Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1865-01-12
SPEECH OF CAPTAIN snMmEs.

The Mobile Trbdne, OF the 20.h contains the follow.
ing report of the speech of Capt Semmes Of the Ala
bamG delivered the night before to his fellow cz us On
the occasion of the eereuade:
fellow CITEENs: i thank you very cordially for
7cur kind demonstration with which you have been
pleased to compliment me. need not say to you that
feel highly graf9d by it, and the especially th2t
it is manifested towards me by my fellow tOwnsmen. -.
| lapdea in the CJnederacy about four weeks ago on
he borders OF Mexico, and at every step have taken
[ have been honortd with similar MAJ ks Of attention
from my fellow. citizens. 1 afraid. however, lh.l
you are all doing more honor and giving me more
credit thai have any right to appropriate. Ms T. p
Iug is, that have done 10 more than my duty th'
best of my abli y-nO more THAI the humblest solder
has borne bis musket bravely and faithfully IN tn
revolution, and that l deserve more of my Clulry-
men than n does. to sailor ADD soldier alike hoN
the appreciation of MS fellow citIZ ns cannot bur b.
gratifying, and canLot disguise il from you that ire
man station to ne is so, and particularly, have
alre ady said when it comes from my fellow tOEusuIeu
have not merely to return my thanks 10 you Dr this
bring you good Jews. Wherever / have been since
landed on ny way home, have seen nothing but ID
most encouraging evidences of the progress of our go
GUS cause and OF irrefragbe confidence III il. Every
where have found our people united and resolved 70
sustain it to the great and inevitable endthe indepe
dence OF our young republic
Those whose fathers end brothers baT been slain IL
the cOnf ct-whosu homes have been trOyrd proper
ty plundered, fields Observation-Disclosures everwher only The
more devoted aud determined. bring you good news
from the water, too. The whole verdi is ioOh
ing on you with admiration and wonder. InGre ai
know and feel aud sympathiz3 with your uEexampl,d
achievem ants They have you without Gn army
without navy without arms, without mutations, witt
resources develop and organic aud produce them
and win victories tnat excite the warms feelings ll
your favor and command the highest respect for yy.-
| And we'll may this be- Y GU are making history tat
will embazon the highest pages OF her volumes. Ogi.
narily is born, he marres and be deJ AID thee
is au end of him. | thank God to have Eu4d my 10.
cast with yours in those days of mparghable CORY
You and your dead will live forever AM it have done
my duty, shall STARE that illustrous fate with you
could desire no higher honor fear, however, that
before remarked to you, you ara inclined TO give
more of this than | merit. have, indeed, had
man6 of two three small ships, and have done the
best l could with them in support of ths revolutJn
which still shakes our land from centre to extremity
O1e effect which has been produced by them is that
OF making 1t rare thing now to see the flag OF our
enemy doating the waters of even the most distant
SEES Their carrying trade hHs"been crippled, il not
annihilaed and their vessels passed over TO English
and French holders. Anotbec efecs is that our flag
has been carried with honor and received with respect
over nearly the whole world have carried it over
threetOurths OF the globe, and even among people in
Africa, vhcse very existence is but little Known and
nowhere have l Known it received with anything bat
respect. This is contribution the our
country | desire nothing more than that it may b.
cassed with those of yot rsoyC and others Wac lave
endeavored to do their duty. Again. thank you '.1
the compl,'. Ut you have paid me, aud beg leaya
Wish you good nigh"
During the delivery OF bis address, Captai1 .4m
interrupted by cordial applause and m-iks o. 81
probation OF his sentiments, and mOd5suy s4.Cd c.s
and after it's Close several rounds of cheers gy
in honor of himself of the famous old Sumter the Al
bama, of the State OF Alabama, etc. Inc band dls.
coursed few more airs and all present separated very
much delighted with the scene they had been happy
enough to witness.
The eerenade was a compliment paid him by tly
officers CT the First Louisiana heavy artillery, Colonel
Fuller.