Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1863-01-13
Speech of President Davis.

On the return of President Davis, on Monday
night, the 9th inst, to Richmond, from his tour
in the South and Southwest, he was serenaded
assembled on the occasion in very appropriate
manner. The following is the conclusion Of his
speech:
ssWar is an evil in every form in which it can
be presented, but it has its paliiating circum-
stances. ms is new government, formed OF
independent States, each jealous OF its own SOW
ereignty. 1t is necessary that it should be tried
IN the severe cruclble in which we are being
tested, In order to cement us together. The en-
JOyments and comforts we have been compelled
to renounce, the long months Of deep anxiety
each has elt, the unceasing labors that have tes-
tea our united energies, the sacrifices we have
Deen subjected to In common, and the glory
winch enclrcies our brow has made us a band OF
brothers, and, trust, we will be united forever.
(Applause).
On your soil has the blood of every State been
sned-fr0m your soil has gone home the manned
soldier, and the soldier disabled by disease, and
" every State of the Confederscyshas been borne
.ne story Of the hospitality of Vrginians; how
sne KIND women have nursed his wasted form and
Dathed his feyered brow. W hen in years to come
arises the recollection of these kind attentions,
his eyes will fill with tears of gratitude and IN
his heart he will bless the good women OF Vir-
ginia.
BY the firm friendship soldiers from different
States have formed and cemented by mutual hard
ships and dangers; by the glory in which all
aiike participate; by the congeniality OF thought
and sentiment, which united us at first in a COM
mon destiny, and the thousand events and asso-
Citations which have since tended to render US
more united by all these causes the existence OF
|jealousleS and rivalries will be prevented, and
when peace and prosperity shall come to US, we
Will go on assisting each other to develop the
great political ideas upon which our government
Is based and the immense resources which nature
has lavished upon US. Of the former we ara
awakening to an appreciation of their deep sig
nlfcance In the latter direction we are display
ing unexampled energy. Our mines have been
made to yield up neglected wealth, and manufac-
| turtles start up as if by magic. We are becoming
| independent IN several ways. If the war con-
tinues, we shall only grow stronger and stronge:
to-day with that which existed one year ago.
See the increasing power Of the enemy, but mark
| that our own has been prOportionably greater,
until We see in the future nothing to disturb the
prospect Of the independence for which we arr
| struggling. One year ago many were depressed
| and some Respondent. Now deep resolve is seen
in every eye, an uncomfortable spirit nerves ev-
cry arm. And gentle woman, too, who can es-
timace the value of her services in this struggle
| TApplause]. The mother who has given her
son, the wife who has given her husband, the
| girl who has given her sweetheart, are not all
| their fingers busy making clothing for the troops
| in the field, and their words of encouragement
a most animating impulse to the soldier? Whilst
| their prayers go up for the safety of friend OF
relatvie in the field, always coupled with them
is the earnest aspiration for the independence Of
our country. With such noble women at home
and such heroic soldiers in the field, we are in.
vincible. [Applause].
| ! thank you my friends for the kind salutatior
| tonight it is an indication that at some future
time we shall be better acquainted. trust We
shall all live to enjoy some of the fruits Of the
great struggle in which we are engaged. My
prayers are for your individual and collective
welfare. May God prosper our cause and may
we live to give to our children untarnished The
rich Inheritance which our Fathers gave to u.s.
Good night.