The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1871-06-02
JEFFERSON DAVIS.
His Southern Tour-H0w He Looks
His Speech at Augusta, Ga.

The central figure of the group is a
tall but thin man, straight as an arrow,
and with more the port and bearing of
soldier than a statesman, though his
manners are most winning and graceful,
and every conner is Immediately put at
his ease. A handsomely shaped head,
covered with thick iron gray hair
(strange this is, for few men in America
sport natural hair after -fifty). The
face is thin and narrow, and the cheeks
are sunken somewhat, but the fore.
head is high and intellectual, and the
nose, slightly aquiline, is delicately
chisseled. The lips, drawn rather
closely together, denote the extraor-
binary firmness characteristic of the
man. The chin is covered with beard,
and in addition to a goatee, he has al
lowed beard to grow upon his cheeks,
and closely trimmed mustache is sport
ed upon the upper lip. The beard is
like the hair, "a sable streaked with
silver" The hands are narrow and
symmetrical and the fingers tapering
and aristocratic His whole appear
ance denotes the highest nerv GUS organ
ization, combined with a wonderful
quantity of brain power. Always unos-
tentatious in his attire, Mr.. Davis wore
last night neat but unpretending suit
of gray, the color reminding one of the
cloth worn by the soldiers Of the "lost
cause.
At Augusta the ex-President OF the
Southern Confederacy delivered the fol-
lowing speech, in response to serenade,
from the balcony Of the Planters Hotel /:
feed that | have a peculiar claim
upon the people of Georgia, and that
the people OF this State have also a
peculiar claim upon me. Ny father
was a citizen Of Georgia many long
years ago, and to him have | often
listened in the days Of my boyhood as
he told me traditions ofthe great Revo-
luton. 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 Revolu'
tionary forces, and enlisted beneath the
American flag. l am proud Of my
father and pround Of his State. 1fit is
crime to feel proud of this sire-to
glory in his devotion to the cause of the
right-to remember with exultation his
services in defence Of liberty, then my
friends, it is also a crime to oppose a
despotic Capitalization Of power, and
uphold the right of State to withdraw
from a voluntary compact entered into
only for the preservation Of the freedom
of them all If this is crime then |
am a criminal, and it is the only offence
of which / have been guilty. ] repeat,
Georgians that I claim to be of Georgia
descent, and l glory in my lineage.
Although the distinguished gentleman
who welcomed me to your city with
words so kindly and so eloquent has
said that you pay tribute to me by
your presence here tonight, / cannot
think that he was correct in this re-
mark. 1t is not tribute to me indivi-
dually, 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 imagine that | feel
at all mortified at it, or that my vanity
is wounded because you honor me only
as the representative Of your cause.
That cause is dear to me-more preci-
Gus even than life (applause), and l
glory in its remembrance.
Just here let me say to you that |
well know how every utterance Of mine
is seized upon by the organs and mem.
bers of a certain faction. am we'll
aware of the eagerness with which
every word of mine is caught up and
the ingenuity with which it is distorted
and used in furtherance OF designs upon
my people, and hence dare not speak
TO YOU as desire. My heart is full to
Overlooking, God knows, but | cannot
speak. Many memories Of the past are
struggling in my brain, but must be
silent
Though | must not speak 1t Is no
fear for myself which commands my
lips to be closed. No, | have been
punished for my crimes and have ex-
perienced the worst which could be
imposed. In the cant language OF the
d,y, punishment with me is played
out" The worst that can be done has
been done, and I:have no more to fear.
If speak it is not myself, but you who
will be injured, for, unfortunately, ad-
dtional wrongs can yet be heaped upon
YOU. Therefore, if claim merit for
anything, it will be for keeping silent
My sim plest words may work you harm.
If say, Good night, my friends 60 to
your homes" and Congressional IN
vestiga,ing committee happened to be
within hearing, its members would
swear that | directed YOU to go off and
Join the Ku .Klux. daughter and APP
plause.) Filled with that jealousy
which springs from the knowled &c OF
their inferiority, and Of the justice of
your pretensions, and conscious OF
broken covenants and violated constl-
tuition, they mistrust every movement
and tremble with lear when they think
that right may again prevail Gap
plause.)
But wrong cannot always be trl-
umphant. will say nothing and you
must do nothing, even though tyranny
Expresses grievously upon you. Forbear
for a season, and day will come when
all will yet be we'll. / may not, nor
NAV some Of you live to see it, but it is
surely coming. Applause. He who
reigns above and lives always VIII see
that justice is done. He will not al
low the wicked to always remain IN
power, nor the righteous to be op'
pressed. We can wait until that day
CONES, and in the meantime be quiet.
| lis an old and wise saving that 8 good