The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-04-29
Laying the Cornerstone Of Monument Be-
ing the Occasion. and the Chief Traitor of
the Confederacy the Object of Worship
The Rebellion Declared a Holy War and
One Approved by Christianity.
Speech by Gen. John B. Gordon Eulogizing
Davis and the Exalted Purpose of the
South in Waging the War Of Secession.
IN HONOR OF DAVIS.


Speech of the Southern Idol.
MONTGOMERY, Ala, April 28-To-day win
ever be memorable in the history Of Alabama.
Every locality was represented and many ad-
jacent towns and villages poured their entire
population into the streets. At an early hour
the sidewalks were so densely packed that loco
motion was difficult. 1t had rained all night and
poured down until 10 o'clock this morning, and
the hour for delivering the addresses by Mr..
Davis and General Gordon was changed to 2 p.
NJ Instead of going TO the park, it was decided
TO go to the Capitol grounds, and that the
speeches be made from the very spot where Mr..
Davis took the oath of Office as President of the
Confederate States. This change was made be-
cause of the muddy condition of the park.
The entire city was gayly decorated, and the
City Hall had United States flags futterng outof
every window. Pictures of confederate gener-
ais were fastened to the outside walls. while the
names of Robert e. Lee. Stonewall jackson,
Albert Sidney Johnston, Robert E. Rhodes and
many other confederate generals appeared on
streamers The Capitol was beautifully deco
rated. From the topmost point the high
dome towering far above everything in the city,
doated the stars and stripes. The entire front
was covered with streamers and devices, while
there was suspended along the front columns
immense floral flags. More federal flags fcated
in Montgomery to-day than at any time since
1860. The private houses and business houses
all had liberal supply of decorations and de-
vices, and words of welcome to Mr.. Davis
The scenes around Mr.. Davis this morning,
and the great desire to see and shake him by the
hand, indescribable. People were literally
packed in the Exchange, and it was with diff
Guilty that there was entrance and exit. They
wanted to see their old President, and nothing
would satisfy them until they had done so. Be-
ing feeble it was more than he could stand, and
he had to retire. The military escort formed in
front of the hotel and extended far up the
avenue leading to the Capitol 1t was necessary
to form square in order that the procession
might move. Companies were formed and
stretched out on each side. No one was allowed
inside the lines. carriage with four white
horses was drawn up to the door, and promptly
at o'clock Mr.. Davis escorted by Mayor Reese,
Governor O'Neil and ex Governor Watts, for
rnerly of his Cabinet, stepped from the hotel and
entered the carriage. The shouts of the multi
tude as ne was seen to emerge from the hotel
were louder than ever before heard in this city.
They had the peculiar nervous jerk which char
acterized what became famous as the ssyell Of
the Southerners." the world over. The next car
riage contained General Gordon and Capt. w. T..
Bragg, Miss Winnie Davis, the youngest daugh-
ter Of Mr. Davis. and Miss Reese, the Mayors
daughter Thesnext carriage contained w. w.
Screws, Mrs Gordon, Miss Gordon. and Miss
Waller, the latter niece of Mr.. Davis. Other
carriages followed with the trustees of the Monu-
ment Association and the Governors staff. Amid
the waving of hats and handkerchefs, the boom
ing of cannon, the playing of bands and excited
shouts, scene presented rarely witnessed
in any country, the demonstration being in
honor of a man prescribed by the United States
government, and as tribute to the cause that
was lost.
When the procession arrived at the Capitol
gate, the way was cleared for Mr.. Davis, the
military being formed so as to prevent overrun-
ming the building and grounds before he had
reached the place He was seated near the his4
toric spot he occupied Feb. 18 1861 Arranged
in front was place for the press, and on the
sides and in the rear of Mr. Davis were mem
bers of various organizations interested in the
to erect on the hill Immediately north of the
Capitol. The people--men, women and children
were packed from the steps to the front gate,
and. while it was impossible for 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, for such q
vast throng, it was the most orderly ever seen
here-Mayor Reese advanced to the stand and
said:
sMy Countrymen-It is with profound emo
tons that / present to you the Hon. jefferson
Davis, ex-President Of the Confederate States Of
America
The scenes heretofore enacted were gone over
as Mr.. Davis advanced. and it was some minutes
before he could proceed. 1t was the first time
thousands in the crowd had ever seen him, since
his arrival it being impossible for all to person
ally reach him at the hotel The shouts finally
died away. Mr.. Davis. leaning on his cane,
with the federal flag over him and confederate
veterans before him. who had come hundreds Of
miles to hear and see him, in clear, ringing
voice. showing the deep intensity of his feelings.
but without tremor or pause. except when in
terrupted by the shouts of his hearers. said
"My Friends-It would be vain if I should at.
tempt to express to you the deep qualification
which feel at this demonstration But know
that it is not personal, and. therefore, feel
more deeply grateful, because IL Is n sentiment
far dearer to me than myself You have passed
through the terrible ordeal Of war; which Ala
bama did not seek. When she felt her wrongs
too grievous for further toleraton she soughr
the peaceabe solution. That being denied hers
the thunders of war came ringing over the land.
Then her people rose in their majesty, and gray
haired sires and beardless boys eagerly rushed
to the front. II was that war which Christianity
alone approves-a holy war for defense. Well
do rememb ber seeing your gentle boys, so small.
to use farmers phrase, that they might have
been called seed-corn, moving on with eager step