The New Orleans daily Democrat. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1877-1880, 1877-04-20
THE MOBILE EXCURSION.

THE MOBILE EXCURSION.
Since Wednesday evening the throng In our
streets and at our hotels has been augmented by
the presence of some three or four hundred
visitors from our sister city, Mobile, who came
unheralded and 80 quietly that their coming has
been scarcely noted by the city press. The occa-
sion Ia simply m excursion Of pleasure, recrea-
ton, and incidentally OF business, got up by the
Lee Association of Mobile, benevolent society
composed Of survivors Of the late war; Leaving
Mobile on Wednesday morning, number OF the
members Of this association together with other
citizens who availed themselveaof the opportu-
nifty, including many ladies--enough altogether
to fill Eve passenger coaches--took the road for
New Orleans.
Arriving at Beauvoir station, according to ar
rangements previously made, the train was
stopped, the members OF the Lee Association
were formed Ia procession on the roadside, Col.
r. M. Sands, formerly of the Third Alabama In
faRtry, acting 90 marshal, and accompanied by
many Of the other passengers, proceeded In order
to Beauvoir tho beautiful residence OF that &C.
complished Louisiana lady, Mrs. Sarah A. Dor
sey, to pay their respects to ex-Presdent Jeffer-
son Davis, who 10 now guest OF Mrs. Dorsey.
Here they were halted and drawn up in line.
When Mr.. Davis stepped forth from his quar-
ters to receive his guests he was received with
enthusiastic cheers, and was addressed by Major
w. T. Waithall, president OF the association,
substantially as follows:
Mr.. President, ue you will permit me TO ad-
dress you by title by Which some OF us prefer to
know you. and which we are not willing to aban-
don,) have the honor to present to you depu-
tation OF the
LEE ASSOCIATION
OF Mobile, a society composed of soldiers, sailors
and members or the marine corps, formerly in
the service OF the Confederate states, now band
cd together for purposes purely benevolent ana
social but whose bOud f union ID the privilege OF
having rendered service ia u common cause-a
cause the memory of which is still inexpressibly
dear to us.
Our association comprises representatives OF
almost All departments and all gra.es OF that
service; but whatever may have been our re-
spective Observation-Disclosures In positions oil conf
mand or discharging the harder and moe heroic
duties Of the private soldier; VIII Their 1t was our
lot to bear the musket, to weld the sabre, TO
tread the deck, or to perform any OF the manifold
functions OF the ttaff-we are now united in
brotherhood of common principles and common
memories; and we are united iii feeling that the
proudest, the most honorable, the most glorious,
Ii net the happiest, period OF our lives was that
period spent in the duties OF a service, OF which
While we were acting under your orders few OF
MS had the opportunity OF Cferng you any per-
sonal greeting. Your duties, and ours alike, for
babe that. We learned, at distance, as it we're,
not only TO respect your official station, but to
recognize and admire the qualities OF the soldier,
the Statesman, the patriot, by which that station
was adorned aud illustrated. But venture to
say, sir, in behalf OF my comrades, that we feel
more pride and pleasure in coming now to tender
to you In your retirement. the tribute OF our re-
epect and affection, than We could ever have felt
In the days when you were clothed d with high al-
thority. We come now, not flushed with the hope
Of winning freedom and INDEPENDENCE for the
land Of our love, not to lay Of your
feet the trophies OF victory, not to congratulate
you on material Successes but come, after long,
dark days Of disaster, defeat, calamity, TO- ex-
press to you our admiration OF the manly forth
tude, the unshrinking fidelity, the noble dignity,
with which you have borne adversely. We come
to give you assurance OF holding the first place
in our hearts, not merely because OF having been
las was said OF another illustr. GUS patrlot-hrst
in war and first in peace, but chiefly because OF
having been pre-emlnent in suffering; because
the glories OF earlier achievements have been
consecrated. purified and elnobled BY the fiery
furnace Of affiictiop crown ed by the higher glory
OF persecution noby borne, wreathed by the
halo OF q martyrdom endured in our behalf.
major W. closed with some remarks in be-
half OF the guests aud fellow passengers Of the
Lee Association, for whom he said he was not au
tn0flXeQ 10 SPEAK. uub hTtebo ne Couiu speak Iof
the ladies, and believed lie could for the r,st OF
the party, SIS sharing the sentiments which he
had expressed for bimself and bis comrades.
MIR. Davis having listened to this &c dress in that
erect, manly and martial attitude of attention.
which has been 90 often remark d in his bearing
with an emotion manifested OILY by an occasional
and hardly perceptibie culver of the lip or droop
OF the tyelid, responded in speech whi' b il
would be almost presumptucus to attempt to re-
port without his own revision. We can but give
faint idea OF it's general drift and bearing.
He said that he had expeott to say but word
of welcome 10 few visitors, and felt a. a lose
now to respond TO so unexp cted and go touching
. demonstration of respect and kindness. No
ether people in the world, he said, would be capa-
bic Of rendering to fallen chief, one who pos.
sessed no power, welded no patronage, and who
had been the subject Of so much obloquy, such
honor-so cordial, so respectful. 90 delicate that
even king might be proud to receive it BE