Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1886-05-01
HONORING THE DEAD.
CONFEDERATE CORNERSTONE LAY.
ING AT MONTGOMERY.
Grand Demonstration and Imposing cere-
monies-yeff. Davis's Speech TO the
Veterans end People OF
Alabama.


MONTGOMERY, Ala, April %
The Capitol grounds at IL o'clock to-
dsv presented an animated scene. The
whole hilltop and premises were Gov
cred with people. gathered TO witness
the laying of the cornerstone OF the
Confederate monument, or, as some ex-
messed il. 1.-THE official burial Of the
ronfederacy." The skies above were
cloudless. and pleasant breezes waited
the breath Of flowers from the city.
The foundation Of the monument only
was ready. presenting surface Of
tbirty.fye feet square. Near at hand
stood the cornerstone, on which, in
raised letters, was the inscription :
+" Cornerstone laid by ex-president
Jefferson Davis, April 20, 1886"
Opposite this was a large platform for
the speakers.
The procession formed in front Of the
Exchange Hotel. Mr.. Davis, his daugh-
ter, Ex-Governor Watts, and Hon.. III.
G. Tompkins, chairman OF the Com
mittee Of Arrangements, were in car
rage drawn by four white horses, each
led BY negro ir livery. The next
carriage contained General and Mrs.
Gordon, his daughter, and Mrs. Gle
ment q. Clay, and was surrounded by
the survivors Of the Sixth Alabama and
other Confederate veterans. The pro-
cession was preceded by cavalry and
artillery escort, and was further made
up Of other local military; Uniformed
Rank Knights Of Pythias, Grand Com
xanders Of Knights Templars, and Ma
sonic orders from different parts Of the
State. The demonstrations along the
route we're as enthusiastic as they were
Yesterday. The ex-President was, as
is usual whenever the people catch
sight Of him, cheered enthusiastically.
lie took his seat with the committee of
the Memorial Association. Behind him
was Mrs. Gordon, Misses Davis and
Gordon on his left, General Gordon on
his right. Ex-Governor Watts, officers
of the Sixth Alabama, and others were
on the platform. The Sixth regiment
was present also, as were the trustees Of
the Soldiers Monument Association
Colonel W. L. Bragg, Mayor Reese,
Colonel William X. Jones, Colonel W.
w. Screws. and Governor 0'Neal.
Before the services began Colonel
Bragg presented Mr.. Davis with an ele-
cant basket Of flowers from Major Boil
ifng Hall, who lives near this city.
Major Hall is a descendant of Georgia's
LYMAN Hall. lie was anoted opponent
10 secession, but had eight sons in the
war. seven Of whom gave their lives to
the Confederacy and the eighth carries
lead in him as evidence Of his devotion.
a pretty picture was witnessed when
some old soldier brought forward the
muster-roll Of the Sixth Alabama and
two ladies, Misses Gordon and Davis,
examined it with his assistance. The
old veterans standing near swelled with
qualification and psrdonable pride.
Ex-Governor Watts, the presiding
officer of the occasion, opened the exer-
cises with reference to theimportance OF
calling down the benediction Of Heaven
UPON the occasion, and requested Rev.
MIR. Andrew, pastor Of the Methodist
Episcopal church, to pray.
the OPENING PRAYER.
oh, Thou God OF Nations, we thank
Thee for the blessings which Thou hast be-
slowed upon us Ms "a people. We thank Thee
thai Thou hast led US up from small begin.
N
prosperity. and given us place among ma
irons. We thank Thee that While the
winged Angel Of Peace has driven away
from us the demon of sectional discOrd, aud
That We are to- day hand.in hand as united
people. we are moving onward TO the fulfill
ment of a grand destiny; and we thank
Thee for all the blessings which Thou hast
bestowed upon us. and especially do we
thank Thee for and prize the one that long
sgo our fat hers deemed conflict and death
"a worthy price which should be paid TO the
purchase Of freedom. aud that the grand
institution Of civil liberty was cemented
with their blood and handed down To their
children To be preserved in years TO come.
And we thank Thee that later on. when
the cloud of war swept over our land'
everywhere mer rushed To do, and to dare,
snd TO die In obedience TO the voice OF duty.
in response 10 their convictions 10 fight for
their homes and their affairs, To hight with
hope. Woman sent forth husband and
brother 10 the field OF carnage with words
and the danger OF the conflict cheerully,
that they might 10 or die.
And now our Father, we come TO 'day--
mothers " hose sOns have left their bones 10
bleach upon every embattled plain OF our
distant States. widows whose tears are stlll
falling In grief at the death OF their nus
bands. SONS of sires that bled nud died,
comrades and brethren who fell-We come
ss people to lay the cornerstone of a shaft
which IN TO rear itself TO heaven and carry
down To coming generations Tue memory oil
other day aud hcrOism and daring.
We ask Thy blessing Oh God. upon us
now. on kind God, grant that as our chill
uren look upward to the summit OF this
shhft they may gather from IL the lesson OF
heroism and devotion to duty OF those
whom it rs intended to hoaOr. We thank
Thee, Oh God, for the presence to-day In
our midst OF the chief representative OF the
cause that WAS lost amid the storm OF war
M one of those VINO mas a permanent place
IN the hearts Of his people. We thank Thee
for the example he has shown ms and our
children, OF the resolution undaunied by
danger and devotion To duty that was
devoid OF self interest-the purcst type OF
cuuiase and manhood. We thanR Thee
tha' Thou hast preserved his life so many
years Ia us and God grant that he may he
kept green and fresh for years To come. aud
the courage Of his manly heart remain still
undi imCd and undaunted. We thank
Tree that he Is with us to-day; and, OGod
IiRnt 10 spare lou MS face To cheer us-no
moe auid scenes OF carnage, but 10 give us
laihs OF peace; and We pray Thee that
The evening of his life may he flooded with
q calm and peaceful radiance, and that as
tie shadows gather at last there may la
lirht in his heart peace In his eyes. and his
brow staTlit by the grace OF Heaven.
nless us, q. God Guide us In the llue of
duty and clothe us in Thy righteousness
" q ask for Jesus sake. Amen.
Ex-Governor Watts then spoke.
SPEECH OF EX-GOVERNOR WATTS
can scarcely express to you how
proud am in having the honor Of III
reducing before you to-day the ex-
President of the Confederate States,
now known as the chief of the Lost
Cause. Before he was elected PreSi-
dent Of the Confederate States | knew
HIM simply by reputation as fear
less commander on tho field of
Buena Vista, as distinguished Secre-
tary Of War in the Cabinet of President
Pierce, and as a representative of the
grand old State OF Mississippi in the
United States Senate. After he was
l1lected President of the Confederate
States /, without seeking upon my part,
VAs selected as one OF the members Of
he Cabinet. | was therefore associated
4ilh him for eighteen months in init
nate and almost daily relations. Be-
fore knew him personally | admired
n M