The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1864-10-11
PRESIDENT DAVIS SPEECH
At Columbia, S. G.

the 18th inst. We copy the main portion OF 1t.
Ladies and Gentlemen Of the Mefropolis o1
| South CarDlino: Your Mayor has welcomed me to
your bome. [ receive his greeting with that graf.
itude which one only feels when he hears express
ed the language of commentator from those whose
silence would have made him realize that his con-
duct had been bad indeed. If in this great strug
gle for the rights of the States and the liberties OF
the people, to secure the possession OF which and
to transmit which to US, fathers OF the revolu-
ton shed their blood, South Carolina, who has
stood for thirty years in the vanguard should give
him who asserted those rights, no word of well
done, he might turn convinced that he had failed
as public servant to perform his mission, and as
man had proven unable TO cope with the respon-
sibilites of his position Therefore tits, Mr. Mayor
and fellow citizens of Columbia, that feel heartily
grateful for the welcome received at your hands.
South Carolina has struggled nobly in the war
and suffered many sacrifices. There is. indeed, no
portion Of land where the pail of mourning has
not been spread; but thank :he Giver of all Good
that our people still remain firm there, above all
other places. l am told there have been none to
waver and none to doubt. 1t often happens that
at distance from scene of action men, who If
present would easily measure it, magnify danger,
until at last these become dcspondcnt whose hearts,
if actually stirred by perS, would no sooner think
Of shrinking from the prompt performance OF duty,
than the gallant of Carolina, whose blood has
generously flowed the many battle-helds OF
this war. But if there be any who feel that eur
is in danger; that final success may not crown
our efforts; that are not stronger to day than
when We cgan this struggle, that we we are not
able to continue the supplies to our armies and to
our people, let all SUCH read as contradiction In
the smiling face Of our land and the teamlng evil
dences of plenty which every where greet the eye;
let them 60 to those places where brave men are
standing in front of the foe and there receive the
assurance that shall have final success aud that
every man who does not live to his country free,
will see freeman's grave. (Applause)
There arc those Who like the Israelites of old,
are longing to turn back to the flesh pots they
have left; who have thought there may still be
some feasible mode Of reconciliation, and would
even be willing to rush into reconstruction of the
Unon. Such, [ am glad to know, do not flourish
on the soil Of South Carolina Such cannot be the
sentiment OF any man in tie Confederate States, if
he Will only recOect that from the beginning
down to the present hour, your Government has
made every effort within its power to avoid col
sion of arms in the first instance, and since then
to obtain every possible means Of settlement hon
orable to ourselves, based a recognition Of
Independence. First; we sent commissioners to
ask on what terms the quarrel could he I'D ustcd,
and since that time we have proclaimed in every
public paper our desire for peace lnsolcntly our
every effort has been met. The Vice President of
the Confederate States refused a passport to
the North, when lis ct, ject Deeotiation-that
means by which all wars must be terminated The
door vas rUdcly shut in cur faces. Intervention
and recognition 10y foreign States so long antici)a
ted. has proved iy"iS J;'tuus. There is, then,
but one means by which YOU can hope to gain in
dependence and an honorable peace, aud that is by
uniting with harmony, energy and determination in
lighting those great battles and achieving those
great victories, which will teach the world that we
can defend our rights and the Yankee nation that
it is death to ipcade them. (Applause)
With every Confederate victory, stocks rise
in the foreign maEket--that touch stone Of Euro
pean sentiment. With every noble achievement
that Influences the public mind abroad, you are
taking step forward, and bringing foreign ma
tions step nearer your aid in recognizing and
lending you friendly intervention, whenever they
are satisfied that: intervention Intervention,
the Confederacy can sustain itself.
Does any enc believe that Yankees are to be con-
cated by terms of concession? Does any man
imagine that we can conquer the Yankees by re-
treating before them, do you not all know that
the only way to make spanels civil is to whip !
them? And you whip them, if all the men
capable of bearing arms will do their duty by |
taking their places under the standard of their
country, before the veteran troops of the North
cc!ve the fresh increment which is being gathered |
in the Northern States Now is the good and ac-
cepted time for every to rally to the standard
Of his country and crush the invader upon her soil;
and this, | believe, is in your power If every
man fit to bear will place himself in the ranks
with those who already there, we shall not bat
tie in vain, and achievement will be grand
fual and complete. Is this time to ask What the |
law demands Of you-to inquire whether or not
sou are exempt under the law, or to ask if the .
maeStrate will take you out Of the enrolling office |
by writ Of hobeox corpus? Rather is it not the |
lime for every capable Of bearing arms to say
My country needs my services, and my country
'hal! have them When your heroic fathers, the
" hies of the Revolution, Tough in that war which
secured your birthright, their armies were not |,
gathered by asking who can be forced into the
ield? but "who are able to fght?" No man was
90 old aud ne boy too young, if he had the physi
al capacity to enter the ranks Of tie army. In
he days Of the Revolution, the boy left his pater-
la roof only to return to rs hackeHed ruins. He
rev to manhood among its struggles; and may not
our country claim similar services from the youth
# the present day? Like them, you mnst emulate
he glory Of your sires. Say not that you are un-
quail to the task, for believe that people are
ven better than were cur honorCG ancestors
they have fought more and bloodier battles, and
here are fewer WHO are lukewarm in the cause
low, then existed in the days of the Revolution.
What GLORIOUS reflection it is, that wherever the
ide of has rolled It's devastating wave over the
aud just there do you find every heart beatins true
o the Contederacy, strengthened, as it were, BIZ
icissitudes, and every ready to share her
ast loaf with the soldier who is fighting for our