The Cairo daily bulletin. (Cairo, Ill.) 1870-1872, 1871-06-03
SPEECH or JEFFERSON DAVIS AT
AUGESTA OEORGLA.

JEFF. Davis recently had reception at
Augusta, Georgia. Hon. II. w. Hllard
made the reception speech, to which Mr..
Davis replied as follows;
My Friends AMI Fellow. Citizens Of Georgia;
q. feel that have a peculiar claim upon
the people Of Georgia. and that the people
Of this State have, also, peculiar claim
upon me. My father was a citizen OF
Georgia many long years ago, and to
him have l often listened in the days of
my boyhood as he told to me traditions Of
the great revolution. 1t was TO this city
of Augusta-this ancient old town upon
the banks of the Savannah-that my
father, then but q mere boy, came TO Join
the revolutionary forces, and enlisted be-
my father, and Of his State. Ifn 10 a
crime to feel proud Of this sire-to glory
in his devotion TO the cause Of the right
10 remember with exultation his services
in defense of liberty, then my friends, it
also is a crime TO oppose despotic cen-
tralization Of power, and uphold the right
of State to withdraw from voluntary
compact entered into for the preservation
of tho freedom of them all. If this is a
| crime. then / am q criminal, and 1t is the
! only offense Of which have been guilty.
| / repeat, Georgians, that claim to be of
Georgia descent, and | glory IN my line
age.
NOT HIMSELF, But THE CAUSE HoSoRED.
Although the distinguished gentleman
who welcomed me to your city with words
SO kindly and so eloquent has said that
you pay a tribute to me by your presence
here tonight, cannot think that he was
correct in this remark. Ii Is not II tribute
to me individually, but because you feel
that / am one Of yourselves that you come
to do me honor. And while | am fully
aware Of this fact, do not immagine that
I feel at all mortified at it, or that my van
ity is wounded because you honor me only
as the representative of ycur cause That
cause is dear to me more precious even
than life, fapplause,] and / glory in its re-
membrance.
HIS WORDS TORTURED AND MIscoNsTRrED.
Just here let me say to you that j well
know how every utterance OF mine 10
seized upon by the organs and members
of certain faction. / am well aware Of
the eagerness with which every word Of
mine is caught up, and the ingenuity with
which it is distorted and used in further |
ance Of designs upon my people, and
hence ] dare not speak to you as desire. |
Ny heart is full to overHowing God |
knows, but cannot speak. Many mem
ories Of the past are struggling in my
brain, but must be silent.
CONGRESSIONAL COMMITTEES.
Though must not speak, il Is no fear
for myself which commands my lips to be
closed. No; have been punished for my
crimes, and have experienced the worst
which could have been imposed. In the
cant language Of the day, punishment
with me is "played out" The worst that
can be done has been done, and / have no
more to fear. If speak it is not myself. !
but you, who would be injured, for, un-
fortunately, additional wrongs can yet be /
heaped upon you. Therefore If j claim
merit for anything, it will be for keeping
silent, Ny simplest words may work you
harm. If say, Goodnight, my friends,
GO to your homes" and Congressional
investigating committee happened to be
within hearing, its members would swear
that directed you to go off and join the
Ku-klux. Laughter and applause.l |
Filled with that jealousy which springs |
from the knowledge Of their inferiority,
and Of the justice Of your pretensions, and
conscious Of broken covenants and vic.
lated constitution, they mistrust every
movement, and trcmble with fear when
they think that right may again prevail.
tApplause.l
'wAIr AND HOPE"
But wrong cannot always be trium-
phant. will say nothing and you must
do nothing, even though tyranny op-
presses grievously upon you. Forbear
for season, and day will come when all |
will yet be we'll. may not, nor may |
some of you live to see it, but il is surely
coming [Applausel He who reigns
above and lives always, will see that jus.
tice Is done. He will not allow the wicked
10 always remain in power, nor the right
eous to be oppressed. We can wait until that
day comes, and in the meantime be quiet.
'Tis an old and wise saying, that good
biting dog never barks much. II We wait
patiently q sense of justice will yet return
to the people of the United States or an
opportunity will come when our rights
can be gained, and not only our rights
the rights of the South-bus the rights of |
all the people; the rights which were
fought for and obtained at the point of the |
sword in the first revolution. lApplause.1
CONCLUSION.
But, though l cannot and should not
speak, fear that where the mind and the
heart are both so full, that will not be
able to restrain my words. cannot
think one thing and say another, and un-
less the honest emotions of my soul can be
expressed, do not care to speak. thank
you. gentlemen, for your kindness, and
feel deeply touched at its exhibition. May
God foster and preserve you. II ever the
day comes when can speak freely, will
be among you, and say to you all that is In
my heart. Till then, farewell, and may
the Great God be with you always. APP
plause,
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