The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1880-01-07
General Grant at Fernandina.
An ENTHUSIASTIC RECEPTI0N-THE EX-PREsI-
DENT MAKES A SPEECH, &C.


DENT MAKES A SPEECH, &C.
FEPNANDINA, FLA, January 6.-General
Grant and a portion Of his party were on
the streets early yesterday morning, a0d
walked for some time about the city. At
1880 he was escorted by the committee,
headed by General w. 5. NJ. Davis. an OFF,
Ger in the Confederate service, TO the City
Hall. which had been nicely decorated with
bunting and some tropical plants. A large
crowd OF citizens, principally colored, had
assembled.
The General. with General Sheridan, Ma
Tor Brownson, aud General Davis, occupied
The platform. The latter delivered the
speech OF welcome, saying that the people
OF the State welcomed him heartily, and
trusted his journey through the State would
be IA pleasant one, and that he would be
able to say to the people OF the country that
they need no longer distrust us-a distrust
which he thought had been born OF misun-
Outstanding and lack Of knowledge OF our
people. He referred to General Grants
visit TO the South shortly after the war. and
his report after that visit and the belief eX-
press I'd therein that the people had accept
ed the results OF the war and were at heart
loyal. lie believed that he would have no
cause to change his opinion now, and that
this visit would result in further uniting
fbe people of all sections, and that the en-
tire South held him in good esteem as their
friend. In reply General Grant said:
General Davis and Citizens OF the State
of Forda.-It affords me great pleasure to
visit this State, which do now Tor the hrst
time. / am greatly pleased with the little
have seen Of it thus far and with the COR
| diality Of its citizens. who have welcomed
me most warmly. | am very glad to see
YOU all. In the tour OF the world which |
| nave made saw only that which strength
ened me in my love OF country, and every
section OF it, from Florida to Maine. The
freedom and liberty which you enjoy
here cannot be realized by people OF
the Old World" Referring TO the
report which he made in 1866, he said that
| he believed then that the South acted in
good faith, but he saw then and sees now
| that thew were Inisled and drawn into a
course which produced results now so
greatly regretted by all. 1t was not, how
ever, their fault. Concluding he said: " We
are now united people, and no one more
| desires that we may continue so, or will do
more To accomplish that result, than N.Y.
self.n Three cheers were then given by the
| crowd for General Grant and three for Gen
| eral Sheridan.
A deputa,ion from the local colored tenn
perance societies presented an address to
General Grant, to which he responded in a
few words of encouragement. A general
! Misunderstanding then took place, after which
the party, preceded by band, marched to
the wharf and boarded the steamer Flor
ence for Cumberland Island.
After visiting the ruins and beautiful
| grounds and the graves Of General Henry
Lee Night- Horse Harry. Mrs. Nathaniel
Green, and other near relatives OF the fami-
is, the party returned to the city. On The
route home a salute was fired from Fort
Clinch.
A live eagle was presented to theGenerai'
who responded 10 the lesentation-speech
by saving that he hoped the American peo-
ple would initiate the eagle By soaring
above all sectional strife and difficulties.
To.nigh. bali in honor Of the party IS IN
progress.