Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1885-01-27
THE BELL AT NEW ORLEANS
Ex-President Davis Greets it at Beau.
vOir-At the Exposition.

Ex-President Davis Greets it at Beau
VOir-At the Exposition.
NEW ORLEANS, Jan 26.-To-day was a
great day for the Exposition. Extensive
preparations had been made for the reception
of the famous Liberty bell from Philadelphia.
Among other eminent persons invited to
take part in the proceedings was jefferson
Davis, who met the special train bearing the
bell at his home, at Beauvoir, Miss, and
made brief speech there. A large num-
Der OF citizens of New Orleans and PhiIa-
delphia also met the train 1T that point.
ana all came together TO this city, where
the streets were lined with people for miles
The car bearing the bell having been received
on the standard gauge tracks at Elvslan
Fields street steamed along the levee about 4
O'Clock, ana much enthusiasm was shown.
Salutes were fired, whistles blown and flags
displayed on the shipping. A grand reception
had been arranged to take place in the Music
nan OF the main exposition building, but
several unforeseen DELAYS occurred and il
was found necessary to postpone the recen-
ton ceremonies until Wednesday afternoon.
Music Hall was packed with people The
weather To- DAY has been very fine and the at
tendance at the exposition was the largest
since the opening The Philadelphia com
mandery returned home tonight
AT THE BEAUvOIR DEPOT,
When the train bearing the bell drew up at
beauyOlr, at about O'Clock, among the large
crowd assembled at the station was Varina
DAVIS Hayes, little grandchild OF JeffprsOn
Davis. AS soon as the train stopped gentle
man caught the child in his arms and lifted
her to the bell, which she warmly clasped
exclaiming: "GOd bless the dear old bell p'
The incident was greeted with cheers. which
had not entirely subsided when Mr. Davis
himself drove up with an escort of gentlemen
VINO had been sent for him. Upon his arrival
Frank Bacon, United States Commissioner Of
Kansas. and President of the Committee
greeting him said:
MR.. DAvIs-In behalf of the Association
of the United States Commissioners repre-
senting the different States and Territories
of our common country, joined by great COM
mon industries, and representatives of vari-
Gus military organizations throughout the
Union, we extend to you a cordial invitation
TO JOIN US in escOrtiDg to New Orleans and to
the exposition ground the old Liberty Bell so
generously loaned us by the City of Brotherlv
Love. AS the bell in its yIgor proclaimed
liberty throughout the land, and its sentiment
was "peace on earth and good will to men,"
and as history ever repeats itself, we believe
It's visit to the South will be an ehectuaI
means of burying all sectional strife we
hope, Mr.. Davis. that your engagement will
allow you to accompany us on this excursion
to the exposition grounds to aid us in the re-
ceptlon OF the bell"
MR.. DAVIS REPLY.
Mr.. Davis responded as follows: 81 feel
most deeply cOmplimented bv this recention
lL.
sick in bed when this notice reached me and
L Immediately rose when 1 heard that that
glorious old bell was at the station. / thank
you and your association, and trust that your
antlclpatlOns Of the harmonizing tendencies
OF this journey of the bell across the States
OF the Union, some of which had not sprung
into existence when its tone first filed the
air, may in every respect be fully realized. |
think that the time has come when reason
should be substituted for passion and
when men who have fought in support
Of their honest convictions should do justice
to each other. You, sacred organ that gave
voice to the prOudest declaration that hand
full of men ever made, when they faced the
greatest military power on the globe, when
that handful of men declared to ali the world
their inalienable rights, and staked life,
liberty and prosperity in defense of this de-
claratlon-then it was with your clear tones
that you sent notice to all VINO were willing
was at hand when every patriot must do a
patriots duty. Glorious old bell The son
OF a revolutionary soldier bows in reverence
to you. Worn by time, but increasing in sa-
cred memories. Mr.. President, accept my
thanks, which are heartfelt and sincerely
given -