Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1885-02-17
HOW A PHILADELPHIA SAW
Mr.. Davis Pay His Respects to "thC
Dear Old Boil"

Mr.. Davis Pay His Respects to 1.-THE
Dear Old Boil"
Some 20 miles from New Orleans, said
Philadelphia Alderman to a NelgS re-
porter, our train was halted at little
way station entitled ''Beauvoir," and we
were informed that a special was coming
from that city with its Mayor and Coun-
Gil, together with the chief managers of
the exposition, to receive and accompany
us to our destination. Learning that
jefferson Davis lived in the neighborhoOd,
we began to suspect that our stoppage
here was connected in some way with
that gentleman, and, as we enjoyed
the lovely spring day on the little
platform, this became confirmed by hear
ing some among the very few loungers
about eXclaim: "Here comes President
Davis" Looking up sandy road that,
passing a swampy piece Of ground in the
vicinity, disappeared into a woods, we
saw a tall, thin, white bearded man, in
slOuched hat, driving a horse and buggy
in our direction. to whom alone the eX-
clamation could have been directed. AS
he drew up the expected train arrived,
and In a moment or two the platform was
filled with military company dressed in
complete Continental costume, and with
no end of civic and exposition authorities.
The car, with the Ebell' exposed to
view, surrounded by its ratings only,
and guarded by our three policemen, who,
by their great height and handsome uni
forms had attracted much attention and
remark from admiring crowds, was di-
rectly alongside of the platform upon
which Mr.. Davis was now standing. The
old bell that for so many generations had
rested TRANQUILITY in Independence Hall,
silenced by gaping wound, insignificant
in its proportions and almost forgotten by
the people among whom it dwelt, was
now, more than 1000 miles from
home, looking down upon a
scene that awakened the most painful
emotions aud suggestive memories, and
in which it was the potential actor. The
chairman of the committees of the Board
of Managers of the exposition approached
Mr.. Davis and in few words requested
him to accompany that GLORIOUS old belp
Indicating it with his hand to the
Worlds Exposition as an evidence that
ali sectional differences were ended, or
words of that import. Mr.. DAVIS, whose
head hung upon his breast, raised it and
gaZed upon the bell without speaking for
a moment, and perfect silence reigned.
Remembering the man and his course
during all these years, the writer of this
wondered how he would reply, and the
uncertainty of all was indicated by the
intense quiet. You have doubtless read
the exact words of his short answer,
which indicated that the stubborn will
had succumbed to the inevitable, and
that the last vestige Of the ambitions of
the past had been swept away by the pro-
gressive current of the present. GAS the
son of Revolutionary sire
l cannot refuse to honor that
| bell" he said; but it was not as
son of a Revolutionary sire, but as son
of the South, that he submitted to its
overwhelming sentiment for absolute
peace and good will between the sections.
So the ''Old Liberty Belp' went on it's
way with the chief of the Confederacy that
threatened the Union 1t had rung in more
than 100 years ago as its captive. The
entrance into New Orleans was q sur
prise even to us who had been seasoned
to outbursts Of popular enthusiasm by
the experiences of every hour of our
Journey.