Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1873-08-22
SOUTHERN HISTORICAL ASSO.
CzAT7ON-.SPEECH OF JET.
PERSON DAVIS.

This Historical Association, the mem
bers Of which included nearly all the dis.
tinguished generals Of the Confederate side,
and gentlemen Of prominence from every
Suothern State, including Elk President Davis
of Mississippi, has just closed four days
session at the Montgomery White Sulphur
Springs. The permanent officers of the
association elected are Gen. EARLY, Presi-
dent Ex-senator R. NJ T. Hunter, Vice
President ; and Ex-Secretsry of Virginia,
George Wythe Munford, Secretary Dur
ing the session, Admiral Semmes made a
most sensible speech showing the necessity
Of the association to the preservation Of the
records Of the whole American people. 10
England, once rent by civil war, no one
thinks to-day, of the white and red roses
apart, but of the history Of the English ma
ton. So, he thought would be the case
with this great nation which would remem-
Der the great deeds of the late war CD
both sides, recorded in history without re
memboripg the hatreds of to-day: Ex-Gov.
Letcher, who is in possession of as much
history Of the late war as perhaps any ma n
living was prominent member of the asso
citation.
Before the Association adjourned to meet
at Richmond next year, Ex.President Davi,
madea speech in reply to welcome by Elk
Gov. Letcher, the presiding officer. Gov L.
said
As the organ of this Convention it is my
pleasure as well as my duty Mr.. Davis, to
give you a hearty weleome-a welcome to
the donors, the affections, and inequalities
of Virginia
Mr.. Davis responded Il am deeply
thankful for your kind welcome. feel at
home in Virginia She gave her bosom to
be torn by all the horrors Of war, and her
sons and her treasure for the cause, and
look upon her 9untains in their peaceful
grandeur, her verdant wales ard her mate,
rial weal th yet, above all, her men excel
her soil, and her women excel her men,
Fresh in my memory is the devotion and
self.sacrifce of her noble women. When
the Shenandoah Valley was laid 10 waste,
the fair women whose hands had never nown
an hours toll, labored for the support and
the comfort of the army. am most happy
to know the cause for which we have cou-
yened. Much time has passed away many
Of the participants have been called to their
fathers. It is hard for those whose heart
we're in the cause to think of those day
without feeling their mothers softness CON.
ing to their eyes We have been chestec
rather than conquered. and could we hav
foreseen the results of the surrender
would have been free to-day The time ha-
come for us to vindicate the truth for the
sake Of the unrecorded dead who fought TO-
truth aud died in pAtriotIc cause W.
must collect the material for the future his
torian It may have been well to wait w
til passion and feeling should subside, but
we should delay no longer. Do We not
see decadence in all that makes people
great and happy Therefore the highest
duty is on us. I have received a letter from
gentleman in Massachusetts, in which he
wrote: 'Our people owe you debt Of
gratitude for maintaining those principles OF
constitutional liberty on which the safety OF
q the country depends and which would have
been lost sight of but for your struggle
"Ladies, [ have often said, in you was
my greatest hope for the future ofour coun.
try. I have never seen southern woman
who had been reconstructed. The men OF
this day may yield the principles for which
they contended, but the children who sue.
coed them will cherish and perpetuate them
"Gentlemen of the Society, may your
steps ever be onward and upward [ urge
you to all diligence and fidelity. You must
succeed with the era d old EARLY at your
head, whose brave heart never failed or fal.
tered, and who had the manlness, whether
in foreign land or On his native soil, to as
sert the glorious principles for which he so
nobly struggled"
Mr.. Davis took bis seat amid great ap-
plause. He spoke with all his accustomed
grace and elegance, and while be showed
deep feeling, he uttered 90 sentiment Of hos
tility to the Government, but only evinced
deep and earnest devotion to constitutional
principles.
AT the conclusion of Mr. Davis's speech
the Convention adjourned sane die.
The RAILROADS IN THE VALLEY. - Our