The Burlington weekly hawk-eye. [volume] (Burlington [Iowa]) 1860-1876, 1864-10-22

Mr.. Davis began by expressing sense
of gratitude Tor the occasion, which the
kind attention OF the Legislature had given
him, Of appearing before them, and assur-
ing the citizens OF Alabama from their cap
ital in which the first notes Of our exist
ence were issued ofhis remembrance and
sympathy. He would not attempt to con-
ceal the fact tha. auc hare experienced great
disasters Of late. The enemy have pressed
our armies backward into the center OF
Georgia, threatened the borders Of Ala
bama, and occupied the bay of Mobile;
but tie city stili stands, and will stand,
though every wall and roof shall fall TO
the ground. He had been disappointed
in al his calculations in Northern Georgia.
After sending forward TO the army at Dali
ton all the rein forcements ne could collect
from every quarter, including the troops
expected an advance through Tennessee
into Kentucky. Had he thought that in
stead Of the forward movement, our armies
would have retired 10 Atlanta, he would
have left his old. lamented and venerable
friend General Polk, to have assailed Sher-
man on his flank by Northern Alabama.
But he had yielded 10 the idea Of concen-
tration, and the sequel was anything than
what he had been induced to hope. Yet
we were not without compensation for our
losses. In Virginia, despite the odds
brought against US, We have beaten Grant,
and stiN definitely hold our lines before
Richmond and Petersburg. That pure
Christian, General Lee, although largely
outnuncbered upon his fanks, commanded
body OF men who had never known what
it was TO be whipped, and never stopped
to cipher. The time for action is now at
hand. There is bu. one duty for every
Southern man. 1t IS to 60 70 the 'front.'
Those who are able for the field should
not hesitate a moment, and those who are
no. should seek employment to aid and as
sist the rest, and to snd1ce their able Ood-
led associates to seek their proper place in
the army.
Mr.. DAVIS adverted to the part he had
himself endeavored 20 bear in the war, OF
his repugnance TO the Office of chief, and
his desire for the field, incident to a mill
tarv ambition and some faith in his capac-
itv for arms. He also alluded to his long
politica, career, and the animosites and i'll
feeling which an active part in the affairs
of the country had engendered. he mad
feared, he said, that old prejudices IN on.
ers might be turned against him. and that
old feelings in himself might influence bis
action; but that he could declare to-day,
after four years Of experience, and in the
same nall where he swOre before high
heaven to support the constitution OF his
country, that, so help him God, he had
never been induced to any course, pubic
or perSOuhis Oy az SOA4osNOA $500 =
past. He felt that it was no time. and he
was not the man, to have any friends 70 re-
ward or enemies to punish. There be some
men. said Mr.. Davis, who, when they look
at the sun, can only SEQ speck upon It.
am Of q more sanguine temperament, per-
haps. but have striven to behold our al
fairs with a cool and candid temperance
Of heart, and applying to them the most
rigid test, am the more confident the ION.
ger / behold the progress Of the war and
reflect upon what we have failed to do, we
should marvel and thank God for thegreat
achievements which have crowned our ef-
forts.
He next rapidly surveyed our history
for the past three years, concluding MS re.
sumo with thankfulness that the great
staple of the South had been superseded
by grain and produce for the support ol
our armies in the field.
He paid glowing tribute to the capacity,
gallantry and patriotism of Gov. Watts,
and urged upon the State and the Leglsta-
ture the wisdom of his councils. In Inc
same connection he spoke of the soidlers
of Alabama. They had fought every mere
and well. They were undaunted. Their
example should be the pride and glory OF
the State, and an eloquent appeal to those
who were yet behind.
Mr.. Davis spoke eloquent,y Of the hcr-