Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1886-04-30
LEES WORDS TO GRANT.


came TO the last moment Of surrender he said
to Gen, Grant: 81 have come to treat with
you for the purpose of surrender, but, Gen.
Grant, understand, | will surrender nothing
that reflects upon the honor of my army"
Gen. Grant, like man, said he wanted
nothing that would have that effect and that
Gen. Lee might draw up the papers himself +;
1t Is not my purpose either to discuss political
questions, on which my views have elsewhere
and in other times been freely expressed, or
10 review thepast eXceptin vindication of the
character and conduct OF those to whom 1t Is
proposed to do honor on this occasion.
STANDING BY HIS COLoRs.
That we may not be misunderstood by such
as are not willfully blind. it may be proper to
state in the foreground that we have no desire
to feed the fires of sectional hate, while we do
not seek 10 avoid whatever responsibility at
taches to belief in the righteousness Of our
cause and the virtue of those who risked their
lives to defend il. Long applause and
cheers. Revenge is not the sentiment of
chivalrous people and the apothegm that for
giveness is more easily to the injured than to
those who infict an injury has never had
more powerful illustration than in the pres
ent attitude of the two sections tow ards each
other. Policy, in the absence Of magnanim-
ity, would have indicated that in the restored
union of the States there should have been
full restoration OF equality, privileges and
benefits as they pre-e Xisted. Though this has
not been the case yet, you have faithfully
kept your resumed obligations rs citizens, and
in your impovershment have borne equal
DurucnS without equal Dement'S.
PROUD OF HIS PEOPLE.
l am proud of you my cOuutrymen for this
additional proof OF your fidelity and pray
God to give you grace to suffer and be strong.
When your children's children shall ask what
means this monument there will be the en-
during answer, at commentaries the deeds
of Alabama's sons. who died that you and
your descendants should be what your fathers
in the war of independence left you Ala
bama asserted the right proclaimed IN the
declaration Of independence as belonging to
every people.
CAUSE OF THE UNPLEASANTNEsS.
She found that the compact OF the union had
been broken on one side and was therefore
annulled; that the government of the United
states did not answer the ends for which 1t
was instituted, and with others Of like mind
proceeded to form new confederation, or
ganiZlng It's powers in the language Of the
Declaration Of Independence In such form as
seemed to them most likely TO effect their
safety and happiness. This was not a revO-
luton. because the State government having
charge of all domestic affairs, both of person
and Of property, remained unchanged. To
call it revolution is gross s0lecsm, APP
plause as s0Veretgn5 never rebel, ana as
only sovereigns can form national league.
III the States had not been sOvereigns there
could not have been a compact of union. APP
plause,
WAR NOT WANTED.
That the South did not anticipate, much less
QeElre. war, Is SHOWN Dy LNe absence OF pFtpd~
ration for 1t, as well as by the efforts made to
secured peaceful separation. The success
full party always holds the defeated responsi-
bic for war. But when passion shall have sub.
sided. and reason shall have resumed her do
minion, it must be decided that the general
government had no constitutional power to
coerce state, and that the State had right
to repe invasion. 1t was a national and n
stituIional right Applause. From the early
part of the century there had been prophecies
and threats Of dissolution of the Union. These
began at the North on the question OF pre-
serving the balance of power and eliminated
during the war of 1912 on the decline of their
trade, though the war was waged for the pro-
lection of sailors rights.
WENT TO THE NORTH.
In the course Of years the balance of power
passed to the North and that power was so
used that the South, despairing of peaceful
enjoyment of their constitutional rights in the
Union. decided to withdraw from it, this
without injury to their late associates. The
right to withdraw was denied and the North
made ready for war. The distant mutterings
of the storm were readily understood by the
people of Alabama. Gray-haired sires and
beardless boys, all unprepared as they were,
went forth to meet the storm ere it burst
upon their homes and their altar5.
NO LEADERS NEEDED.
1t required no DemOsthenes to arouse them
to the dusy OF resisting the INVADERS no
Patrick Henry to prepare them for the alter
native of liberty or death. lt was the people,
not bDE ltdNtTh, VINO IGSQiNtt anu htbetl. OnB
sentiment inspired all classes, vet { believe
there we're gery few who did not regret the
necessity which left them no alternative be-
tween lighting for their State or against it.
Mothers, wives and daughters cnOking back
their sObs cheered them on the path OF honor
and duty. With fearless tread these patriots,
unframed to war, advanced on many battle-
fields to look death in the face. Though Ala
bama, like NiObe, must mourn her chi ildren in
death. yet Is her woe tempered by the
glorious halo which surrounds their memory.
DEAD ON THE FIELD OF HONOR.
Formore than century after his death it is
said that Phillip Delag0ne's name was borne
on the roll OF the Grenadiers to whom he be-
lOnged. and when his name was called it was
answered from The ranks: Mort sur lie champ
d'honneur. Long, very long, would be tue
lat which would contain the names of Ala
bama's sons whose valOr and fidelity would
Justify the same response. To name a few
would be unjust to many, They are ali
therefore left where they securely repose, in
the hearts of grateful people. This monu-
ment will rest upon the land for which they
died and point upward to the father w no
knows the motives as veil as the deeds Of his
children and at the last rest ng in the land
where Justice may be rendered which may
have been denied them here.
DUTY OF THE HOUR.
In conclusion, permit me to say though the
memory OF our glorious past must ever be
dear TO rs, duty points 20 the present and fu-
ture. Alabama having resumed her place in
the Union, 10 u yours 70 iulull all tnc uhllgd-
tiOns devolying upon all good citizens seeking
TO restore the general government TO it's pris-
tine purity, and as best Ysu NAV. TO promote
the welfare and happiness OF YOUR common
country. Long continued applause
Citizens OF Alabama and ladies facing the
ladies on the standl, for 10 whatever side
you may belong 10 is your sex that has been
true always IN war aud desOation. we hear Of
the valOr and virtues aud enduring names Of
Spartan mothers. but tell me where in an the
history OF nations was ever such a spectacle
seen as was witnessed In the valley OF the
Shenandoah
OUR BRAVE LITTLE hackers.
How the tide Of war ebbed and flowed.
Sometimes the Coniederates retreated and
sometimes they pursucd. Those people VINO
claimed TO be our brethren had burned every
thing except the fences" fEX-GOv.
Waite Onterrupungl; "And they would have
burned them had they not been stone."l
Mr.. Davis turned and smilingly con-
tinued:
And why do you suppose they did not burn
the fencesY Because they were stone. Loud
applause. And yet there never WAS time
when Confederate body OF troops marched
down that valley that the ladies' did not hang
out little Confederate nags from their win-
dnws and give bread 20 the hungry soldiers.
would not speak eXtemporaueously and will
not do IT, God bless YOU, one ana all. love
you all from the bottom Of my heart and give
you thanks now for your kindness. fTrcmen- .
dous Andlong continued applause and cheers. ]
LAYING THE STONE.
Gov. Watts then turned over The rest OF
the proceedings TO the Grand Lodge OF
Masons, who were 70 lay the cornerstone