Daily State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1864-10-17
JEFr DAVIS ~ ALABAMA.


From The Montgomery X all
Nf Davis began by expressing = sense o.
gratitude for the occasion which the kind attention
Of the legislature had given him. Of appearing
before the and assuring ihe citizens Of Alsbama
from the capitol Ia which the first notes OF our
eristeDce were issued. Of his remembrance and
sympathy He would not attempt 20 conceal
the fact that Se have experienced great disasters
of late The ersmy have pressed our armies
backward ints the centre Of Georgia. threatening
the borders OF Alabama. and occupied the bay Of
Mobile. but the city stu stands. and will stand,
though every vail and root should fall - the
ground: lie had been disappointed in all his
calculations in northern Georgia After sending
forward 10 the srmy ~ Dalton all the re iuiOfce
ments be could collect from every quarter. m
GLIDING the troops from northern Mississippi. he
bad confidently expected a successful advance
through Tennessee ard Kentucky. HAD he
though; that instead OF the forward movement
our arms would have retired to Atlanta. he
would have left his old. lamented and venerable
friend. Gen. Polk, 20 have assaulted sherman
upon bis northern flank. bat he bad Welded
20 The ides OF concentration and the sequel was
anything than what he had been induced 10 hope
Yet We we're not without compensation for our
losses. In Virginia. despite the odds brought
egains, us, We have beaten Grsui, and stall de
6ant, bold our lines before Richmond and Peters
L burg That pure aud noble patriOt, mat great
soldier and christian, Gen. Lee, although largely
outnumbered ia front. largely out1umbeaed upon
his TANKS. commanded a body Of men who had
never known what il VAS 10 be whipped, and
never stopped to cipher. The time for action is
now az hand. There IA but one duty for every
southern man. IL Is 10 20 to the front. Those
who are able for the field should not hesitate for
y moment, and those who are not should seek
some employ meut TO aid and assist the rest, and
TO induce their able bodied associates to seek
their proser places in the army.
MI Davis adverted 10 the part he had himself
endeavored 20 bear in the war, Of bis repugnance
TO the Office Of chief. and his desire for the field,
incident to a military ambition and some faith in
bis capacity for arms. He also alluded TO bis
long political career, and the animosi;ies aud Ill
feeling which an active part in the affairs OF ia,
country had engendered. He had feared, hs
said, that old prejudices in others might be
turned against him., and that old feelings in him
self might influence his action: but that he coulC
declare to-day. after four years OF experience
and in the same ball where he swore before higt
heaven to support the Constitution OF his c-un
try, that, so help him God. he had never
been induced to any course. public or personal
/ by sny consideration of the past. He felt tina
a il was no time, aud he was not the man, 10 have
any friends 20 reward or enemies To- punish
There are some men, said Mr. Davis. who, wbeI
e they look at the sun. CAD only see a speck upol
: il. | am of more sanguine temperament, per
f, haps: but i have striven TO behold our affair
with a cool and candid temperance of heart. and
! applying to them the most rigid test, am tn,
5 more confident the longer | behold the progres
of the wal and reflect upon what we have fsilei
TO do, we should marvel and thank God for th,
great achievements which have crowned our ei
forts.
He next rapidly surveyed our history for tn
past three years. concluding bis resume with
thankiulness that the great staple of the Soutl
had been superseded by grain and produce 70
I the support OF our armies in the field.
8 He paid a glowing tribute to the capacity. cal
lantry and patriotism Of Gov. Watts. and urge
upon the State and the Legislature the wisdom o
ms c%ounsels. In the same connection he spok
to the soldiers OF Alabania. They had tough
everywhere, and well. They were still undaunf
/, ed. Their example should be the pride and glor
of the State. and an eloquent appeal TO those VIII
y were vet behind.
II Dir. Davis spoke eloquently OF the horrors q
a war and the sufferings of the people. He desire
= peace. He had tried to obtain il. and had bee
= rudely repulsed He should still strive. and b
IA the blessing of God and the strong arm Of th
q soldiers, vet hoped 70 obtain il. II there ar
. those who hoped TO outwit the Yankee. and b
smooth words and fair speeches, and by the ap
pearance of a willingness to treat or to listen Z
u re union. hope 10 effect any certain candidate i
the North, they deceive themselves. Victory j
the field is the surest element OF strength TO
peace party. Let US win battles. and we sha
have o%vertures soon enough. Is there a man il
the South in favor Of reconstructionP Mr.. Davi
# drew a fine picture of the horrors of reunion
4 which means subjugation, All that have {
saw. he exclaimed. in concluding this portion G
. his remarks, lis, that the man who Is IN favor c
e this degradation il on the wrong side of the lin
n Of battle"