILOINO RUSSELLVILLE. KENTUCKY TELEPHONE 726-2085 September 18, 1967 Miss Julia Neal Kentucky Building Bowling Green, Kentucky Deajr Julia: Mother said that you asked that I send you a copy of my remarks dated 16 September, 1967, at the 175th anniversary celebration and I am enclosing a copy herewith. With kindest personal regards, I remain, Respectfully yours, J. Granville Clark ^GC:vb Enclosure •' V•' <3—tA- $outh Central Kentucky as the site of this meeting commemorating the 17Sth Anniversary of the establishment of the Commonwealth of Kentucky. It is indeed most appropriate that the meeting would begin in the community of "Logan Court House." Logan County was, on September 1, 1792, established at the site of Cedar House. which Is near the fiast end intersection here in RussellviXl^ and the borders of Logan County, at that timei extended frcHB what is now Hardin County to all of the area west of that line to the Mississippi River. It Is also most appropriate, by reason of the fact that Colonel Benjamin Logan, for whom Logan County was named, was probably more instrumental in the safety of the settlers of Kentucky from the Indians than any other soldier and also called the first convention in 1784 at Danville that started Kentucky's struggle for statehood. Logan County is the mother of 28 Kentucky counties In West Kentucky. It Is also appropriate, by reason of the fact that on this day we are honoring a great Kentuckian, Jefferson Davis, who was born only 19 miles west of this spot in Todd County and in November 1661, on this very ground that we now stand, 116 delegates from 43 Kentucky counties met in this building to form a Provisional Government of the Confederate state of Kentucky and pledge their loyalty to Jefferson Davis and the Confederate states of America. Also, Russellville has been the home of Kentucky Governors, John Breathltt, Charles S. Morehead, James T. Morehead and John J. Crlttenden. We In this area have recognized that culture and progress should, and can be, complimentary. It has been said that the settlers of Kentucky, for the most part from Virginia and North Carolina, were besieged by more problems in seeking statehood than any other group that gained statehood in the United States -1- <:• ' v.-V- 4'- y^'i^' ' " •'^- •V• H';- ' •'"•'t-^" ' •/• ' '-•-••• ... J '. -" • • •• J '••• '< ' '-f £"•:', • " :-'i' • '• . • •' ; . •"• •: "•"' • a&iioa£ ;i^m &-ij5 -©w"^ '' '• " -••• •. . . •"- • ••- •'•• ,,,•'. '.. • -'•. -,••,• •-..•••' •. i>^' -y' '• • • •' •' '•< • ; '' ;.' . : •V .A •'• , ••'-'• "5*-- "io &e^6m ber^cnl , ii-nwoD "flfftjoJ'; / , , ;-ggftai!);' ^:. aiia 'ij^. V: • •-.'.-'od'. :rAftJ, io i^H:s ^-w.;:-'. ^ ,-Vv ••-./•- ^v.. ,• •' '0#»i -Uv Kg|iai»i vd ,»6j«la'Jo>.aq& ;tSQfii o^Xjs ai -a»v.tR JtqqX&aZaL^xK arf:^. . •^X t- .'5: f ;•> '';k V'^ Vr •/- -. -• .- --. :ioqs EitfJ. •?i:6- ^isow'trsXi^^'Cj .'•^ - , . .. r • .• 1- . •• •• •-.• .• .' ' wort.-iw;.i5;ufo^V ri^^ciniisVpM e± fcxi# t>bci^ Mi '••• !'. "" .. 'V •*-' .A. 1 '.'! ' '•• =. •• •• " "-• '.•••;''.••'•'-• •- ,.. e pnlblj^jjc ni a<&Xiuj/QS> r ' i ^ -. *. f ^ ••♦ ..• C * ^ *. ..' j i • . ^ '. . ^o^XA zo oJ •\:ilB^t ,-V . v.-. • .^. .,• --^V •- . •• ^ . • •- ^ •' ' •^/• -.vrf#. ii&sd earf \^"iXi.yi^^SMSiifitf•^••" •tbXiN>d» '• "rV?"", ' i-^30^^ B(it '"zoi e^', ar»riv.ii -J.• ;;...._-V; Bii^- tti' toQ iiijaisjJ ladio yffs jtisili , . JT" of AMcrlca* 7h« struggle consisted of multiplied dlssappointnents, and it was only through grim determination on the part of such men as Colonel Benjamin Logan, Issaac Shelby, our first governor, and other dedicated settlers that statehood was gained In 1792« This land upon which we now stand at one time was owned by the Indians and General George Washington commanded the English troops that came to Kentucky to deal with the Indians, and it was not until after 1763 and the Paris treaty that the claim of the French to this territory was settled and this area became officially a part of Virginia. After this came a long struggle on the part of the settlers in fighting the Indians and fighting to become independent of Virginia. As most any group of settlers, there were many and varied politi cal beliefs espoused by the different groups. A large segment of the settlers who were discontent with their connection with Virginia used Thomas Palne, who bore the public stamp of infidel, to plead their cause for independence from Virginia. In fact, we are most lucky that we are not a part of Spain today. Sedition is not new to Kentucky. Shortly before Kentucky became a state, General James Wilkinson, a well respected Kentucky leader, and General Miro, then Governor of the Spanish colony of New Orleans which controlled the lower part of the Mississippi River,found great sup port among the Kentucky settlers for Kentucky to become an independent state affiliated with Spain and withdraw from Virginia. General Wilkinson had worked out a trade agreement with the Spanish Government allowing the Kentucky merchants to ply the lower Mississippi and had been able to sell the tobacco raised in Kentucky for $9.50 a hundred lbs. auid the going price sold on the local meirket was $2.50 a hundred lbs. At the 7th convention •2^ ... ri ' p^ -^'pV^ -»pye sejj •& f ^ jr^^rrejrX'f. •' ' ''V ••^- . :, i,-0 t-/.V'::;. " "; / : ^; .iv.; *••.