Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1886-04-29
Ex-Presidept Davis at Montgomery.

history of Alabama. Adjacent towns and
villages poured their population into Mont
gomery to take part in the ceremonies con-
rected with tho monument to the Coincide
rate dead. 1t was decided that the speeches
should be made from the very spot where
Mr.. Davis took the oath Of Office as Presl-
dent of the Confederate States.
The city was gaiIy decorated, and the
CITY Hall had United States flags llnttering
out of every window. Pictures Of Confede-
crate generals were fastened to the outside
walls, whi!a The names of Robt. II. Lee,
S.oucwall Jackson. Albert Sidney Johnston,
Robert f.. Rhodes, and many other Conled-
crate generals futtered to the breeze on
strcamers. From the topmost point on the
capitol noeted the stars and stripes. More
federal flags floated in Mont gomery than ct
anv time since 1850 The military escort
formed in front of the hotel and extended far
I'd the avenue. At two o'clock MIR. Davis,
escorted by Mayor Reese, Gov. O'Neal and
ex.Gov. Watts, formerly of his cabinet, step
red from the hotel and entered the carriage.
Amid The waving OF hats and handkerchiefs,
the booming of cannon, the play OF bands
Of music and deafening cheers, q scene was
presented rarely witnessed in any country,
pre s:ribed by the United States govern
laent, and as a tribute 10 The dead soldiers
of IL cause that was tost.
When the procession arrived ut the Cap.
itol the WAY was cleared for Mr.. Davis, and he
was seated near the historic spot he occupied
February Is, 1861. When order lad been
secured, Mayor Reese advanced 10 tho front
and said My countrymcn: 1t Is with pro-
| found emotions that | present TO you the
foremost type Of southern manhood, Hon.
jefferson Davis, ex- President Of tho Conied-
crato States Of America"
The scenes heretofore enacted were re-
peated rs Mr.. Davis advanced, and it was
some minutes before he could proceed.
The shouts finally dying away, Mr.. Davis
leaning on his cane, with the Federal flag
over him and Confederate veterans
before him in clear ringing voice, but with
out tremor or pause except when interrupt
ed by the shouts of his hearers, said:
MY Friends: 1t would be vain if should at.
| tempt to express to you the deep qualification
which l feel at this demonstration. But know
that it is not personal, ard therefore feel moro
deeply grateful, because it is sentiment far
dcarer to me than myself. You have passed
| through tho terrible ordeal of war, which Ala
| bama did not seek. When she felt her wrongs
too grevous for further toleration she sought the
peaceable solution. That being den led her, thun-
dcrs of war came ringing over tho land. Then
her people rose in their majesty and gray-haired
sres and beardless boys eagerly rushed to the
| front. 1t was that war which Christianity alone
| approvcd-a holy war for defenc. We'll do re-
| member seeing your gcntc boys so small, to use
Il farmers phrase, they might have be IL called
seed corn, moving on with eager step and fearless
brow to the carnival Of death and have also
| looked upon them when their knapsacks and
muskcts seemed heavier than the boys; and my
l. nfp MT tnr TUpuE %
with tears Those days have passed. Many of
! them have fousd namcess graves but they are
not dead. They live liz memory, and their spirits
! stand cut, the grand reserve Of that column
| which is marching with unfaltcring steps to-
| ward tie goal of constitutional lib.rty. l am
standing now very nearly on the spot where
| stood when ] took the oath OF ctico IN 1871
| Your demonstration now exceeds that which well
coined mo then. This shows that the spirit Of
Southern liberty is not dead. Long and contin-
ucd applause. l felt last night, as l approached
tho Exchange Hotel, from the gallery of which
your peerless orator, VIM. l.. Yanccy, introduced
me to the citzens of Montgomery and commend
cd me in language which only his cloquencc could
| WELD, and which far exceeded my merritt felt,
| say again, that was coming to my home-com-
ing to land where liberty dies not and serious
sentiments will 1.-Two forever. God bless you, one
and all, old men and boys and tho ladies above
all others, who never faltcred i'll our drcss needs"
II Loud and long continued applause.
When he retired shouts were so long and
loud that Mr.. Davis had TO go to the front
again He bowed his Acknowledgements end
thanks.
Gen. Gordon's speech was received with
great pleasure, and at many points he wos
interrupted by approving shouts. His
tributes to the soldiers CT both armies and
contempt for the men who would at
tempt to detract from the valor of either
received long continued shouts Of applause.
1t was then announced that Mr.. Davis
would receive his friends in the City Hall
rs soon as the meeting adjourned.
As Mr.. Davis started from the Capitol the
artillery fired a salute of 100 guns. and the
procession moved up the avenue. Mr..
Davis was carried to the City Hall, where
a general hsndshaking was ndulgod in. The
corners stone CT the monument was today laid
with impressive ceremonies, in which MIR.
Davis, Gen. Gordon and other distinguished
Coniederates took part. The Masonic fra
ternty laid the corner stone, and Mr. Davis
put the stone in place.
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