Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1886-05-06

| W hSol bbOy olOOu IA lhOll RAoNNS ~
respect for Mr. Davis and desire to see
him. When order had been secured, and
for such vast throng it was the most
orderly ever seen here, Mayor Reese ad-
vanced to the stage and said:
MY country ymen, it is with profound
emotions that present to you the fore
most typa of Southern manhood. the
| Honorable Jefferson Davis, exPresident
of the Confederate States of America"
The scenes heretofore enacted were
gone over as Mr.. Davis advanced, and it
was some minutes before he could pro-
ceed. 1t was the first time thousands in
the crowd had ever seen him since his
arrival, it being impossible for all to
personally reach him at the hotel. The
shouts finally dying away, Mr.. Davis,
leaning on his cane, with the Federal
dag over him and Confederate veterans
before him who had come hundreds of
miles to see and hear him, in clear,
ringing voice, showing the deep inten-
sity of his feelings, but without tremor
or pause, except when interrupted by
shouts of his hearers, said:
"My friends, it would be in vain if
should attempt to express TO you the
deep qualification which L feel at this
demonstration. But L know that it is
not personal; and, therefore, | feel more
deeply grateful because it is ii sentiment
far deaIer to me than myself. You have
passed through the terrible ordeal Of
war, which Alabama did not seek. When
she felt her wrongs too grlevous for fur
ther toleration she sought the peaceable
solution. That being denied Ter, thuDr
ders of war caTe ringing over the land.
Then her people rose in their majesty;
gray haired siTes and beardless boys
rushed to the front. 1t was that war
which Christianity alone approved, a
holy war for defense. Well do l remem-
Der seeing your gentle boys. so small, TO
use farmers phrase, they might nave
been called seed corn, moving on with
eager step and fearless brow to the car
nival of death, and l have also looked
upon them when their knapsocks and
muskets seemed heavier than the boys,
and my eyes, partaking of a mothers
weakness, filled with tears. Those days
have passed. Many of them have found
nameless graves; but they are not dead.
They live in memory. and their spirits
stand out the grand reserve of that col
umn which is marching on with unfal
tering steps toward the goal of cOnsti
tutional liberty. Applause. 1t were
in vain if should attempt, as have al
ready said, to express my gratitude to
you. | am standing now very nearly on
the spot where | stood when | took the
oath of Office in 1861. Your demonstra
tion now exceeds that which welcomed
nae then. This shows that the spirit of
Southern liberty is not dead. Long and
continued applause. Then you were full
of joyous hope. You had every prospect
of achieving all you desired, and now
you are wrapped in the mantle of regret
and yet that regret only manifeStS more
profoundly and does not Obliterate the
expression of your sentiments. | felt
last night as | approached the Exchange
hotel. from the gallery of which your
peerless orator, Wm. l.. Yancy, intro~
duced me to the citizens of Montgomery
and commended me in language which
only his eloquence could yield.an which
6ACc6ucu lClOs Otsl dSdAu,
that | was coming to my homecoming
to land where liberty dies not and Sc
riUus sen .iments will live forever. Ap-
plausel 1 have been promised, my
friends, that l should not be called upon
to make d speech, and therefore l will
only extend to you my heartfelt thanks.
God bless you, one and all, old men and
boys, and the ladies above all others.
who never faltered in our direst need"
Loud and continued applause.
When be retired the shouts we're so
long and loud that Mr.. Davis had to go
to the front again. He bowed his act
acknowledgements and thanks.
Gov. ONeal, when it was possible to
be heard, made handsome speech, max
ing reference to the cause of the gather
ing and of the love the people feel for
the statesmen and soldiers of the South,
and introduced John B. Gordon, the or
ator selected to deliver the address. as in
Mr.. Davis feeble condition it was under
stood he could only speak few minutes.
Gen. Gordon received a grand welcome,
as many soldiers that be had comm and
ed were present. His speech was re-
ceived with great pleasure, and at many
points he was interrupted by the APPROX
ing shouts of the multitude. His refer
ences to Mr.. Davis and the grandeur of
his life, especially the scenes depicted in
Fortress Monroe, made a profound i'm
preston and brought tears TO hundreds
of eyes. His tributes to the soldiers of
both armies and contempt for the men
who would attempt to detract from the
valor of either, received long continued
shouts of applause.
1t was then announced that Mr.. Davis
would receive his friends at the City hall
as soon as the meeting adjourned. When
Mr.. Davis and the others of the escort
ing party had passed through the lines
and reached their carriages, the vast
throng dispersed. AS he started from
the Capitol portico, the artillery doomed
forth and fired salute eff 100 guns. The
same scene of cheering and waving of
handkerchiefs WIS enacted as when the
procession moved up the avenue. Mr..
Davis was carried to the City hall where
a general handshaking was INDUCED in,
the vast number of callers only permit
ting a moment to each. This ended the
days demonstration. 1t was grand
success. the heavy rain in the morning
and after the speaking being only draw
backs. Universal good humor prevailed.
There was not hitch in carrying out
the details. Fully 10000 people we're on
the streets and grounds. No political
significance attaches to the meeting. 1t
was an opportunity for thousands of
Confederate soldiers, their wives and
children to see Mr. Davis, and they came
accordingly. 1t has added largely to
the fund for building the monument