Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1886-04-29
ALABAMA'S OVATION.
A Memorable Day In the First Capital OF
theConfedoracy- Great Demonstration
In Honor Of Jefferson Davis.
IBy telegraph 70 the pIspatch. !

>~-~NNef&~Att.~y $500"
In Honor Of Jefferson Davis.
lBy telegraph 10 the Dispatch.l
MONTGOMERY, Ala, April 2S.--
To-day will ever be memorable in the
history of Alabama. Every locality
was represented, and many adjacent
towns and villages poured their entire
population into the streets Of Mont
gomery. At an early hour the side
walks were so densely packed that loco
motion was difficult. 1t had rained
all night and poured down until 10
O'Clock.
The hour for the delivery OF the
addresses by Mr.. Davis and General
Gordon was changed to 2 P. NJ. In
stead Of going to the park it was de.
cided to go to the Capitol grounds, and
for the speeches to be made from the
very spot where Mr.. Davis took the
oath Of Office as President of the
Confederate States. This change was
made because Of the muddy condi-
ton Of the park. The entire city is
gaily decorated, and the City Hall has
United States flags nuttering out of
every window. Pictures of Confed-
crate generals are fastened to the out
side walls, while the names Of Robert
4. Lee, Stonewall Jackson, Albert Sid
ney Johnston, Robert Z. Rodes, and
many other Confederate generals hut-
tered to the breeze on steamers.
The Capitol was beautifully deco
rated. From the topmost point
on the high dome, towering far above
everything in the city, foated the stars
and stripes. The entire front was
covered with streamers and devices,
while there was suspended along the
front columns immense Federal flags,
reaching down almost to the heads of
the speakers. More Federal flags float
in Montgomery to-day than at any time
since 1860. Private houses and bust
ness houses all have liberal
supply Of decorations and devices
and words of welcome to Mr.. Davis.
The scenes around Mr.. Davis this morn
ing and the great desire to see and
shake him by the hand are lndescriba-
BILE. The people were packed in the
Exchange Hotel like sardines, and it was
with difficulty that there was entrance
and exit. They wanted to see their old
President. and nothing would satisfy
them until they had done so. Being
feeble, it was more than he could
stand, and he had to retire. The mill
tary escort formed in front of the hotel
and extended far up the avenue leading
TO the Capitol. 1t was necessary to
form a square in order that the process
sion might move. Companies were
formed and stretched out on each side,
and no one was allowed inside the lines.
A carriage with four white horses was
drawn up to the door, and promptly at
2 o'clock Mr.. Davis, escorted by
Mayor Reese, Governor O'NeAl,
and Ex-Governor Watts, formerly
of his Cabinet, stepped from the
hotel and entered the carriage.
The shouts Of the multitude as he was
seen to emerge from the hotel were
louder than ever before heard in this
city. They had peculiar, nervous
jerk, which characterized what became
famous as the "yell of the southern
ers" the world over. The next car
rage contained General John b. Gordon
and Captain w. L. Bragg, Miss Winnie
Davis, the youngest daughter of
Mr.. Davis, and Miss Reese, the
mayors daughter. The next car
riage contained ". W. Screws,
Mrs. Gordon, Miss Gordon, aud Miss
Waller, the latter niece OF Mr.. Davis.
Other carriages followed with the trus-
tees Of the Monument Association and
staff. Amid the waving
of hats and handkerchiefs, the booming
OF cannon, the playing of bands of mu-
sic, and shouts louder than ever before
heard, scene was presented rarely
witnessed in any country, the demon
stration being in honor of man pro-
scribed by the United States Govern
ment, and as tribute to the dead SOL
diers Of cause that was lost.
The route Of the procession was
about half a mile long. The avenue is
very wide, but the crowd, when the
procession began to move, was packed
from one side to the other. When the
procession arrived at the Capitol the
gateway was cleared for Mr.. Davis, the
being formed so as to prevent
overrunning the buildings and grounds
before he had reached his place. lie
was seated upon the historic spot he &C.
cuped February Is, 1861. Arranged
in front was place for the press,
and on the sides and in rear OF Mr..
Davis were members Of various orga-
citations interested in the building of
the monument which it is proposed to
erect on the hill and immediately north
Of the Capitol. The people-msn,
women, and children-were packed
rom the steps to the front gate, and,
" lille it was impossible for a great part
Of them to hear, they stood in their
places out Of respect for Mr.. Davis and
, desire to see him.
When order had been secured-and
or such vast throng it was the most
orderly ever seen here-Mayor Reese
advanced to the front and said: my
,ountrymen, it is with profound emo
ions that present to you the foremost
ype Of southern manhood, Hon. JEFF
erson Davis, ex-President Of the Con-
ederate States Of America"
The scenes heretofore enacted were
zone over as Mr.. Davis advanced, and |
t was some minutes before he could |
,roceed. 1t was the first time that |
thousands in the crowd had seen him
ince his arrival, it being impossible
or all to personally reach him at the
lotel.
Mr.. DAvIs's SPEECH.
Shouts finally dying away, Mr.. Davis,
Gaming on his cane, with the Federal
leg over him, and Confederate veterans
'efore him who had come hundreds Of
niles to hear and see him, in clear,
ingiDg voice, showing the deep in
ensity Of his feelings, but without
remor or pause except when interrupt
d by the shouts Of his hearers, said:
Ny friends,--It would be vain if