Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1871-06-08
President Davis "Accepts Moth
ing.D

President Davis accepts Moth
ing"
Hon. JEFFERSON DAYS. was enthu.
siastically received in Atlanta on
Saturday. At night, a welcoming
speech was delivered at the Kimball
House by Gen. Darlington, about two
thousand persons attending. In re-
sponse, according to the Era, Mr..
Davis said substantially:
Looking down upon the honest
faces before La he experienced pc
'culiar pleasure as he realized the fact
that the complimentary tribute paid
to him was an expression Of senti-
ment on the part of the people Of
Georgia. Georgia had proud record.
Beginning with Oglethorpe, and CLAN
cling at the old Colonial times, the
speaker remarked that the principles
for which Georgiars fought in the
late war between the States were the
same they contended for in the revo-
luton of l776, and in the war of
1872. He felt animated and sus-
tanned by the conviction that Georgia
would yet recover her ancient liber-
ties and be a great, prosperous and
sovereign State. When first he saw
Atlanta itwas simply an old field Of
stubble. Again he saw it just after
the Federal army had swept over.it,
marking their course by a Vandalism
far blacker than anything that had
ever stained the fair fame Of Turenne
as soldier. A third time he saw it,
and then the blackened ruins had
disappeared; the evidences of desola
ton had been swept away to make
room for the stately structures which
now ornament the city. Dwelling at
some length upon the enterprise and
energy displayed by the people Of
Georgia, under so many adverse cir
cumstances, the speaker. alluded TO
the important work which the young
men, of the State had before them.
He did not propose to discuss politics.
He had shaken hands with politics,
and had done with them forever. he
trusted that every one in the audi
ence would agree with him on that
point. But while he did not care to
make apolitical speech. he felt that
he ought to express one or two opin-
ions in reference to the best policy TO
be pursued by the South. He referred
only to the present future might
take care Of itself. He dared not
say all that he would. It would be
used against the Southern people,
and they would be compelled to bear
the responsibility of his utterances.
There was good deal of talk about
[" accepting the situation, but, as far
as he was concerned, he would "ac-
cept nothingl" These miserable phra-.
ses about accepting the situation"
because our rights had been submit
ted to the abitrament of the sword
and lost, were the excuses Of ounces
and towards. No one had any right
to submit the liberties of people to
the abitrament Of the sword. The
representatives of the Southern peo-
pie had never been authorized to do
anything of the kind. AS their Chief
Executive, he had never been so au-
thorized, nor did he ever claim to be.
He did not like to be understood as
advocating resistance. On the con-
trary, he counselled submission to ex-
isting laws. He knew very well that
the conquerer was too powerful to be
successfully resisted by the South. 1t
was the duty of Georgia, and Of the
other Southern States, to keep aloof
from politics, and to attend to the de-
velopment of their internal resources.
This was all that could be done ut
present. 1t was useless for the South
to attempt to take controlling part
in the politics of the country. AS
matters now stand such action would
only delay the day Of delivorance;
He was firmly convinced, and intended
to live and die believing that Georgia
and her sister States would again be
prosperous, free and sovereign. I'm
less this was again the case the Re
public was failure. But there were
great numbers of freemen in the
North who sympathized with us.
They would never submit to be de-
prived of their liberties, 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 bal
ance of power on this continent. This
desirable result would be accomplish
ed by waiting until they 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
insurance 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 exis-
tence. Again expressing to his au.
dience his heartfelt appreciation Of
the demonstration m hi honor. Mr..
Davis babe them "good night" and
retired amidst enthusiastic cheering.
Gail Hamilton insists in recent
number of Hmper's Bazaar, that men
have no right to disiphfarilt or disown
their sons Tor any offence whatever;
that a wayward child may be separa-
ted from the other children, and his
.,or+;on roou ;f nacassarv he held in