The Hillsborough recorder., 1864-10-12
PRESIDENT DAVIS IN ALABAMA.

1t Montgomery on Thursday last. The
Montgomery Mail gives the following
sketch:
Mr.. Davis began by expressing = sense
Of gratitude for the occasion. which the
kind attention Of the Legislature had given
him. Of appearing before them. and asssr-
ing the citizens Of Alabama from that capi-
tel in which the first notes OF our exis-
tsnce were issued, OF his remembrance
and sympathy. He would not attempt to
conceal the fact that we have experienced
great disasters Of late. The enemy have
pressed eur armies backward in the centre
Of Georgia, threatened the borders Of Ala
bama, and occupied the bay of Mobile. but
the city still stands, and will stand though
every wall and roof should fall to the
xrsund. He had been disappointed in all
his calculations in Northern Georgia. AZ
ter sending forward to the army at Dalton
all the reiRforc ements he could collect
from every quarter. including the troops
from Northern Mississippi, he had conf
deltly expected successful advance
thrsug ID Tennessee into Kentucky. Had
he thought instead Of the forward move
msnt eur arms would have retired to. At
lanta, he. xeald have left his old. lanented
and venerated friend. Gea. Polk. to have
assaiIed Sherman upon his flank BY North
Alabama. But he had yielded to the idea
Of concentration, and the sequel was any
thing than what he had bsen induced 10
hope.
Yet We we're not without compensation
for eur losses. In Virginia, despite tho
odds brought against US, we have beaten
Grant, and still defiant hold our lines. be-
fsrs Richmond and Petersburg. That pure
aad noble patriot. that great soldier and
christian, Gen. Lee, although largely out
numbered in front, largely outnumbered
upon his f1aRks, commanded body OF men
who had never known what il was to be
whipped, and never stopped to cipher.
The time for action is new At hand.
There is bu. one duty fer every Southern
nan. Ii is 10 90 to the front. Those who
are able for the field should not hesitate a
moment, and those who are not should seek
some employment to aid and assist the
rest, and to induce their able-bodied assn
ciatss 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 repugnaace 70 the efice of chief, and
his desire for the 6sld, Incident 10 mill
tary education aud natural military am
bition, and ssme faith in his capacity for
arms. He also alluded 10 his long polIti-
cal career, and the animosities and ll.fsel-
ing which an active part 10 the affairs Of
the ceuatry had engendered. He had fear
ed, be said. old prejudises in others nigh,
be turned against him, and that old feel
ings in himself might influence bis action.
but that he could declare to-day, after four
years Of experience, and in the same hall
where he swere before high heaven TO sup
port the Csnstitutisn Of his country, that
50 help him God he had never bees iaduc-
ed TO any course public or personal by any
consideration Of the past. He felt that i,
was no tine, aud he was NOT the man, 10
have any frieRds 70 reSard or enemies 70
punish.
There be ssme men. said Mr.. Davis
who. when they lock at the sun, can only
see speck upon il. am Of more san.
gulne temperament perhaps, but hav,
striven to behold our affairs with a COO
aud candid temperance Of heart. and ap.
plying to them the most rigid test. am ii,
more confident the longer | behold th'
progress Of the war and reflect upon wha
we have achieved. Instead Of compl,in
ing At what we have failed TO do, we should
marvel and thsnk God for the grea
achievements that have crowned our ef
fsrts.
He next rapidly surveyed our hisior,
for The past three years. paid q CLOWN.
tribute 10 the capacity aud gslIsntry o
Gov. Watts, and spoke Of the soldiers 0
Alabana. They haa fought eyetywhere