-• ••;;• •;- '4^1% vsxiT^ts% ^jy. ,. - •*.•••' • ••. V '•'^ ••' • VVv "•• ••' r. ' . ' ..I'-,'" ^'4-- • "^ ' ."AT£.^T'n-«^?r ...:. ;' v" 1if«^P^TWT;.a i'oM • ; .<•• - 'OU/A or nfroy »©»;• ».a ct^jojsrx ' ••,'\ •,o-f"•::iw^1pciir* A. ' - -,. •,: •• •.,,• • .^ mKf t i ,• *•*" -'X' ;• •;. •• ••- ,..• ,-• :.•'; ,••••" . X held for the purpose of statehood, It was only through a stroke of genius that General Wilkinson and General Miro's plan was defeated. In one of the letters written to General Miro by General Wilkinson, he listed the price that it would be necessary to pay seveaal Kentuckians in order to get them on the side of Spain* Two of those listed were Colonel Benjamin Logan and Isaac Shelby, and General Wilkinson estimated their price would be S600«00 apiece* These and other able Kentuckinas stood firm, and the Spanish threat was overcome. iben too, we all know of the near disaster Kentucky s^iffered in the Frenc|i Foreign Legion movement which was headed by Genet, the head of the French delegation %rtiich raised an army of Kentucky volunteers to go to New Orleans and take over Mew Orleans for Kentucky and declare Kentucky an independent state with its loyalty being to France rather than the United States. But in June, 1792, these dissident elements were all brought together into the formation of the State of Kentucky, the 13th State, con taining 73,000 people, with not a native born son old enough to vote* Kentucky in t\xrn, furnished settlers for many of the states west of the Mississippi* In fact, this community furnished two governors for Illinois and two governors for Texas, and the traits of those early settlers who endured the hardships of the frontier, and tthose interests were many and varied, have been handed down through the years to their descendents here in Kentucky, and we in turn, are a group of people with many and varied interests, habits, customs and political beliefs. Any examination of the past in retrospect should be done with an eye for the prospect of the future. And as I stand here this morning, I picture the officials of the County of Logan in September of X792 meeting at the old Cedar Houtte. each of them being pretty much law unto himself, each of them carrying their own side arms and being personally responsible for his safety and the safety of his family, and as I picture this quest for law and order that has taken place for 175 years, the sweeping reforms made as a result of the great revival of 1800 which began here on Red River and brought the many Christian reforms to the frontier 6f Kentucky, I cannot remove from this picture in my mind the smoke filled ruins of many of our cities of America today and the fact that in many of our larger cities the private citizens arc oticm again arming themselves to protect their families*^ How could we, in our time, have so conducted ourselves that these things which our forefathers laid down their lives for could be lost to our time. Might we be ever mindful that it is entirely possible that a peaceful law abiding group of people can, through lack of personal responsibility, lose the strength of our heritage which was passed on to us through the great sacrifices borne lay our forefathers in the quest for freedom, dignity and morality. Might we, of our time, be able to enthusiastically and in turn Judiciously re- examine the basic principles on v^xlch our society was formed, especially recognizing that our forefathers felt their primary responsibility was to God and that Christian ethics could not survive unless coupled with faith, and the second obligation of man was to his family, and that it is only through these two institutions that a society of free men can nurture and cultivate the morality and brotherhood envisioned by our forefathers. Man is predestined to do well eventually, but when I look upon those civilizations of Egypt, Persia, Rome and Greece which have been buried under the sands of time, X too, recognize that if we of our time do not • -4- .. shoulder our responsibilities that God could see that our civilisation is buried under the sands of time and our society could revert to the dark ages of Europe which followed the fall of these great civilizations* M