The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1886-04-30
again rep ated. When there was suf
fielent quiet, Mr.. Davis said:
MR.. DAVIS's SPEECH.

1t Is deeply gratifying to me to be
presented 10 YOU by one on whom
leaned for sdgice when advice was
wanted, whose stern qualities made
me sure that the judgment he was
drawing was from tue bottom OF his
heart. When you called him away
the place was missing which he once
filed, and l have always desired to
lay nv head upon him again doing
sol. lApplause. Thus it was when
we met the other nj hit after years of
SEPARATION. SJme people in the
room gave saIdonic smile
to sea two old weather-bea.en men
embrace, but our hearts wers young
though our heads were old. Associa-
ted here with 30 many memories,
thrilling aud tender, l have felt that
it we're dangerous for me 10 attempt
to speak to you, as my heart would
prompt me not that l am always treas
udng mp bitterness against any one,
but am ovelflo wing with love and ad.
miration for our beloved people.
Loud applause. To avoid, there ore,
anything which might be prompted
by the fullness of my heart, for 1 BE-
lieve that am Case-hardened in the
condition Of non-citizsnship which
leaves me
vRRY LITTLE TO FEAR,
[Aspplause. For the purpose Of guard
ing others rather than myself, l have
pr pared some notes that night read
which would not contain anything
which would be constructive or hurt
ful. Voice: go on and say what
you please; you are in the house of
your friends" My friends, partners
10 Joy and in sorIov, in trials and suf-
fering, l have come to join you in the
performance Ct a slCred iaik ta-day,
the foundation OF monument at the
cradle OF the Confederate Govern
ment, which shall commemorate the
gallant sons Of Alabama who died for
their country, who gave their lives
free-will Offering in defense Of the
rights OF their sires, won in the war of
the Revolution, and the State sove.
rsignty, freedom and Independence
which was left us an inheritance 70
{ lelr posterity forever. These rights
the compact OF union was formed, not
to destroy, but the better to presery
and perpetuate. Whose denies this
cannot have attentively read the srti-
cles OF confederation OF the constitu.
ton OF the United States. The latter
was formed and designed the better
to effect the purpose of the first. 1t is
not my purpose to dwell upon the
evenls Of the war. They were laid
before you yesterday by the great SOL
ditr in 80 able manner as to require
10 supple ment from me. They were
laid btfIre you by one who, like
Knus "curreta quorum vidi ct magma
Pais fui." Gen. John B. Gordon was
the soldier who, when our times
seemed darkest at Petersburg was se-
lected by his chieftain, Lee, as the
best man t. lead the charge, to repel
the besieging army, to make sortie,
and attack in flank aud reverse,
TO DOUBLE UP GRANTS ARMY,
snd il 1 may say so in his presence
here, he failed, but his failure was due
to tue failure Of his guides to carry
him where he proposed 10 go. Again,
that man and gallant soldier was the
one person whom Lee called at Appo-
mattox when he wanted TO know
whether it were possible 10 break the
line tina. obttructed his retreat toward
the mountains of Vhginia. He an
sNEred that it was impossible; tha',
alter four years OF hard fighting, his
division was worn down TO fiag.
ment. 1t being then impossible to
break the line that obstructed his
march to the mountains, Lee, like
Washington, without knowing, per-
hsps, that Washington ever uted |
the expression, said if he
cluld reach the mountains of
Virginia he c)uld continue the
war for twenty years. But when |
be found the line which obs ructed |
his retreat could not be broken he |
said there was nothing to do but su
render. Be it remembered, however,
that Lee was not the man who con.
iemplatsd the surrender OF his prin-
ciples, the power to fight or retreat,
and when he came TO the last mo- |
ment OF surrender he said to Gen.
Grant: Il have come to treat with |
you for the purpose of surrender,
but, Gen. Grant, understand, will |
surrender nothing that reflects upon
the honor OF my army" Grant, like a
mar, said he wanted nothing that
would have that effect and that Lse
might draw up the papers himself. 1t
is not my purpose either to discuss
political que S ions on which my views
have elsewhere and in other times
been freely expressed, or to review the
psst, except in vindication Of ths char.
acter and conduct OF those 10 whom
it is proposed to do honor on this oc-
casion. Tha. we may not be misun-
derstood by such as are not wilfuly
blind, it may be proper to STATE in the
foreground that we have no desire to
FEED THE FIRES OF SECTIONAL HATE,
while we do not seek to avoid what
ever responsibility attaches to the be-
lief in the righteousness of our cause
aud the rtue Of those who risked
their liveI to defend it. Loud ap-
plause and cheers. Revenge is not
the sentiment of a Christian people,
and the apothegm that forgiveness is
more easy TO the mi ured than to those
who inflcts an injury has never had a
more powerful illustration than in the
present attitude Of the two sections
t wsrds one another. Policy in the
absence of magnsmitY would have
indicated that in restored union Of
the States there should have been a
full restoration Of the equality
privileges and benefits as they had
ple-existed. Though this mas not
been the law, yet you have faithfully
kept your assumed obligations ss citi-
zens, and in your impoverishment
have borne equal burdens without
equal benefits. l am proud OF you,
my countrymen, for the additional
proof Of your fidelity, and pray God
10 give you grace to suffer and
be strong when your chlldren's
children shall ask what means this
monument will be the enduring an
swer, at eommemorates the deeds OF
SONS, who died that you
aud your descendants should be what
your fathers in the war of independ-
ence left you. Alabama asserted the
right proclaimed in the declaration OF
"a helonOinO 10 avarv