Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1861-05-31
The Journey OF President Davis to Rich


mond.
President Davis, accompanied by his Aid
Col. Wigfall, and lady, and by Hon Robert
Toombs, OF Georgia, left Montgomery by cars
on Sunday evening last. They made no spc
cial stoppage on the route, and owing to pre-
yious severe indisposition Of the President, il
was desirable that his trip to Richmond should
be as private as practicable. At each station,
his friends endeavored to convey this informa.
ton to the citizens but it was really to no
purpose, No matter where the cars stopped,
even though it was only for wood or for water,
throngs Of men, wonen and children would
gather around the cars, asking in loud shouts,
Where IL President Daris'" "JsT Darts !''
'sthe old hero n and he WAS forced to make
his appearance and frequently to address them.
Then We could see haudkerchiels waving, and
gay flags and bouquets.
When tue flute like voice Of Davis srnsu
upon the air, hushed to Stiffness by the pro.
found respec. Of his auditors, it was not long
before there was an oulburst of feeling which
gave vent in tornado OF voices; these would
break forth in constant SUCCESSION to the end
Of bis address. Every sentilnen. he uttered
seemed to vel! up from his heart, and was re.
c.ived with the widest enthusiasm. When
he concluded, three hearty cheers always went
up from the multitude. The crowd then
shouted for Wigfall, and no excuse was tolcra.
ted. In vain he would seek some remote part
Of the cars: the crowd hunted him up, and the
welkin rang with rejoicings, us he addressed
them in his emphatic and fervent style OF
| oratory Next would be heard cry for
"Toolrbs" lie, too, sought to avoid the call,
but the echo would ring with the name Of
"Toombs!" ''Toombsl" and the sturdy Georgian
statesman had to respond. His frank and
open manner came home to the hearts Of all.
Whether in his own State, in South Carolina,
iu Alabama, OF North Carolina, bob Toombs, "
as they Familiarity called him in Georgia, was
always welcome when be addressed the people.
In Atlanta, Augusta, Wilmington and Colds
borough, the crowds assembled were very
large, and the enthusiasm unboundcd
At Goldsborough, while partaking CT his
supper in the hall Of the hotel, the table was
thronged with beautiful girls, and many were
bedecking him with garlands of q overs, while
Others famed him. Il was most interesting
occasion The military had formed into
squares to receive him from the cars; guns
were fred, aud the band struck up inspiriting
martial airs during the interval of supper.
The whole country is a camp. On every
haad We see soldiers-and every day tho cal S
we're crowded with them. From appearances,
they are the flower of the South. The jour
ney Of President Davis from Montgomery to
10 the capital was one continuous ovation.
The whole soul of ths South is in this war
and the confidence manifested in our Presi-
dent, in the many scenes which transpired on
this trip, shows that the mantel Of Washington
falls gracefully upon his shoulders. Never were
a people more enraptured with their Chiei Ma.
gistrate than ours are with President Davis,
and the trip FROM Montgomery to Richmond
will ever be remembered with delight by all who
witnessed it The eagerness Of young and old
and of all classes to catch glimpse Of him, or
take kim by the hand, is beyond description.
This trip has infused a martial feeling in our
people that knows no bounds While, how
ever, there is a rush to the battlefield in our
older States, which threatens to Eli up all the
ranks in our army, We must have thought
for the far distant west and give our young
sister States an opportunity to unto their
names in the history Of our war on tho Dor
ders of Virginia.
The President and sui. were welcomed to
Virginia by deputatiou of the Governor Of
the State and The Mayor Of Richmond These
gentlemen reached the party ut Petersburg
and accompanied them to the city.
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