Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1886-04-29
"PETTICOAT JEFF"
Is rendered a Grand Reception BY His
Confederate Sympathisers at Montgom.
cry, Aiabama-He Delivers a speech at
the Dedication of the Soldiers Monu.
ment.
MONTGOMERY, Ala, April oS.

pie. Salutes were fired and everybody
crowded around to see him. The scene on
his arrival here eclipsed that of his inaugural
reception in 1861. Houses were illuminated.
bands played, artillery boomed and fireworks
were sent of, while the shouts of thousands
added TO the welcome. The local military
companies and Gov. U'Neal and staff were at
the depot to receive Davis. From every
window the United States flag foated. His
arrival at the Exchange was greeted with
enthusiastic cheering. He retired at anv
early hour TO save his strength for todav's
ceremonies at the dedication Of the soldiers
monument. Among the crowds not collect
ed at montgomery are men from all parts of
the Union The decorations which are liberal
to prodigality are in the hands of Frank
Foster, who brings them all from Ohio. He
is wounded Yankee soldier and a member
OF the Grand Army of the Republic 1t looks
curlously enough to see him wearing his
badge OF honorable service on the Union
side while hanging bunting by the ton TO
honor the ex-President of the Confederacy
The electric illumination is also in the hands
of Northern man.
Today will ever be memorable in the his
tory of Alabama. Every locality was repre-
sented and many adjacent towns and villages
poured their entire population into the streets
AT an early hour the sidewalks were SO dense
ly packed that locomotion was difficult 1t
ralned all night and poured until IL o'clock
The hour tor delivering the addresses, bv
Davis and Gen. Gordon, was changed to =.
NJ Instead of going to the park it was de-
clded to go to the capitol grounds, and for
the speeches to be made from the very spot
where Davis took the oath of office, as Presi-
dent of the Confederate States. This change
was made because of the muddy condition OF
the park. The entire city is gaily decorated
and City Hall has the United States flag fiut-
tering out of every window. Pictures of the
Confederate generals are fastened to the out
side walls, while the names of Stonewall
Jackson, Albert Sydney Johnston, Robert E.
Lee and many other Confederate generals,
huttered to the breeze on streamers. The
capitol was beautifully decorated. From the
topmost point of the high dome, towering far
above everything in the city, floated the stars
and stripes. Private houses and business
houses all have liberal supply of decora-
tions and devices, and words of welcome to
Davis.
The scenes around Davis this morning and
the desire to see and shake him by the hand
are indescribable. People were packed in
the Exchange like sardines and it was with
They wanted to see their old President and
nothing would satisfy them till they had done
So Being feeble it was more than he could
stand and he had to retire. The military
escort formed in front of the hotel and ex-
tended far up the avenue leading to the cap
itol. carriage with four white horses was
drawn up to the door and promptly at 2
o'clock Davis, escorted by Mayor Reese
Gov. O'Neal and ex Gov. Walls, formerly of
his cabinet, stepped from the hotel and en-
tered 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. The next
carriage contained Gen John B. Gordon and
Capt. w. l.. Bragg, Miss Winnie Davis,
Youngest daughter of DAVIS, and Miss Reese,
the mayors daughter. The other carriages
followed with distinguished guests, amid the
waving of hats and handkerchiefs, booming
of cannon and playing bands of music. A
scene was presented that is rarely witnessed
in any country the demonstration being in
honor of a man prescribed by the United
States government and as tribute to the
dead soldiers of cause that was lost.
Having arrived at the capitol Davis was
seated on about the historic spot he occupied
Feb. 18th, 1861 People, men, women and
children were packed from the steps to the
front gates, forming a vast multitude. When
order had been secnred, and for such a vast
throng it was the most orderly ever seen
here, Mayor Reese advanced to the front and
said:
"My Countrymen-It is with profound
emotions that present to you the foremost
type of Southern manhood Hon. Jefferson
Davis, ex-President of the Confederate States
of America"
The scenes heretofore enacted were gone
over as Davis advanced and it was some min
ntes before he could proceed The shouts
finally dying away, Davis, leaning on his
cane with the Federal flag over him and tht
Confederate veterans before him who haC
come hundreds of miles to see and hear him
in clear, ringing voice, showing deep in
tensity of his feelings, but without tremor o.
pause, except when interrupted by the shout
of his hearers, said
INV friends. it would be vain if shoulC
attempt to express to you the deep gratifica
ton " hich feel at this demonstration. Bu
know it is not personal, and therefore
feel more deeply grateful because it is a sen
timent far dearer to me than myself. Yol
have passed through terrible ordeal of war
which Alabama did not seek when she fel
her wrongs too greviOus for further tolera
ton. She sought peaceable solution; tina
being denied her, the thunders of war cam
ringing over the land. Then her people ros
in their majesty-gray haired sires and beard
less bows eagerly rushed to the 'front.'
was that war which christianity alone ap
proved-holy war for defense. Well do re
member seeing your gentle boys, so small, T.
use farmers phrase, they might have bee
called seed corn, moving on with eager step
and fearless brow to the carnival of death
and have also looked upon them when thei
knapsacks and musksts seemed heavier tha
the boys, and my eyes partaking of a moth
er's weakness, filled with tears. These day
have passed. Many of them have foun
nameless graves; but they are not dead, the
live in memory and their spirits stand out.
grand reserve of that column which is march
ing on with unfaltering steps toward the goa
of constitutional liberty. Applause l
were in vain if l should attempt, as hav
already said, to express my gratitude to you
am standing now very nearly on the spo
where | stood when took the oath of oftic
in 1861. Your demonstration no'
exceeds that which welcomed m
then This shows that the spirl
of Southern liberty is not vet dead
TLong and continued applause Then yo
we're full of joyous hopes. You bad ever
prospect of achieving all that you desired an
now YOU are wrapped in the mantle of regret
and vet that regret manifests more profouna
ly and does not obliterste the expression o
your sentiments. l felt last night whe
coming to Montgomery, that was coming I
nv home, coming to land where hbert
dies not and serious sentiments will live fol
ever. GApplause.] 1 have been promise
| bv nv friends that should not be called o