Wessington Springs herald. (Wessington Springs, Aurora County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1891, 1886-05-14
A eALA-pAY IN THE SOUTH.

Jefferson Davis Warmly Greeted at Mont
gomery. Ala.-He E%ulogizcs the Spirit
OF Southcrn Liberty from the Spot Where
lie Was Jnaugurated i'll = 6 as Prcsi-
dent of The Southern Confederacy
MONTGOMERY, Ala, April 29.-Atan early
hour yesterday the sidewalks were so
dcnsely packed that locomotion was diff
cult. 1T had rained hard all night and the
dcluge poured dow until ten O'Clock. The
hour for delivering the addresses by Mr..
Davis and General Gordon was changed to
twop.m Instead Of goingt to thcpark it was
decided, because OF the wind, to go to the
sapitol grounds, 50 that the speeches
could be delivered from the very spot
where Mr.. Davis took the oath OF office as
President OF the Confederate States. The
entire city was gayly decorated, and
the city hall had United States
flags hutterng out OF every win
dow. Pictures OF Confederate Gen
erals were fastened to the out
side wallis, while the names of Robert E.
Lee, Stoncwall jackson, Albert Sydney
johnson, Robert +. Rodes, and many
other Confederate Generals appeared on
streamcrs. AT one O'Clock the pro-
cession formed on Commerce street
and marched up Dexter avenue to tho
capitol, where MIR. Davis delivered his adj
dress. The ex-President rode in u close
carriage drawn by four gray horses and
driven by the same negro coachman who
performed the same duties when Mr.. Davis
came here in 1861. The military followed
close behind the carriage to keep back the
enthusiastic throng OF people. AS the pro-
cession moved along the mass Of humanity
checred until their throats We're sore.
Arriving at the capitol no delay was ex-
perienced in beginning the exercises. Mayor
Reese, in introducing MIR. Davis, spoke as
follows: "My Countrymen-With emotion
OF profound reverence | introduce the high
est type OF Southern manhood, the Hon.
Jefferson Davis" Prolonged cheers greeted
the appearance of the venerable Mr.. Davis,
and it was several minutes before silence
rclgncd. lie spoke as follows:
"-Ny Count13meu: 1t would be vain if 1
should attempt to express to you the deep
qualification which feel at this demon-
suration. but know that it is not personal,
and, therefore, l feel the more deeply
grateful because it is for a sentiment far
dearor to me than myself. Applause.
You nave passed through the terrl-
bio ordeal of a war which Ala
her wrongs too grievous for further tolera-
tion she sought a peaceable solution. That
being denied her, the %thunders of war came
ringing over tho land. Then her people
rose in their majesty. Gray-haired sires
and beardless boys eagerly rushed to the
front. 1t was hat war which Christianity
alone approved-the holy WARRIOR defense"
After referring in eloquent and feeling
tones to those who had sacrificed their
lives for the Confederate cause, Mr.. Davis
continued:
1T were vain to attempt, as 1 have al
ready said, to express my gratitude to
you. l am standing now very nearly on
the spot where l stood when l took
the oath of office in 1861. Your demon
stration now exceeds that which welcomed
me then. This shows me that the spirit of
southern liberty is not lead. Immense
applause. Then you were full of joyous
hope, with the full prospect of achieving
all you desired, and now you are wrapped
in the mantle OF regret, and yet that re-
greet only manifests itself more profoundly
and does not obliterate the expression Of
your sentiment. l felt last night as l APP
preached the Exchange Hotel from tie
orator, William l.. Yancy, introduced mo
to the people of Montgomery and com
nended me in language which only his
eloquence could yield, and which far ex-
ceeded my merit, l felt, | say again, that L
land where liberty dies not, and her senti-
ments will live forever. Applause.
Enthusiastic and prolonged cheering fol-
lowed the speech, and Mr.. Davis, having
taken a seat, was forced to rise and bow to