Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1886-05-05
Ex-President DaYis's Speech.

The following is the speech delivered by
ex-President Davis in Montgomery, Ala,
last Wednesday:
| My friends,-It would be vain if I should
| attempt to express to you the deep gratii-
cation which feel at this demonstration;
but know that it is not personal, and there
| fore feel more deeply grateful, because it
is sentiment far dearer to me than myself.
You have passed through the terrible ordeal
of a war which Alabama did not seek.
When she felt her wrongs too grievous for
further liberation she sought a peaceable
solution. That being denied her, the thun-
ders OF war came ringing over the land.
Then her people rose in their majesty; gray
haired sires and beardless boys eagerly
rushed to the front. 1t was that war which
Christianity alone approved holy war
for defence. Well do l remember seeing
your gentle boys, SO small, to use farm
seed-corn, moving on with eager step and
fearless brow to the carnival of death; and
| have also looked upon them when their
knapsacks and muskets seemed heavier
than the boys, and my eyes, partaking of
mothers weakness, filled with tears. Those
days have passed. Many Of them have
found nameless graves, but they are not
dead. They live in memory, and their
spirits stand out grand reserve of that
column which is marching on with unfalt-
ering steps toward the goal of constitution
al liberty. [Applause.1 1t were in vain
if should attempt as l have already said,
to express my gratitude to you. am
standing now nearly on the spot where
took the oath of office in 1861. Your de-
monstration now exceeds that which well
coined me then. This shows that the spirit
OF southern liberty is not dead. [Long and
continued applause Then you were full
OF joyous hopes. You lad every prospect
of achieving all yon desired; now you are
wrapped in the mantle of regret, and yet
that regret only manifests more profoundly
and does not obliterate the expression of
your sentiments. 1 felt last night as I
approached the Exchange Hotel, from the
gallery Of which your peerless orator Will
liam l.. Yancey-introduced me to the citi-
zens of Montgomery and commended me in
language which only his eloquence could
yield, and which far exceeded my merit.
| felt. [ say again, that was coming to my
homecoming to a land where liberty dies
not and serious sentiments will live forever.
[Applause.] | have been promised, my
friends, that / should not be called upon to
make speech, and therefore I will only
extend to you my heartfelt thanks. God
bless you one and all-old men and boys
and the ladies above all others, who never
faltered in our direst need. Loud and long
continued applause
MONUMENT TO B. II. HILL-OvATIoN TO
JEFFERSON DAvIs.-At Atlanta, Ga, last
week took place the ceremony of unwilling
the monument erected to the memory and
in honor of Senator Ben. II. Hill. Hon.
Jefferson Davis was present and received
such an ovation as has never been equalled
in the South.
The statue was presented to the State by
Dr. R. D. Spalding, president of the Asso-
citation, and amidst great cheers it was I'M
yelled
Gov. Mcdaniel accepted the statue in the
name of the Commonwealth. Hon. J. c.
C. Black then delivered the Grafton, which
was mastery effort. At the conclusion
of the Grafton Mr.. Grady introduced Mr..
Davis. As he arose from his seat and step
cheers which lasted several minutes. When
silence was restored Mr. Davis spoke as fol
lows:
81 believe you have been generally ap-
prised that no address has been expected
from me. / came as one who wants to show
his respects to man, who, whether in vic
tory or defeat, was ever the same. If /
were asked to select from Georgia's history,
would take Oglethorpe the benevolent;
Troupe, the dauntless; Hill, the faithful. 1t
was expected of me, feel like I could say
nothing to the great ovation you have ten:
dered me, but I will say something about
my dead friend. His voice was raised first
and last for Georgia. When paralysed by
defeat and poverty and our people seemed
to spring back, it was his eternal devotion
to the cause of truth and justice which
gained Georgians the independence you now
enjoy. But dare not speak of him per-
sonally-from the beginning to the end he
was one on whom could place my hands
with confidence. He had nothing to ask,
but had more to give. You see what we
have suffered, and what it becomes Georgia
to resent; but my friends, ours is a day of
peace. Mr.. Hill taught us peace as we'll as
resistance. urge upon all present to OBJ
serve fealty to every promise, and loyalty
to the rights guaranteed to you under the
Constitution. May the freedom and indie
pendence such as your fathers gave you be
yours and your children's forever"
Mr.. Davis's words were received with
long continued applause, and he was forced
several times to bow his acknowledged
Miss Winnie Davis was then introduced and
was given very warm greeting. The ex-
ercises concluded with prayer and bene-
diction hy Rev DR.. Barrett.