Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1886-04-30
THE LOST CAUSE.
JEFF DAVIS AGAIN ADDRESSES
THE EX.COAFEDERi i?Es.
Cornerstone of the Confederate
Monument Laid" Official Bur-
ial of the Confederacy."
SPECIAL BY TELEGRAPH TO THE arcoEp-usIos.l


SPECIAL BY TELEGRAPH TO THE gEcoRp-rrsIoS.
MONTGOMERY (Ala.), April 29th.-The
Capitol grounds at IL o'clock TODAY pre-
sented an animated scene. The whole
hilltop and premises were covered with
people to witness the laying of the corner
stone OF The Confederate monument. or.
as some expressed it, I" the official burial of
the Confederacy." The skies above were
cloudiess, and pleasant breezes waited the
breath OF flowers from the city. The foun-
datlon only was ready, presenting sur
face OF thirty-five feet square. Near at
hand stood the cornerstone. on which in
raised letters, was the inscriptions Cor
ner-stone, laid by ex-President Jefferson
Davis, April 90 1885, Opposite this was
large platform for the speakers. The process
sion formed in front of the Exchange Hotel.
Mr.. DAVIS, his daughter, Ex-Governor Watts
ana Hon. ii. e. Tompkins, Chairman of
the committee OF Arrangements, were in 3
carriage drawn by four white horses. each
led bv negro in livery. Next came a car
rlage containing General and Mrs Gordon.
his daughter and Mrs. Clement c. CLAW
and was surrounded bv the survivors of
the Sixth Alabama and other Confederate
veterans. The procession was preceded by
cavalry and artillery escort, and was fur
ther made up by other local military. Uni
formed Rank Knights of Pythias, Grand
Commandery of Knights Templdr and
Masonic bodies from throughout the State.
The demonstrations along the route were
as enthusiastic as they were yesterday.
Upon arriving at the site OF the proposed
monument, ex-Governor Watts, presiding
officer OF the occasion, opened the exercises
with reference to the importance of calling
down the bene fiction of heaven upon the
occasion, and requested Rev Mr. Andrew
pastor of the NJ. e. Church. to pray. His
prayer was earnest and simple Ex-GOy-
ernor Watts then presented Mr.. Davis in
bret speech. The scene, as Mr. Davis rose
and grasped the hand of his old Attorney
General, was very affecting. 1t was some
moments before he could proceed, as the
cheers were again and again repeated
When there was sufficient quiet, Mr.. Davis
said
Speech of Davis.
1t is deeply gratifying to me to be presented
to you by one Oh whom leaned for advice when
advice was wanted, whist his stern qualities al
ways made me sure that the Judgment he was
forming was from the bottom of his neart. When
you called him away the place was missing
which he once filed and have always desired
TO lay my hand upon him again doing SOL
Applause. Thus ii was when we met the other
night, after years of separation. Some people
in the room gave a sardonic smile to see the two
Old weather-beaten men embrace. But our
hearts were young, though our heads were old
Associated here with so many memories thrill
ing anu tender, have felt that it were danger
Gus for me TO attempt to speak to you as my
heart would prompt me. Not that am always
treasurlng uD bitterness against any one, but
am overtowing with love and admiration for
our beloved people. tLong applause.] To
avoid, therefore, anything which might be
prompted by the fullness of my heart for be-
heve am case-hardened in that
CONDITION OF SoN-cIrIzENsHIp
Which leaves me very little to fear lapplausel,
for the purpose of guarding others rather than
myself, l have prepared notes, that might
read, which would not contain anything that
would be constructive as hurtful. Voices ~ Go
on :: say what you please You are IN the house
of your fIiends."l My friends, partners in Joy
and in sorrow, in trials and suffering l have
come to join you in the performance of q sacred
task-to lay the foundation of a monument at
the cradle of the Confederate Government
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 ofthe Revo-
luton, and the State sovereignty, freedom and
Independence which was left as an inheritance
10 their posterity forever These rights the
compact of union was formed not to destroy, but
the better to preserve and perpetuate. Whose
ever denies this cannot have attentively read
the articles of confederation or the Constitution
of the United States The latter was formed
and designed the better to effect the purpose of
the hrst 1t is not my purpose to dwell upon
TIE EVENTS OF THE WAR.
