Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1853-1862, 1861-02-23
The inauguration,

The proceedings of yesterday will form an ever
memorable epoch in the history Of the Confederate
States of America On that day. Gen. Jefferson
Davis the FIST Chief Magistrate of these States was
invested WITH the robes of the Office and in ascend
ing TO the BigheGt position in the gift of his coun-
trymeu. indicated in his inaugural address which
we publish elsewhere, the line Of policy which he
will pursue in the administration of the Govern
ment. OF the position taken by the President in
his address it is not purpose now to speak, far
Their than 10 remark that they such as TO com
Inand the universal endorsement Of people, and
must 90 far to command the respect sll right think
ing mes everywhere. If, after this, our enemies at
the North shall persist in representing that the Sc
ceded States not in earnest, they will fully
title themselves to be recorded among those who
having ears hear not and having eyes see not. Our
present object is merely to furnish the reader with
q hasty sketch Of the ceremonies Of the Inaugurs-
tion-the crowd being so large and impressive on
the great OCCASION that reporters were left too
far IN the back ground to present US description
Of the scene.
Never did Montgomery present such an appear
ance as on yesterday. Although notice that the
Inauguration would certainly take place on Monday,
had gone forth through the press only the Saturday
before the streets, dwellings and Capitol hill
literally tbronged with visitors who had come far
and near fl this and neighboring States to wit
ness the losing ceremony of the natal era
of the Con1st racy. All ages, sizes sexes and con-
ditions ont to give variety and spice to the
occasion. - ladies seemed to be present in larger
numbers p the men in honor of their gallant
President. , e assembage could not have number
ed less tn j .:l Thousand persons all animated by
a oommo. $.'re to maintain the dignity honor and
independe " u the Confederate States. If the peo-
Die of the ~ could only have witnessed the high
resolve WIN animated every heart in Montgomery
on yesterd SE;ye would fain believe they would be
struck wit Gazement and indignation at the mon
strous deiuEl which has been practiced upon their
creduhty z orthern presses and politicians, who
have told n thatlthis foodtide of secession is the
movement c sectional aspirants, and not of the
people. GIcS God, what man set of men hOwev-
err powerf' s Ould stem the popular current in the
great Stat, Y Of the Cotton Betl For years the
dead bodie5A time-serying politicians had damned
I'D the migiE depths of Southern patriotism, until
at last the u ,e of the people has swollen to ir
resistahle %t.me, aud borne men and parties before
it as driftjIIlod upon the bosom of the majestic
ocean. Her long will it take the North to believe
that our p2 lie are in advance of the politicians,
and that if latter appear to lead it is in obedience
to the deme of the former? If they shall persist
in their Coz tive measures, the argument Of cold
steel will SIN satisfy them. We sometimes fear
that nothing else will But to the pageant of yes
terday.
The prof. sssion formed on Montgomery street.
where GenxDavIs took his seat in magnificent
carriage Of Col. Tenant Lomax, drawn by six
beautiful gr9ys. On the same seat in the carriage
sat Weep .esident Stephens and opposite them
were Capt geo. Jones, of Ala and Rev. BazIl Man
lev of this 3ty. Then followed successfully in car
ages the Congressional, State, and City Committees
The eitzenson foot and the military escort formed
no inconsidfra portion of the procession. The
military esc;rt consisted of the Columbus Guards
Lieut. Ellis. THE Independent Rifles" Capt. Farris
the Eufaula Rifles" Capt. Baker, and the " Ger.
man FusiliGrs," Capt Scheussler, all under Capt
Semmes of The columbus Guards commanding
the Battalion.
the roar of cannon, the inspiring strains of martial
music, and the cheers of the multitude the scene
was grand beyond description. We TaItst not neg
lect to mention that Col. II. P Watson, of Montgom
cry, acted as Chief Marshal, by Congressional
appointment He was assisted by VIM Knox, jr,, of
Alabama; Hamilton Wright, of Florida; Daniel S.
Printup, Of Georgia Robert c. Wood, jr., of Louisi
ana, Joseph 2. Bilips, of Mississippi II. D. Capers
of South Carolina PheliX II. Roberts, Of Texas.
The Marshal apd assistants Ierforped their duly
well.
and portico of tho Capitol, and spread over the
ground in front, when the Inauguration ceremony
began as arranged on the front steps The Presi-
dent occupied seat on the portic0 with the Vice
President seated at his right and Hon. Howell Cobb
on his left. Gov Moore occupied seat on the
nlatfoTn Immediately below, where were also seated
he lneinbers Of Congress, facing the Presidents
stand The ceremony was opened With an lmpres-
sive prayer from the venerable Rev DR.. Manly HOH.
Howell Cobb, President of the Congress, admins
tered the oath of Office, and the President delivered
his inaugural address in q calm and forcble man
ner. the immense concourse now and then manifest
ing their appreciation by vocferous applause as he
would strike the key-notes of Southern indepen-
dence.
The ladies wreathed him with flowers, and ten
Thousand hearts beat high with icy, admiration and
hone for the administration Of the new President.
No man, not even Gen. Washington, was eyer
called 10 preside over people with more general
reclamation and confidence than Gen. Davis. His
past services and spoes private and pubic charac-
Ter are the surest guarantees that he will not disap
point the Just expectations of the coun:ry.-Wont-
gOnsela Aiggesfftssri