The Cecil Whig., 1886-05-08
DAVIS ON TIE SOUTH.
His Speech at the Laying of the Corner
Stone at Montgomery.

the iiSI ana Itt lbuIN ol tht ITeseht.
The corner stone of the monument to
the Confederate dead at Montgomery,
Alabama, was laid Thursday last. The
ceremonies, which have been described
as 1.-The official burial of the Confed
eracy," were attended by many thous-
and people.
The exercises were opened with a
prayer and then Ex Governor Watts in
troduced Mr.. Davis. The scene as Mr.
Davis arose and grasped the hand of his
old Attorney General was very affecting.
1t was some moments before he could
proceed, as the cheers We're again and
again repeated. When there was sutfi
cient quiet Mr.. Davis said:
Associated here with so many mem
ories thrilling and tender, ! have felt
that it were dangerous for me to at
tempt to speak to you as nv heart would
prompt me. Not that ! am always
treasuring up bitterness against anyone,
but am overhowing with love and ad
miration for our beloved people. Long
applause To avoid, therefore, any
thing which might be prompted by the
fitness OF my heart--for believe | am
case hardened in that condition of non
citizenship which leaves me very little 10
fear (app!auSe) for the purpose OF
guarding others rather than myself
have prepared some notes that | might
read which would not contain anything
that would be constructive or hurtful.
Voices: go on; say what you please.
You are in the house of your friends
\ SACRED TASK.
My friends, partners in joy and in
sorrow, in trials and in 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 Confed-
crate Government, which Shall ,mmemo,
rate the gallant sons of Alabama who
died for their country, who gave their
rights of their sires, won in the war of
the Revolution, and the State sover-
eignty, freedom and independence which
was left as an Inheritance to their pos
terity forever. These rights the com
pact of union was formed not to destroy,
but the better to preserve and perpetu
ate. Whose denies this cannot have at
tentively read the articles of confedera
tion or the Constitution of the United
states. The latter was formed and de-
signed the better to effect the purpose
of the first.
With "A brief reference to the events of
the war aud glowing tribute to the
valor of General Gordon, the Speaker
continued:
That we may not be misunderstood by
such as are not wilfully 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 to
avoid whatever responsibility attaches
to the belief III the righteousness of our
cause and the virtue of those who riSked
their lives to defend It, Long applause
and cheers. Revenge is not the senti-
ment of a chivalrous people, and the
apOtheSm that forgiveness Is more easy
to the III iured than to those who inillct
an injury has never had a more powerful
illus ration than i'll the present attitude
of the two sections towards one another
When your chiidreL's children shall ask
what means this monument there will
be the enduring answer: 'lt commemo-
rates the deeds of Alab mas sons who
died that you and your desce! dants
should be what your fathers i'll the war
ior Independence left you"
MT \ RENDITION.
Mr.. Davis declared that the action o
the States in anuuling the compact OF
union, which had been broken on one
side, and forming a new confederation,
was in no sense revolution, as sover-
eigns never rebel and as only severeigns
can form national league. If the States
had not been sovereigns there could not
have been a compact of union. APP
plause That the South did not antici
pate, much less DESIRE war is shown by
the absence of preparation for 1t, as well
as by the efforts made To secure peace-
tul separation.
He referred also to the prophecies and
threats OF dissolution which had been
heard from the early days OF the century.
They began at the y Drth. on the ques
ton of preserving the balance of power,
and eliminated during the war of 1912
on the decline of their trade, though the
war was waged for the protection of sail
ors' rights. lie graphically portrayed
the hero$m IN displayed by the people OF
the South when i'll behalf that their con
stitutlonal right were being invaded and
the sad alternate presented itself OF fight
ing for their State or against it, they
freely offered their lives i'll defense of the
cause.
Though Alabama, like Niobe, must
mourn ner children III death, yet is her
woe tempered by the glorious halo which
surrounds their memory. This monu-
ment will rest upon the land for which
they died and point upward to the Father
who knows the motives as well as the
deeds Of HIS children, and at last resting
in the land where justice may be rem
dered which may have been denied them
here.
THE DUTY OF THE PRESENT.
In conclusion, permit me to say, though
the memory of our glorious past must
ever be dear to us, duty points to the
present and the future. Alabama hav-
ing resumed her place in the Union, be
it yours to fulfill all the obligations de
volving rpon all good citizens, seeking
to restore the general government to its
pristine purity, and, as best you may, to
promote the welfare and happiness OF
your common country. Loud ap-
plause
Governor Watts then turned over the
rest of the proceedings to the Grand
Lodge OF Nasons, who were to lay the
cornerstone according to Masonic rules