The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1886-05-12
IN ALABAMA'S CAPITAL.
Jefferson Davis at Montgomery,
the Scene of his Inauguration.
Greeted by Thousands Of Enthusi.
astic SOutherners.

We CLEAN from the Associated Press dis
patches the following account of the recep
ton of Jefferson Davis at Montgomery, Ala
on the 2Sth, the occasion Of his presence being
the laying of the corner stone of a monument
to the Confederate soldiers:
This day will be memorable in the history
of Alabama. Every locality was represented
and many adjacent towns and villages
poured their entire population into the
streets At an early hour the
sidewalks were 50 densely packed
that locomotion was difficult. Instead
Of going to the park it was decided
to 60 to the Capitol grounds, and for the
speeches to be made from the very spot
President of the Confederate States.
The entire city was gaily decorated and the
City Hall had United States flags flutterins
out of every window. Pictures of Confed'
crate Generals were fastened to the outside
walls, while the names of Robert
E. Lee, Stonewall Jackson, AL
bert Sydney Johnston and many
others tiuttered to the breeze on
streamers. The Capitol was beautifully dec
GRATED. From the topmost point on the high
dome floated the stars and stripes. The
entire front was covered with streamers and
devices and from the front columns i'm
mense Federal flags reached down almost to
the heads of the speakers.
The scenes around Mr. Davis and the great
desire to see and shake him by the hand were
indescribable. People were packed in the
Exchange like sardines They all wanted to
see their old President, and nothing would
satisfy them until they had done so. Being
feeble, it was more than he could stand, and
he had to retire.
The military escort formed in front of the
hotel and extended far up the avenue lead
ing to the Capitol. 1t was necessary to
form square that the procession might
move. A carriage with four white horses
was drawn up to the door, and promptly at
2P. NJ. Mr.. Davis, escorted by Mayor Reese,
Governor O'Neal and Ex-Governor Watts,
formerly of his cabinet, stepped from
the hotel and entered the carriage The
shouts Of the multitude as he was seen to
step from the hotel were louder than ever
before heard in this city. They had the
peculiar nervous jerk which character
lied what became famous as the "yell
of the Southerners" the world over. The
next carriage contained General John
B. Gordon and Capt. w. L. Bragg. Miss
Winnie Davis the youngest daughter of Mr..
Davis, and Miss Reese, the Mayors daught
Other carriages followed with the trustees of
the Monument Association and the Govern
or'S staff.
Amid the waving of hats and handker-
chiefs, the booming of cannon, the playing
titude, the procession began to move. The
route was about half mile long. The ave.
nue. is very wide, but the crowd
was packed from one side to the
other. When the procession arrived at
the Capitol gate the way was cleared for Mr..
Davis. He was seated at the historic spot he
occupied on February IL, 1861. The people
were packed from the steps to the front gate.
When order had been secured Mayor Reese
advanced and said
"MY CoUNTRYMEN: It is with profound
emotions that I present to you the foremost
type of Southern manhood, the Hon. JEFF
ferson Davis ex-President of the Confederate
States of America"
AS Mr.. Davis advanced the crowd broke
out in tumultuous applause: The shouts
finally dying away, Mr.. Davis, leaning on
his cane, with the Federal flag over him and
Confederate veterans before him, in clear
voice, said:
'MY FRIENDS: It would be vain if Ishould
attempt to express to you the deep gratlhca-
ton which feel at this demonstration. But
know that it is not personal, and therefore
feel more deeply grateful, because it is a senti.
passed through the terrible ordeal of war,
which Alabama did not seek. When she felt
her wrongs too grievous for further liberation
she sought q peaceful solution. That being
denied her, thunders of war came ringing
over the land. Then her people rose in their
majesty, gray-haired seers and beardless
boys. eagerly rushed to the front. 1t
was that war which Christianity alone
approved-a holy war for defence. Well do
remember seeing your gentle boys, so small
to use farmers phrase, that they might
eager step and fearless brow to the carnival
of death; and I have also looked upon them
when their knapsacks and musEets seemed
heavier than the boys, and my eyes, par
taking of mothers weakness, filed with
tears Those days have passed. Many
of them have found narneless
graves, but they are not dead. They live in
memory and their spirits stand out, the
grand reserve of that column which is
marching on with unfaltering steps toward
the goal of constitutional liberty. ZAP
plause.) It were in vain if should attempt,
as have already said, to express my grati
tude to you. -,
81 am standing now very nearly on the
spot where stood when I took the oath Of
Office in 1861 Your demonstration now ex'
ceeds that which welcomed me then. This
shows that the spirit of Southern liberty Is
not dead. (Long and continued applause).
Then you were full of joyous hope-
you had every prospect of achieving
all you desired, and now you, are
wrapped in the mantle of regret And yet
that regret only manifests more protounoly
and does not obliterate the expression OF your
sentiments. I felt last night as approacheo
the Exchange Hotel, from the gallery or
which your peerless orator, Wllila!! -
Yancey, introduced me to the cltlzens
of Montgomery, and commended me
in language which only his eloquence could
yield, and which far exceeded my merit-l 1ei5
fsay again, that was coming to my home
coming to a land where liberty dies not and Sc
rious sentiments will live forever. (Applause.
Ihave been promised, my friends, that should
not be calIeu upon to make a speech, ana
therefore will only extend to you my heart
felt thanks. God bless you, one and al,
old men apd boys, and the ladies above. all
others, who never faltered in our dlrest
needs"
When Mr. Davis retired the shouts We're 50
long and loud that he had to 60 to the front
again. He bowed his Acknowledgements and
thanks. Governor O'Neal then introduced
General John B. Gordon, the orator selected
to deliver the address General Gordon next
delivered an grafton, which was frequently
interrupted by applause. The procession
then returned to the City Hall, where MIR.
Davis held public reception.
The 29th was another big day for Mont
gomery. The corner stone Of the monument
was laid with the usual ceremonies Mr.;
Davis, General Gordon, and other noted
Confederates were present and took part.
The Masonic fraternity laid the corner stone
Mr. Davis put the stone in place.
THIRTY FEET LONG,