The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-05-03
GLoR1FY1NG THE LOST. CAUSE.


Mr. Blacks Grafton at the dwelling of the
Hill Monument-Jeff Davis's Remarks.
ATLANTA, Ga, May 1.-The grafton at the
unwilling of the monument of Senator Ben Hill,
to-day, was delivered by j. G. G. Black and was
received with great enthusiasm. In his opening
remarks he referred to the high character and
public services Of ex-senator Hill. In abiding
to the presence of Mr.. Jefferson Davis, he said:
'Ilustrious son Of the South, thy silent pres
is loftier tribute than spoken Grafton, or
marble statue, or assembled thousands. Beside
the grave of him who never swerved in his de-
votioh to thee and the cause of which thou vert
and art the worthy representative we this day
acknowledge thy just claim upon the confidence,
esteem, love and veneration of ourselves and our
posterity."
The speaker dwelt at length upon the late
civil war and of the policy pursued toward the
South since its close He said that the Southern
Confederacy contemplated no invasion or con-
quest; did not have African slavery as its chief
cornerstone, but was based on the principle
enunciated by the Fathers of the Republic-that
government derived its just powers from the
consent of the governed.
He continued: cit was another declaration of
American independence. In the purity of their
motives, in the loftiness of their patriotism, in
their love of liberty, they who declared and
maintained the first were not worthier than they
who declared and failed IN the last Animated
by such purposes aspiring to such destiny. feel
ing justified then land without shame now, we
entered upon that movement. Our flag went
down at Appomattox, weakened by stabs from
behind, inflicted by hands that should have up
held; covered with the wounds of the mightiest
war of modern times; dripping with as pure
blood as ever hallowed freedoms cause our con-
federacy fell, and liberty stood weeping at the
grave of her youngest and fairest daughter. Our
peerless military cheftain went to the noble pur
suit of supervising the education OF the young,
proclaiming that human virtue should be equal
human calamity. Our great civil chieftain went
to prison and chains and there, as well as after
ward in the dignifed retirement Of his private
life for twenty years, has shown how human
virtue can be equal to human calamity? The one
has gone, leaving US the priceless legacy of his
most illuStrious character the other still fingers
bearing majestically the sufferngs of his people,
and calmly awaiting the summons that shall call
him to the rewards and glories of those who have
suffered for the right"
The speaker then proceeded to review the
period subsequent to the war. He said that the
soldiers of the South returned to their homes
willing to acknowledge defeat and accept its
legitimate results. He acknowledged that there
were grave problems to be solved, but asserted
that the most ingenious statecraft could not
have inspired spirit which, if it permanently
ruled would more certainly have destroyed all
the States and the Republic"
He pictured in glowing periods the cruelty,
wrong and oppression to which the South was
subjected held up to scorn those who cast aside
their allegiance to the Confederacy in order to
secure favor with the victors; praised those who
stood steadfast to their convictions, striving
steadily for equality before the law, and voiced
the thanks which the South owes to them for
the happiness and freedom which prevail there
now. He closed by saying that the South had
forgotten everything in it's allegiance to the
Union. except the memory of its cherished dead.
At the conclusion of Mr. Blacks Grafton Mr..
Grady introduced Mr.. jefferson Davis AS he
rose from his seat and stepped forward the
multitude broke forth into cheers, which lasted
several minutes When silence was restored
Mr.. Davis spoke as follows:
II believe you have been generally appraised
that no address has been expected from me. /
come as one who wants to show his respect to
the man who, whether in victory or defeat, was
ever the same. If l were asked to select from
the great men of Georgia's history would take
Oglethorpe, ths benevolent; Troup the daunt-
less, and Hill, the faithful. II it was expected
of me, and / felt able to speak. feel that
could say nothing to add to the great ovation
you have rendered me, but will say something
about my dead friend. His voice was raised
first and last for Georgia. When paralyzed by
defeat and poverty. and our people seemed to
shrink back, it was his eternal devotion to the
cause of truth and justice which gained Geor-
gians the independence you now enjoy. But
dare not speak of Hill personally. From the
beginning to the end he was one on whom /
could place my hands with confidence. He had
nothing to ask, but had much to give. You see
what we have suffered. and what it becomes
Georgia to resent but, my friends. ours is day
of peace, as well as resistance. urge upon all
present 10 observe fealty to every promise and
loyaltyto the rights guaranteed to you under
the Constitution May the freedom and indie
penderce such as your fathers gave you be yours
and your children's forever"
After the unwilling ceremonies, Mr. Davis re-
turned to the residence of Mrs Fill, where he
will remain until tomorrow, when he will 60 to
Savannah.