Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1871-06-01
JErrrRsoN DAVIS.
Another speech from ltlse southern
Ex-Presidemt-The Hest foftcy 70
be Pursued by the SOush. f-l

DC EuEaueO by tmt oooeH i
L ATLANTA. GA. May rs.
JEFF Davis arrived here yesterday and
met with a cordial reception. AZ night
he was serenaded at the Kimball House,
and made a speech in response. pn
being introduced Mr.. Davis was unable
10 proceed for several moments In con-
sequence of the uproarious cheering. .
Among other things he said he did
not propose to discuss politics, and had
done with them forever. He trusted that
every man in the audience would agree
with him on that point Bot, while he did
NOT care to make political speech, he
felt that he ought to express one or two
opinions in reference to the best policy to
be pursued by the South. He referred
only to the present--the future might
take care of itself. Hedared not say all
that he would. 1t would,be used against
the Southern people, and they would be
compelled to bear the responsibility Of
his ntterances. There was good deal
of talk about accepting the situation,
but as far as he was concerned he would
:" accent nothinglp These miserable
phrases about accepting the situation
because our rights had been submitted
TO the arbitrament of the sword and loS
were the excuses of ounces and towards.
No one had any right to submit the lib,
critics of people to the arbitrament oil
the sword. The representatives OF the
Southern people had never been author
lied to do anything of the kind. AS
their Chief Executive he had never
been so authorized, nor did he ever
claim to be. He did not like TO be
understood as advocating resistance.
On the contrary, he counselled submls-
sion TO existing laws. He knew very
well that the conqueror was too power
full to be successfully resisted by the
South. 1t was the duty OF Georgia, and
Of the other States, to keep aloof from
politics. and attend to the development
of their internal resources. This was
All that could be done at present. 1t was
useless for the South to attempt to take
a controlling part in the politics OF the
country. As matters now stand, such ae-
ton would only delay the day of deliver
ance. He was firmly convinced, and IN
tended to live and die believing that
Georgia and her sister States would
again be prosperous, free and sovereign.
Unless this was again the case the Re-
public was a failure. But there were
great numbers Of freemen in the North
who sympathized with us. They would
never submit to be deprived of their liD-
critics, and when they felt the danger at
home they would then need the aid Of
the South. Thus by quietly holding aloof
the South could become a political
balance of power on this continent:
This desired result would be accomplished
by waiting until they we're divided at the
North, and then it would be the policy
of the South to act with the party having
the best candidate and the best platform.
In conclusion, Mr.. Davis made a few
humorous remarks about the life insur-
ance business. He preferred to discuss
that instead Of politics. 1t would afford
him pleasure to insure the life of every
man present, and guarantee one hundred
years existence. Again expressing to
his audience his heartfelt appreciation
of the demonstration in his honor, Mr..
Davis babe them goodnight, and re-
tired amidst enthusiastic cheering