The Nashville daily union. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1862-1866, 1864-03-27
From the Ch,ttannnaa Garel
REBEL NEWS.

The Atlanta-Memphis Appeal, and
the Atlanta COnfederacy, Of the 22d
were received here last evening. We
give below the speech of Jefferson
Davis upon the reception of returned
prisoners, delivered at Richmond:
DAVIS SPEECH
Friends and Fellow-Soldiers I vel
come you to your native land.
When | have heard of the sufierings
YOU have endured, and the indignities
to which YOU have been subjected while
helpless prisoners Of cruel captors, my
heart has yearned for you with a
fathers deep sympathy and aflectionate
solicitude; it has burned with indigna-
ton at your wrongs; but it has also
pulsated with unspeakable pride and
eXultatiOn at the fortitude YOU have
evinced under the severest trials, the
integrity you have preserved amid the
most insidiOus temptations, and the
calm trust you have never ceased to
repose in the righteousness of your
country 5 cause (Cheers)
A color bearer among you when cap
fured, secreted his battle flag in his bo-
captivity, until the proud moment ar
rived when, standing on the deck Of a
Confederate vessel, he gave its folds,
amid the cheers OF his comrades, once
more to the light Of his native skies,
(Applause) With q no less Jealous
care, through the long weary months Of
vile imprisonment, you have kept en-
twined around your heart Of hearts an
uniading love Of that sacred emblem,
and your faithful guardianship earns
for you the admiration of your Govern
ment, and IS hailed by the plaudits Of
your cOuntrymen.
You have passed through many bit
ter trials You know there are many
more in store for you You have fol-
lowed that flag with unfaltering steps
on many bloody field You will fol-
low it again with no less enthusiasm,
as each day makes it more precious,
and sheds new radiance on its bright
folds To the spirit that has carried
you forward to so many heights of vie
tory in the past will be added the in
spiratiOn of new wrongs and Outrage5
that will strengthen your arms and
nerve your hearts to resistance that
nothing can overcome in the future
Your brother-soldiers have awaited your
coming with painful anxiety. They
will welcome you with open arms.
You will tell them, by the camp fires,
Of the horrors of your long captivity
You will contrast your sufierings 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 to the
sentiments Of your comrades at home,
that we must never forget what is due
ourselves rs a civilized people, though
the enemy have nothing tOclaim. Your
words will excite them to an uncon-
querable determination They viii ex-
cite you 20 the highest pitch Of martial
enthusiasm by accounts Of their glO-
rieus deeds in your absence Together
you will be stimulated to renewed ex-
crtiOn until you plant our banner on
the heights Of Southern Independence
and deck it with the fruits and flowers
Of an enduring peace LApplause
You Will find your families suffering
less than you have been led 10 suppose.
You will find much Of our territory de
yastated, but the people still true to the
spirit Of 76. LApplause ] You will
find the old State of Virginia barring
her bosom 10 the storm with lion heart
and eagle eye, defiant rs ever. So long
as she has a crust you will share her
hospitality Cheers After a short
respite you will be called again TO the
front. / know you will come. LAp-
plausc