Reporter and farmer. [volume] (Webster, Day County, Dakota [S.D.]) 188?-1946, 1886-05-06
4 sneerh BY Isnsr.on paws.

Jefferson Davis visited Montgomery,
Ala, few days ago, and was accorded
grand ovation. A dispatch says More
federal flags float in Montgomery than at
any time since 1860. The scenes around
Mr. Davis, and the great desire TO see and
shake him by the hand, are iudescrlbable.
Amid the waving OF hats and handker-
chiefs, the booming of cannon, the playing
OF bands OF music, and excited shouts,
scene was presented rarely witnessed IN
any country.
Mr.. Davis, leaning on his cane, with the
federal flag over him and Confederate vet
ems before him, who had come hundreds
OF miles to hear and see him, in clear
ringing voice, showing the deep intensity oil
his feelings, but without a tremor or pause,
except when interrupted by the shouts oil
his hearers, said:
MY friends, it would be vain il should
attempt to express to you the deep gratifi-
cation which feel at this demonstration.
But / know that it is not personal, and
therefore | feel more deeply grateful, be-
cause il is d sentiment far deareT 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
the peaceable solution. That being denied
her, thunders Of war came ringing over the
land. Then her people rose in their maies-
ty. Greyhaired seers and beardless boys
eagerly rushed to the front. 1t
was that war which Christianity
alone approyed-a holy war for de
Tense. Well do remember seeing your
gentle boys, SO smart--to use farmers
phrase-they might have been called seed
corn, moving on with eager step and fear
lsss 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, filed 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, the grand reserve OF
that column which is marching on
with unfaltering step toward the
goal of constitutional liberty. Zap
plause 1t were in vain il | should at
tempt, as / have already said, to express
my gratitude to you. | am shading now
very nearly on the spot where stood when
j took the oath of office in 1861. Your
demonstration now exceeds that which
welcomed me then. This shows that the
SPIRIT OF SOUTHERN LIBERTY
is not dead [Long and continued APP
plausel Then you were full OF joyous
hopes. You had every prospect OF achiev-
ing all you deserved, and now you are
wrapped IN the mantle Oh regret anu ye1
that regret only maniiests more profound
ly and does not obliterate the expression
Of your sentiments. ] felt last
night as l approached the Exchange
hotel, from the gallery Of which
your peerless orator, William l..
Yancy, introduced me TO the citizens OF
Montgomery and commended me in Ian
gusse which only his eloquence could yield,
and which far excelled my merits, felt,
say again, that was coming to my home,
coming to land where liberty dies not
and serious sentiments will live forever.
fApplause.l / have been promised, my
friends, that shall not be called upon to
make a speech" and therefore | 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.l