Daily State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1864-04-01
PRESIDENT DAVIS SPEECH.

The President said
Friends and Fellor Soldiers welcome you
to vour native land. When have heard OF the
suiterlngS YOU have endured. aud the indignitIes
70 which you have been subjected, while helpless
prisoners of cruel captors nv heart has yearned
Tor YOU with fathers deep sympathy anu affec.
tonate solicitude; il has burned with Indignation
at your wrongs; but il has also pulsated with
unspeakable pride aud exultatIOn at the lOrttute
YOU have eviDced under the severest trials, the
integrity you have preserved amid the most in
sld0us temptations, and the calm trust you have
never ceased to repose IN the righteousness Of
your coCu,rys cause. Cheers
The color bearer among you. when captured,
secretei his battle flag in his bosom, and pos
sesSed il through long captivity until the proud
moment arrived, when. standing on the deck OF
Confederate vessel, he gave its folds, amid the
cheers OF his comrades. once more 10 the light of
his native skies Applause With no less
Jealous care, through the long weary months OF a
vile Imprisonment you have kept entwined
around your heart of hearts an unfading love OF
that sacred emblem, and your faithful guardian
ship earns for YOU the admiration OF your Gov
eminent, and is hailed by the plauditS of your
grateful countrymen.
You have passed through many bitter trials.
You know there many more in store for you.
You have followed that flag with unfaltering
IL again with no less enthusiasm. as each day
makes il more precious, and sheds "a new rad-
ance on its bright folds To the spirit that has
carried YOU 70 MANY hishts of victory in
the past, will be ADDED the inspiration of new
wrongs and outrages. that will strengthen your
arms and nerve your hearts 10 a resistance that
nothing can overcome in the future Your
brother soldiers have awaited Your coming with
painful anxetv They will welcome YOU with
open arms You will tell them bv the camp fires
OF the horrors Ot Your long captivity. You will
contrast your sufferings with the generosity with
which their prisoners have been treated at our
hands, and though YOU have felt many times this
broad distinction. YOU responded 10 the senti-
ment of your comrades at home, that we must
never forget what is due TO ourselves a civil
lied people, though the enemy have nothing to
claim
Your words will excite them to an unconauer-
able determin ltion. They will you TO
the highest pitch Of martial enthusiasm by ac-
counts OF their glorious deeds ia your absence
Together YOU will be stimulated To renewed ex-
ertiOu until you plant our banner on the nights of
Southern Independence. and deck it with the
rich fruits and fragrant flowers of all enduring
peace. Applause
You will tud YOUR families suffering less than
you have been led to suppose You will find
much of our territory devastated but the people
still true % the spirit Of '76 Applause You
will find the old State OF Virginia barug her
bosom to the storm. with lion heart ana eagle
eve. defiant ~ ever so long she has crust
YOU vii share her hospitality. Cheers After
a short respite. Won viii he called again to the
front / know YOU will come. Applause