Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1864-09-29
PREsIDENC DAVIS, SPEECH.


The Macon Confederate Telegrsph-has the follow
report of Mr.. Davis SPEECH.
Introduced by Genera! Cobb, Mr.. Davis said:
Ladies and Gentlemen, Friends and Fellow Citizens:
Ii would have gladdeued my heart to have you in
prosperity nstea of adversely But friends drawn
together in diversity. The SOD Of Georgian, who
fought through the first Revelation, would be untrue
to myself should forget the State in her day OF peril
What though misfortune has befaen our arms from
Decatur to Jonesborc cause is not lost. Sherman
cannot keep up his long line of communication, and re-
treat sooner or later, he must. And when that day
coes The fate that befel the army of the French En-
pre snd its retreat fom Moscow will be reenactel--
Our cavalry and cur people will harrass and destroy
his army did the Cossacks that of Napoleon, and
the Yankee General ike him will escape with only
body guard.
How can this be the most speedily Effected, By
the abentees of Hoods army returning to their posts
And will they not2 Can they zee the banished exiee,
they hear the wall Of their suffering country women
and children. and not come. BY what Influences they
are made 10 stay away it is not necessary to speak II
there who will stay at this hour be is unworthy
the name Of Georgian. To the women no appeal is
necessary. They like the Spartan mothers of old.
know OF one who had los. all her except one Of
eight years. She wrote that SIZE wanted me to re-
serve place for him in the ranks The venerable Gen.
Polk, to whom l read the letter, knew that woman
WELL and said that it characteristic OF her. But
will not weary you by turning aside to relate the var
ous Incidents OF giving up the last soa to the cause OF
Our country known to me. Wherever we go we find
are seen wherever the eye may tall, the step turn
They have one duty to performto buoy up the hearts
of cur people
know the deep disgrace elt by Georgia at our ar
my falling back fr<n Dalton to the interior of the State;
but not Ct those who considered A tlanta lost
when army crossed the Cnatahoochee. resolved
that it should not, and l then put in command
who knew would strike an honest and manly bow
for the city, aid many arkee's blood made to
nourieh the soil before the prize
rev dis at
the dad bury the dead" Let US with one arm and
one effort eldeavor 10 crush Sherman. l going to
The army to confer with Generals. The ED must
be the defeat OF enemy. Il has been said that
had abandoned Georgla 10 her tate Shame upon such
talsehood. Where could The author have been when
Walker, when Polk, AID when Gen. Stephen D Lee
was sent to hir assistance Miserable man. The man
who uttered this was scoundrel. He was not man
to save our country.
II knew General did not possess the right quail
ties to command, would not be wrong if he not
removed? Why, when Our army was falling back
from Northern Georgia, even beard that had Bragg
with pontoons to cross it to Cuba. But we must be
charitable.
The who speculate ought to be made to
take up his musket. When the war is over and our
Independence won, land aVe 10W establish CUR indie
pendence) who will be our arisocracy? I hope the
limplng sodir. To the young ladies would aay when
choosing between an empty sleeve and the nRn who
had remained at home aud grown rich, always take the
empty sleeve. Let the old remain at home and
make bread. But should they know of auy young men
keeping away from the service who cannot be made to
60 any her way, let them write to the Executive.
read all letters sent from the people, but have not the
time to reply to them.
You have not many men between 19 and 45 left
The boys-God bless the boys-a1e, as rapidly az they
become old enough, going to the field The city Of
Macon is filled with stores, sick and wounded. 1t must
not be abandoned, when threatened but when the
my comes instead of calling upon Hoods srmy for de-
ience the old men must fight, and when the enemy is
E,okt $Io
general rejoicing.
Your prisoners kept as sort of Yankee capital
have heard that Of their Generals said that their
exchange would defeat Sherman. I have tried every
means, conceded everything to effect exchange to
purpose. Butler the Beast, with whom ne Commits
sioner Of Exchange would hold intercourse, had pub
lshed in the newspapers that if would consent to
the exchonge of negroes, all difficulties might be reno
we'd This s reported as an effort OF his to get himself
whitewashed by holding intercourse with gentlemen.
If an exchange could be Effected don't know but that
I might be inauced to recognize Butler. But in the
future every effort will be given as far as possible to
Effect the end. We want soldiers IN the field, and
We want the, sick and wounded to return home.
It is not proper for to speak of the number omen
in the field. But this will say, that twothirds Of our
men absent-some SICK some wounded, but most OF
them absent without leave The man who repents and
goes back to bis commander Voluntarily ut appeals
10 executive clemeucy. But suppose he stays away
until the over and his comrades return home,
when every mans history will be told, where will be
shield himself It ia upon these reflections that rely
to make return to their duty but after conering
with Generals at headquarters il there be any 9th
er remedy it shall be applied.
love my friends and forgive my enemies. have
been asked to send reinforcements from Virginia to
Georgia. In Virginia the disparity in numbers is just
as great as it is in Georgia. Then have been asked
Why the army sent to the Shenandoah Valley was not
sept here. 1t because army of the enemy had
penetrated that Valley to the very gates of Lynchourg
and Gen. Early sent to drive them back. This he
not only successfully did, but, crossing the Potomac
came well nigh capturing Washington ITSELF and forced
Grant to send two corps of bis army 10 protect it
This the enemy denomnated raid. If so, Sherman 8
march into Georgia is raid. What would prev nt
them now, if Early was withdrawn, penetrating down
the valley and putting complete Gordon of men around
Richmond. l counselled with that great and grave
SOLDIER Gen. Lee, upon these points. My mind roams
over the whole field.
With this we Can succeed. If one half the men now
feat the enemy. With that hope I'm goiog to tn:
front. 1 may not realize this hope, but know there
are men there who have looked death 10 the face toe
often to despond now. Let no despond Let NC
one distrust, and remember that genius is the beau
ideal, hope is the reality.
TIE President then alluded to the objects for which
the meeting had assembled and expressed the hope that
the refugees and exes would be we'll provided ior.--
His remarks were often interrupted by applause.
THE PEACE COEFEREECE.
We have pretty reliable report Ct the result of the
iuf1rmal deputa.iou to Gov Brown 10 invite him to
peace conference with Gen. SheE The latter had