The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1886-04-28
AL NEIERAN MKMRERs

Alabama regiments,
ALL VETERAN MEMBERS
of Gen. John b. Gordon's former com
mand, numbering about sevensy-five,
and detachments of the several mill
tary companies of tue Alabama State
troops, to receive and escort Gen.
Gordon, the orator of the day, to
Montgomery. They arrived mt the
depot with Gen Gordon and party
at 7:l5, and were greeted with a salute
by Clisby's field artillery. Sew.
eral o her military companies had as
sembled, including artillery, cavalry
and infantry, who, with thousands
of citizens, awaited the arrival of the
train bearing Mr. Davis and the COM
mittee. Meantime Gen. Gordon was
escorted into the Union Depot Hotel,
and presented to the Governor and
staff, and was welcomed by Alderman
Watts, Gen. Gordon replying. The
train pulled in on schedule time, hay
ing made most Of the time, eight miles
in nine minutes. The jam was simply
immense, but the best of order and
decorum prevailed, except
THE UNBoUNDED ENTHUSIASM
of the multitudes as Mr.. Davis and
the committee alighted from the
special car. A guard of honor was
awaiting the distingu shed guests of
the city. Gov. O'Neal addressed Mr..
Davis in short but well-timed well
coming speech, after which the guests
aud committee were driven up Com
merce street, escorted by all the mill.
tary ant citizens. The streets were
literally jammed with people, who
shouted themselves hoarse, and
no warmer or more genuine
welcome was ever extended to
any party than Messrs. Davis
and Gordon received. The whole
route along was literally ablaze with
bonfires, ecric lights, lamps, trans
parencies and endless bunting, which
extended throughout the city. Upon
arriving at the Exchange Hotel,
Messrs. Davis and Gordon were es-
corted TO their rooms, Mr.. Davis being
somewhat fatigued from the trip but
in apparently fair hea tn.
Mr.. DAVIS
arrived about s o'clock. Popular in
terest in his visit was sbundantly
man tested along the road. Every
where crowds, both white and black,
gathered at the train and clamored for
a sight OF the venerable Traveller. Mr..
Davis took stand on the platform of
the car, and cordially shook the hands
of the people as they passed
across. There were many
children in the crowds
and he always took especial notice of
them even in the short time allowed.
At the depot here drzens OF old per.
sonal friends crowded around him and
shook his hand. Mayor Reese, the
chairman, and several other promi.
neRt members of the Monument AS
sociation, had him in charge, having
gone to Beauvoir for him.
GENERAL GORDON
said: This gathering and greeting is |
all the more appreciated because it |
touches tender chord within me
Well do / remember the day we
marched up the streets of this city
when we should strike for the inde- |
pendence for which our sons after us
bled. Well do remember the
eloquent utterances of her sons
at that time, and better |
still do l remember the rec 1rd |
with the swords of her sons, written
with their blood in the pages of our
history. Oh, my friends, the boon for
which ! strOve know that have
here. 1t is welcome place and a
home in the hearts of these men who
were with me in the hour of trial.
Loud and prolonged applause /
want simply to tell you that for my
self l want nothing. But there is one
to whom we owe all that people
could owe to man. Whatever may be
the solicited effect of it at the North,
my countrymen, it was all that your
manhood and all that your humanity
had to prize and demand of us; that
henceforth, as long as he shall live, we
shall seek to make smooth and soft with
the roses OF affection the thorny path
which he has so long trodden. fGreat
There is no political sig
but il they choose to make it
so, let it come. For one, l have to say
that the political preierment or political
successes bought at the cost Gf your
manhood ought to be scorned. You
owe it to that man, and we will plant
flowers in his pathway and yield to
him the homage OF our hearts 60 long
as he may live. The train that brings
this distinguished man among us now
comes, aud together let US welcome
him with open arms.
Heavy rain did not dampen the en-
Lhusiasm.