Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1886-05-06
THE LOST CAUSE.
Another Welcome TO Jefferson Day is
and Another Speech.


On Thursday, at Montgomery, Ala, an
immense demonstration occurred, it being the
occasion of the laying of the corner stone OF
Confederate monument, or as some expressed,
'lhe official burial of the COnfederacy," at
which Jefferson Davis figured conspicuOusly.
The occasion is made important only because
CT the homage that the people oi the south
paid to the arch traitor.
Ex-Governor Watts presented Mr.. Davis in
a brief speech The scene as Mr.. Davis arose
and srasped tae hand of his old attorney gen
eral was very effecting. 1t was some moments
before he could proceed, as the cheers were
again and again repeated. When there was
sufficient quiet Mr. Davis, after referring TO the
pleasure it gave him to lay his hand again upon
mis- old friend and adviser, among other things
said:
Associated here with so many memories,
thrilling and tender, felt that it were danger
Tor the TO speak to you as my heart would
prompt me. To avoid, therefore, anything
which might be prompted from the fullness OF
my heart, for l believe | am case-hardened in
that condition of non-citizenship which leaves
me very little to fear Applause for the pur-
pose of guarding others rather than myself, |
have prepared some notes that | might read
which would not contain anything that would
be constructively hurtful. Voices, Go on; say
what you please You are in the house OF your
friends
"My friends, partners in joy and sorrow, in
trials and suffering, | have come to join you in
the performance of a sacred task, to lay the
foundation Of a monument at the cradle OF the
Confederate government which shall commem-
crate the gallant sons of Alabama who died for
their country, who gave their lives free-will
offering in defense OF the RIG hts of their slres
won in the war of the Revolution and the state
sovernty, freedom and independence which was
left US as an inheritance to their prosperity
forever. These rights the compact of union was
formed, not to destoy, but the better TO pre-
serve and perpetuate. Whose denies this can
not have read the articles of confederation, or
the constitution of the United States. The lat
ter was formed and designed the better to effect
the purpose of the first.
sit is not my purpose either to discuss the
political que stiOns on which my views have
elsewhere and in other times been freely ex-
pressed, or to review the past, except in vindi-
cation of the character and conduct of those to
whom it is proposed to do honor on this occa-
sion. That may not be misunderstood by
such as are not wilfully blind, it may be proper
to state in the foreground that We have no de-
sire to feed the fire of sectional hate, while we
do not seek to avoid whatever responsibility
attaches to the belief in the righteousness OF
our cause and the virtue Of those who risked
their lives to defend it. Long applause and
cheers.
fha fafa oh
people, and the apothegm THAI forgiveness is
more easy to the injured than to those who in
fict the injury, has never had more powerful
illustration than in the present attitude of the
two sections toward one another.
POLICY, in the absence of magnanimity,
would have indicated that in a restored union
of the United States there should have been a
full restoration of the equality, privileges and
benefit as they had pre-existed. Though this
has not been the case, yet you have faithfully
kept YOUR resumed obligations as citizens, and
in your improverishment have borne equal bur
dens without equal benefits. l am proud of you,
NV countrymen, 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 en-
during answer, 1T commentaries the deeds of
Alabamas sons who died that you and your
descendates should be what your fathers in the
war of independence left Alabama asserted
the right proclaimed in the Declaration of In
dependence as belonging to every people. She
found that the compact of the union had been
broken on one side and was therefore annuled;
that the government of the United States did
not answer the end for which it was instituted.
and with oth,rs with like mind proceeded to
form new confederation, organizing its powers
in the language of the declaration of indepen
dence in such form as seemed to them most
likely to effect their safety and happiness. This
was not revolution, because the state govern
ment, having charge of all domestic affairs,
both of person and property, remained uE
changed. To call it revolution is gross solecism
applausel, as sOvereigns never rebel, and, as
only sovereigns can form a national league, if
the state had not been sovereigns there could
not have been a compact OF union. Applause. j
"That the south did not anticipate, much less
desire war, is shown by the absence of prepar-
alton for it, as well as by the efforts made to
secure peaceful separation. The successful
party always hold the defeated responsible for
the war, but when passion shall have subsided
and reason shall have resumed her dominion,
it must he decided that the general government
naQ no CONSTITUTIONAL power ~ COeTCe sidlt,
and that a state had the right to repeal inva-
sion-it was a national and constitutional
right" Applause
On Friday Mr.. Davis was conveyed from
Montgomery to Atlanta in great state and pomp.
The special train profusely decorated with
flags, ribbons and fewers, the Confederate
colors being cons spcuouslv displayed. At vari-
GUS points along the line there were great
shows of military. cannon, flags and blossoms.
Mr.. Davis briefly addressed the cheering
crowds, followed in each instance by General
Gordon. At Atlanta there grand recep-
ton Here Mr. Davis assisted in unwilling
the monument to Senator Ben Hill.