Western sentinel. [volume] (Winston [i.e. Winston-Salem], N.C.) 1856-1886, 1864-10-13
SPEECH OF PRESIDENT DAVIS Al
MONTGOMERY.

OE L LA 40 II 1
MONTGOMERY.
The Montgomery Mail has the follow
ing report:
Mr., DAVIS began by expressing sense
of gratitude tor the occasion, which the
KIND attention OF the Legislature had Civ
en- him, of appearing before them, and as
suripg the citizens of Alabama from that
capitol in which the first notes Of our ex-
isteice were issued, of his remembrance
and sympathy lie would not attempt to
conceal the fac that we have experienced
great disasters Of late. The enemy have
pressed our armies backward into the cen
tire Of Georgia, threatened the borders of
Alabama, and occupied the bay OF Mo-
bile, but the city still stands, and will
stand though every wall and roof should
fall to the ground. He bad been disap-
pointed in all his calculations in North
ern Georgia After sending forward to
tho army at Dalton all the reintorcements
he could collect from every quarter, in
Guiding the troops from Northern Mississ-
ippi, he had confidently expected sue
cessful advance through Tennessee into
Kentucky. Had he thought that instead
OF the forward movement our army woult
have retired to Atlanta, he would Save
left his old, lamented and venerated friend
Gen. Polk, to have assailed Sherman up
on his flank by North Alabama. But he
had Welded to the idea OF concentration,
and the sequel was anything than what he
had been induced to hope.
Yet We were rot without compensation
for our losses. In Virginia, despite the
odds brought against MS, we have beaten
Grant, and still defiant hold our lines be-
tore Richmond and Petersburg That
pure and noble patriot, that great soldier
and Christian, Gen. Lee, although largely
outnumbered in front, largely ontnnmber-
ed upon his TANKS, commanded body OF
men who had never known what ii was to
be whipped, and never stopped to cipher.
The time for action is now at hand
There is bat one duty for every South
ern man. 1t is to go to the front. Ihoae
who are able for the field should not hesl
tate moment, and those who are not
should seek some employment 10 aid and
assist the rest and to induce their ableebod
led associates to seek Their proper places
in the army.
Mr.. Davis adverted to the part he had
himself endeavored to bear in the war, of
his repngnance to the office Of chief, and
his desire tor the field, incident to a mill
tary ambition, and some faith in his ca.
pacity for arms. He also alluded to his
long political career, and the animosities
and iil-ieelins which an active part in the
affairs of the country had engendered.--
He had feared, he said, that old prejudi-
ces in others might bc turned against him,
and that old feelings in himself might in
huence his action, but that he could de-
clare to day, after four years experience,
and in the same hall where he swore be-
fore high heaven to support the Constitu-
& ton Of his country, that so help him God
he had never been induced TO any course
public or personal by any, consideration
OF the past. lie felt thatitawas no time,
and he was not the man, TO have any
: friends to reward or enemies to punish.-
ii There be- some men, said. Mr.. Davis,
who, when they look at the sun, Gan, only
Gee q speck upon it lam OF a more. san
gpine temperament perhaps, but [ have
striv en- to behold our affairs with cool
and candid temperance OF heart, and ZAP
plying TO them the ipost rigid tests anl the
more fcnnfidentlt the longer. behold the
progress al the war and rshech upon " hat
we have tailed to- do. we. should, marvel
aud thank God for the great achieveAcnts