The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1886-05-06
SAVANNAH.
THE GREAT CENTENNIAL
CELEBRATION N-EX-PRES-
IDENT DAVIS THERE.
IMMENSE CROWD - UNBOUNDED
ETHUSIASM OVER THE
OLD CHIEFTAIN.

SAVANNAH, May Sunshine, "A coudless sky and
balmy breezes were natures conlri utons wLd
making the formal opening day of the Chatham
artillery centennial slccess. Every incoming
train and boat brought visiting sOldiery and civil
ions to the city. Fully 1000 people were on the
line of route of the parade. Nearly 5000 men were
in line including crack military organizations from
all parts of the country. The column was
ceived by Gov. Mcdaniel at the park The mill
tary was drawn up, and MI Davis rode along the
line amid tremendous cheering The marching
and evOlutions of all the companies were remark
ably fine, and the display the best and most extern
sive since Shermans army came marching To the
sea.
At tine encampment parade ground this after
noon, the band contest &C ured, in which four or
ganizatOns entered.
The Bush Zouayes, of st. Louis, gave a nlagnif-
cent exhibition drill which was followed by a
dress parade in which all the companies partici-
pated Mr. Davis presence at the park marked
his only appearance in public to-day, except as his
carriage passed through the streets On several
occasions, when the vehicle stopped, hand shaking
was INDUCED in by the public Mr.. Davis made no
public utterances during the day, and passed most
of his. time quietly at the residence of II. NJ
Corner, his host.
At night banquet was given at the Chatham
artillery hall in honor of commissioned officers
visiting military and distinguished civilians
During the progress Of the the banquet, Captain
ously mentioned the fact that New York had been
overlooked in the programme, but stated he repre-
sented that great state, and moved three cheers for
JenerSOn DAVIS. Instantly every man was ON nlS
feet and cheer after cheer heartily given. The
crowd without the building caught the cOntagion
OF the moment, and taking up the cheering con-
tinued it for several minutes, while the band in
censed the enthusiasm by breaking into Dixie, an
air which provoked cheering wherever it was play
ed during the day.
MR. DAVIS SPEECH.
During the day, after the ovation had in a meas
ure subsidized, Mr., Davis spoke substantially as fol-
lows:
Car.o;n uhooto,, ,,,ou,hors of tba chotharu a p
illery and military and civilian guests: Iou have
met from many states TO celebrate the centennial
of the Chatham artillery But, sir, your organi-
cation is more than one hundred years old. The
principle of self-government existed before the
of the revolution, before the declaration OF IN
dependence, and your Georgia artillery existed and
fought for liberty before the Chatham artillery
was organized.
You celebrate the centennial of your organiza-
ton but not of the organization of volunteer sol
ders in your state Every part of this country has
sent delegates to celebrate your anniversary here.
They meet like many streams, and flow alo"g to-
gether like the waters of Georgia. You are not
confined to any section. Your streams flow into
the Gulf of Mexico, as well as into the Atlantic
The twin waters of Georgia mingle with those OF
Alabama Mississippi and Louisiana, aud with
those of Massachusetts, and New lork--,hat state
of New York, whose ships of commerce dot every
sea- the state which responds to liberal senti
ments and which knows no particular section
She comes to you to be present at this meeting
and to do yOur organization honor. This is
glorious occasion, because it represents You, as
it should. Organized after the war OF
independence, your company first appeared
suppressing domestic insurrection. Next it ap
peared In the war of 1872, and appeared in the con
flict between the states, and now 1t appears whef
peace exists between the states, and il would bC
the first to raise an arm to check invasion on th
! soil. Georgia is proud of her.
VOLUNTEER soLDIERY.
| certainly was proud, yea, thrilled, when L saw
! two days ago, a part of the jeff bayis legion
Surely no state, certainly no city GoUld haYe gQte
such military organizations together as I saw to
day. Yon have passed through the trouble, ant
| you have come out of the fiery furnace pure a
steel, which no rust can corrode The question il
often asked, "should the state have a stdndin!
army?' WHY should she need standing army
| Here is standing army of true christian men, wit
stand ready to defend their principles TO the death
| My friends, my heart has certainly been deepl,
stirred from the time | entered your state, thre
days ago, under the shield of your governor.
| feel that stand among the nOblest people, whos
deeds history has ever chronicled. speak thi
not in any idle compliment. | say it in honor o
| you
just before concluding, Mr.. Davis paid a com
| pliment to Capt. Wheaton, remarking that HI
recognized that the plaudits were to the merits o
the Chatham's commanding officer, and not to an!
| merit of his own.
Mr. Davis last words were full of feeling and
| enthusiasm
''My friends" he said, 81 suppose your gailan
| captain wished me to say few words to you. l
was an interruption of the regular order and wa
unexpected to me. thank you, my friends, TO
| this reception"
At times the speakers voice trembled with deel
emotion. lie spoke imp essively throughout ant
almost every sentence was interrupted by ap
plause. As he took his seat the guests arose a
one man, and cheered like ten thousand men, an
yelled themselves hoarse The Air was filled wit
hat and handerchefs. Glasses were filed ant
empted and the cheering did not abate. The ban
struck up 'Dixie and the enthusiasm wake
hotter. A great crowd had assemble
outside the building, they caught up tn
cheers and repeated them over and over Th
scene was certainly one to be long remembered
for such an assembly is rarely so deeply moved, 8
deeply fired with enthusiasm.