The Sumter watchman. [volume] (Sumterville, S.C.) 1855-1881, 1871-06-14
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PRESIDENT DAVIS GA C C e p II >
NOTHING.o


siastically received in Atlanta on Satur-
day. At night, welcoming speech
w.s delivered ut the Kimball House by
Gen. Goringtob, about two thousand
persons attending. In response, accord
ing to the Era, Mr.. Davis said SUBJ
stantially:
Looking down upon tie honest faces
before him he experienced peculiar
pleasure as he realized the fact that the
complimentary tribute paid to him was
an expression Of sentiment on the part
of the people of Georgia. Georgia had
a proud record. Beginning with Ogle.
thorpe, and glancipg at the old Colonial
times, the speaker remarked that the
principles for which Georgiaus fought
in the late wor between the States were
the same they contended for in the revo.
luton of l776, aud in the war Of 1872.
He felt animated aud sustained by the
conviction that Georgia would yet re-
cover her ancient liberties and be a great,
prosperous and sovereign State. When
first he saw Atlanta it was simply an old
field Of stubbc. Again he saw it just
after the Federal army had swept ever
1t. marking their course by Vandal-
ism far blacker than anything that had
ever stained the fair fame Of lurenne as
a soldier. \ third time he saw it, aud
then the blackcued ruins had disappear
ed; the evidences Of dcsolation had been
swep, away to make room for the stately
structures which now ornament the city
Dwelling at some length upon the enter
prise and energy displayed by the people
Of eorsia, under SO many adverse cir
cums,ances, the speaker alluded to the
important work which the young men
of the State had before them. lie 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 audience would
agree with him on that point. But
while he did MT care to make politi-
cal speech, he felt that he ought to
express one or two opinions in reference
to the best policy to be pursued by the
South. lie referred only to the present
the future might take care Of itself
lie dared 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 utterances.
There was good deal of talk about
accepting the situation," but, as far as
he was concerned, he would "accept
nothing" These miserable phrases
about "accepting the situation" because
our rights rad been submitted TO the
abitrament OF the sword and lost, were
the excuses of Ounces and towards. No
one had any right to submit the liber-
ties Of people to the abitranent OF 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. lie did not like to be
understood as advocating resistance.
On the contrary, he counselled submis-
sion to existing laws. He knew vc,y
we'll that the conqucrer was too power
ful to be successfully resisted by the
South. II was the duty OF Georgia, aud
of the other Southern States, TO keep
aloof from politics, aud TO attend to the
development Of their internal resources.
This was all t.at could be done at
present. l, was useless for the South
TO attempt to take controlling part in
the politics Of the country As matters
nov stand such action would only delay
the day of delivercnce. He was firmly
convinced, and Intended 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 Republic vas failure.
But there were great numbers OF tree
men in the North who sympathize with
us. They would never submit to be de-
priyed 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 political balance of power on
this continent. This desirable result
would be accomplished 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
aud thebe>, platform.
In conclusion, Mr. Davis made few
humorous remarks about the LIE ;n-
su,ance business. lie preferred to dis.
Gus that instead of politics. 1t would
aG. ii him pleasure to insure the life OF
evcry man rreseut, and guarantee one
hnaired years existence. Again ex-
prc>>in. to his audience his heartfelt
appreciation of the demonstration in his
lpaor Mr.. Davis hadc them "good
night" aud retired amidS. enthusiastic
cheering.
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