St. Landry democrat. (Opelousas, La.) 1878-1894, 1886-05-15
q natural and constitutional right. [Ap-
p

.
From the early part of the century there
had been prophecies and threats of a disso
luton of the Union. These began at the
North on the question on preserving the bal
ance of power and eliminated during the
war of 1872 on the decline of their trade,
though the war was waged for the protec
ton of sailors rights. In the course of years
the balance of power passed to the North.
and that power was so used that the South,
despairing OF the peaceful enjoyment Of
their constitutional rights In the Union, de-
cided to withdraw from it; this without in
jury to their late associates. This right to
Withdraw was denied, and the North made
ready for war.
The distant muttering of the storm was
readily understood by the people of Ala
bama. Gray haired sires and beardless boys,
all unprepared as they were, went forth to
meet the storm ere it burst upon their
homes. 1t required no Demosthenes to
arouse them to the duty of resisting the in
vaders; no Patrick Henry to prepare them
for the alternative of liberty or death" 1t
was the people; not the leaders, who re,
solved and acted. One sentm ent inspired
all classes. Yet 1 believe there were very
few who did not regret the necessity which
left them no alternative between fighting for
their State or against it. Mothers, wives and
daughters. choking 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
Though Alabama, like Niobe, must mourn
her children in death, yet is her woe tenn
peFeu by lHe SiOIlOuS lldlO WHICH surrounds
their memory.
For more than a century after his death it
is said that Philip Devalosne's name was
borne on the roll Of the grer aders to whom
he belonged, and when his saame was called
1t was answered from the ranks: Mort sur
.echau'p d'homneur. Long. very long.
would be the list which would con.
valor and fidelity would Justify the
same response. To name few would be
unjust to the many. They are all, there
fore, left where they securely repose in the
hearts of q grateful people. This monument
will rest upon the land for which they died,
and point upward to the Father W no knows
the motives as we'll as the deeds of his chill
dren, and to them at least resting in the land
where that justice may be rendered which
may have been denied them here.
In eo mel permit me TO say that
must ever be dear to US, duty points to the
present and the future. Alabama having
resumed her place in the Union, be it yours
to fulfill all the obligations devolving upon
all good citizens seeking to restore the Gen
ernl Government to its pristine purity, and
as best you may to promote the welfare and
happiness OF your common country. Long
continued apDiause.I
Citizens of Alabama and ladies' ttu-ning to
the ladies on the PLATFORM, for to w lAtever
side you may belong, it is your SCI lrlt has
been true always in war and dcanlarIon. We
hear of the yalor, and virtues, n en- !nrng
name of the Spartan mothers, It tell me
when in all the history of nations was eve.
SuCn q spectacle seen as was witnessed IN
the valley of the Shenandoah? How the tide
of war ebbed and flowed. Sometimes the
Confederates retreated and sometimes they
pursued. Those people who claimed to be
our brethren had burned every thing except
our fences.
Ex- Governor Watts-And they would have
burned them had they not been stone.
Mr.. Davis turned smiln gly and repeated
to the crowd land why do you suppose
they did not burn the fences? because they
were stone loud applausel and yet there
nc ina Ia inf nd 70 dC
of troops marched down that valley that
the ladies did not wave Confederate flags
from their windows, and give bread to the
hungry soldiers Tremendous Applausel
have promised that would not speak
extemporaneously, and I will not do it,
God bless you one and all I love You all
from the bottom of my heart, and give you
thanks now for your kindness. Great and
prolonged cheering.l
The ceremony of laying the corner
stone wasLsarticipateed in BY the Mason
ic fraternity, the Monument Association
consisting of Colonies Reece, Bragg, w.
B. johnson and Screws, Governor O'Neil,
General w. w. Allen, Grand Master Har-
ris of the Knights of Pythias, and vcter-
ans of the late war. Mr.. Davis and Gen.
eral Gordon then proceeded to the Gov
ernor's room in the Capitol, where they
received the veterans. After dinner, at
the Exchange Hotel, they joined the Mill
tary Ladies' Memorial Association, this
being their Decoration Day, in a grand
parade to the cemetery, where the sol.
diers' graves were decorated.
Captain A. A. Wiley delivered the ora
tion. The graves of Yancey, General
Lomax and other distinguished dead were
handsomely ornamented. Mr.. Davis goes
to Atlanta tomorrow on special train
rendered by General Manager Abbott of
the Western railroad of Alabama. After
the unwilling of the Hill monument, he
will go to Savannah. This city is alive
with strangers, and bunting decorations
are abundant.