The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1865-02-21
SPEECH OF PRESIDENT DAVIS
At the great Var Meeting held IN Richmond
"a, on February 6, 1865.

his EXceiieDcy, the fResi0eHe OF the Conleue
rate States, being on the stand, was loudly called
for, and went to the front. His appearance wa.
the signal for prolonged and enthusiastic cheering
Round after round Of cheers went up from all parts
of the building, and every vocal energy Of the
assembly seemed taxed to its utmost in swelling
the tremendous acclamations The President
meantime gracefully bowed his thanks to the DIFF
ferent parts of the audence and after the inspir-
ing outburst of ympatby and enthusiasm had at
length subsided, he proceeded to address the assem-
bly,. We pretend to no more than to give the sub
stance of some of his remarks.
The President said that if he were there to
assist in celebrating great and decisive victo-
ry tG our arms, in hailing the establishment of
peace he should have been most happy. But in
times like those which are now upon us-when
dangers confront and path is beside the ice.
shore and the breakers-to witness the manifesto
tions of such spirit on the part of his country
men as was there displayed, was more than happi-
ness-it was estate .j2y! He had always looked
with pride upon his countrymen. lie had rejoic-
ed in their patriotism and their courage. But be
was prouder stii4 when he contemplated the forti-
tude which plueks flowers from reverses, and beats
high with hope in the presence Of fresh calls upon
its courage and endurance.
The President said that it was meet that the
spirit which inspired this meeting. should find its
were heard the cannons of the enemy. Immune
rable hiloeks in the neighbering cemeteries, tell
of the brave men from every State in the Confede-
raey who have given their lives for their country
On of the hills of this city stands that sacred
building, in which Patrick Henry and his compa-
riots, pledged life fer liberty. Here, too was the
capitol Of the Confederacy, aud of that proud old
State who had been truly termed the ''mether of
statesmen" If the spirit which has been indca-
ted shall meet with general response, and prove
to be the universal sentiment of the land of which
he did not doubt, then, indeed, would he feel that
we were on the very verge of success. Loud
cheers. We would not again be insulted BY such
terms of peace as the arrogance of the enemy had
lately proposed; but ere many months bad elapsed,
our successes would cause them to feel that when
talking to US they talking to their masters.
Great applause.
Does any one, he inquired, who has seen the
Coafederate soldiers, believe they willing to
fall? If so, the suspicion is most njust Go
to our camps; go to our guarded lines; go where
our pickes hold their dangerous watch, and to the
posts where sentinels tread their weary rounds,
and you will find in none of those the place for
grumblings and complaints. The resolution of
our soldiers exclaim with Patrick Henry, "Vctory
or death p 1t is in the crowded mart, where
these are found whose pockets are stuffed with i'll
gotten gains, that you find the persons who grum-
BILE and complain. Applause The progress of
events had however, brought pressure even up
on these which would urge them to their duty.
There treasure is in danger, and their only securi
ty for it is in performing their duty to their couu
try.
The time for argument, said the President is
passed. The duty that remains is to stand to our
arms. He had just made an effort to secure
peace, as he had done several times before. He
had made it in the cause of humanity and the
try At the very organization of our Government,
in Montgomery, his first care to send Commits
soners to Washington. They were rejected At
latter period, he had requested the second officer
under the Government Vice President Stephens)
to seek conference; the avowed object being to
make arrau gements for the proper treatment and
exchange of prisoners, but in addition to, and sAe
hind that it the object to institute if possible,
negotiations for peace. But our Vice President
was refused an audience; not even allowed to ap-
proach the throne. Since that time he had in
various ways, and on every proper occasion, pro-
claimed the desire of this country for peace and
his own anxiety to secure it, but until now, no
opening had presented itself fot an advance to-
wards negotiation. This recent opportunity he
had embraced. He Gid it in the hope that some
plan of accommodation might be agreed upon. He
would be less than man if he had not felt an
est DESIRE yearning anxiety, to relieve the coun-
soldiers to their homes. Anything honorable, and
our independence basis, would
have been gladly acceded to. The person did not
know him who might suppose that, under any cir
he would consent to reconstruct the
late Union.
We had now learned the terms on which the
enemy are willing to- accord peace. We are re-
auired to make an unconditional surrender. We
are not allowed to go back to them as came out,
but are required to take just what a conqueror may
choose to give the conquered
;. Men proposes, but God disposes. Relying on
the courage and devotion Of his countrymen and
reverently appealing to Heaven for its aid to our
cause the President said his confidence was frm,
that God would abuse the arrogance of our eue-
mics, and crown our exertions with triumph
President Lincoln had, indeed, promised that
in the enforcement of bis laws for the coEfscation
of our property and the hanging of our officers his
policy would be "liberaI." Laughter.1 Beecher
in late sermon at Washington had pictured long
line of rebels on their way to the gallows; and
President Lincoln's heart had perhaps softened at
.he length of the procession. The leaders whom
they propose to hang are your servants, and they
are not worthy to be your servants, the President
said, unless they were willing TO be sacrificed in
your cause, even unto death.
If the power of the enemy were ten times great
er, and ours ten times less than it is there still
some rights Of which they could not dispossess US;
the right TO maintain our personal honor, aud the
right to Fill ar honorable grave. loud applause
If faithful to the end We shall stand proud amongst