They were laid before you yesterday by that
great soldier, in so able a manner
rs from,
Ihey were laid before you by one who, like
-Eneas, IN euIetd quorum ridi Ct RGgad Paris iii.
General John b. Gordon was soldier who,
when our times seemed darkest 1T Petersburg
was selected by his cheftain, Lee as the best
man to lead charge to 1epel the besieging
army; TO make sortic aud attack i'll flank a. d
reverse, to double up Grant S army, and, If may
say so in his presence here, he failed. But his
failure was doe TO the failure of his guides to
carry him where he proposed to go. Again,
that man and gallant soldier was one person
whOm Lee called at AppomattoS when he want
ed TO know whether it were possible to break the
line that o''sirucsed his retreat towards the
mountains 0i Virginia. lie answered that il was
impossible tigt. after four years of hard fight
ing. his division was worn down TO a fragment.
1t being then, impossible TO break the line that
obstructed his march to the mountains, Lee,
like Washington, without knowing, perhaps,
that Washington ever used the expression, said
If he could reach the mountains OF Virginia he
could continue the war for twenty years but
when he found that the line which obsiructed
Was
NOTHING To DO But SURRENDER.
Be it remembered, however that Lee was not
the man no contemplated surrender as long Us
he came TO the last moment Of surrender he
said to General Grant " have come to treat
with you for the purpose of surrender but,
General Grant, understand that Twill surrender
nothing that reflects upon the honor of my
army Grant, like 4 man. said he wanted
nothing that would have that effect, ana that
Lse might draw mp the papers himself II IS
not my purpose either t. discuss political uues-
tions on which my views have elsewhere snd
in other times been freely expressed. or Ia re-
view the p st, except in vindication OF the
character and conduct of those to whom it
is proposed TO do honor on this occasion.
That we may not be misunderstood by
such as are not willtully blind, it
may be proper to state in the foreground
that we have no desire to feed the fires of Sec
tiona hate, while we do not seek to .-Yoid what
ever responsibility attaches to a belief in the
righteousness OF our cause and the virtue of
those who risked their lives to defend il. II ong
applause and cheers. ReveEgei is not the senti-
ment OF IL chivalrous people, snd the apOthegm
that forgiveness is more easy to the injured than
to those who inilict an injury has never had a
more powerful Illustration than in the present
attitude of the two sections towards one an
other. Policy. in the absence of magnanimity
would have indicated that in the restored Union
ot States there should have been q full restora-
ton OF equality, privileges and benefits, as they
had pre-existed. Though this has not been the
case, yet you have faithfully Kept your resumed
obligations as citizens and in your impoverish-
ment have borne equal burdens without equal
benefits | am proud of you ALL my country
men, Tor the additional proof of your fidelity
and pray God to give you grace to suffer ana be
strong. When your children's children shall
ask
WHAT MEANS THIS MONUMENT?
There will be the enduring answer: at COM
memorates the deeds of Alabama's sons who
died that you and your descendants should be
what your fathers in the war for Independence
left you. Alabama asserted the right pro-
claimed in the Declaration of Independence
as belonging TO every people. She found that
the compact OF union had been broken on one
SIDE, and was therefore annuiled that the Gov
ernment of the United States did not answer
the end for which it was instituted and, with
Others OF like mind. proceeded 10 form a new
consideration, organizing its powers in the
Language OF the Declaration of Independence
IN such form as seemed TO them most likely TO
effect their safety and happiness. This was
NOT REVOLUTION,
Because the State government having charge
OF all domestic affairs, both of person and of
property, remained unchanged To call it rev.
o.ution Is gross solecism [applauseI as sover-
eigns never rebel-and as only soyereigns can
form national league. If the States had not
been soyereigns there could not have been
COMPACT of union. fAuplaIlSe That he Snt1fI