Semi-weekly south Kentuckian. [volume] (Hopkinsville, Ky.) 1883-1889, 1886-05-07
The Confederate Monument, the
Corner Stone Laid-Speeoh Of
Mr.. Davis.

Corner Stone Laid-Speeon OF
Mr.. Davis.
MONTGOMERY, ALA, April 29.-The
capitol grounds at ii o'clock to-day
presented an animated scene. Inc
whole hilltop and premises were
crowded with people gathered to wit
ness the laying of the corner stone OF
the Confederate monument. OF, as
some express it, the official burial OF
confederacy. The foundation OF the
monument only, was ready, repre-
senting a surface of 80 feet square.
Near at hand stood the cornerstone
on which in raised letters was the
inscription, "Corner stone, laid Dy
ex-President Jefferson Davis, April
90, 1885," Il
The procession formed in front OF
the Exchange Hotel. Mr.. Davis, his
daughter, ex-Gov. Watts and Hon.
ii. 6. Tompkins, chairman of the
committee on arrangements, were In
a carriage drawn by four white horses
each led by a negro in livery. The
procession was preceded by cavalry
and artillery escort, and was further
made up of the other local military,
Uniformed Rank Knights of Pythias,
Grand Commandery of Knights Tenn
plar and Masonic order from differ
ent parts of the state. The demon
STATIONS along the route were as en-
thusiastic as yesterday. lie TOOK his
seat with the committee of the Mem
orial Association. Behind him were
Mrs. Gordon, the Misses Davis and
Gordon on his left and Gen. Gordon
ON his right. Ex-Gov. Watts, the
presiding officer of the occasion, open
ed the exercises by requesting rev.
Mr.. Andrew, of the M. e. Church, to
pray. The prayer was earnest ana
simple.
Ex-Gov. Watts then presented Mr..
Davis in a brief speech. The scene,
as Mr.. Davis arose and grasped the
hand of his old attorney general, was
very affecting.
Mr.. Davis said: '1tis deeply graf
flying to me to be presented to you
by one on whom leaned for advice
when advice was wanted; whose
stern qualities always made me cure
the Judgment he was drawing was
from the bottom of his heart. When
YOU called him away the place was
missing which he filled, and ! have
always desired to lay my hand upor
him again. Doing SO. Applause,
Thus it was when we met the Other
night after years of separation. Som
people in the room gave a sardom
smile to see two old weather-beatel
men embrace, but our hearts wer.
Young though our heads were old
Associated here with so many memo
ries, thrilling and tender, l feel tina
it is dangerous for me to attempt 7
speak TO you as my heart woul'
prompt me. Not that am Away
treasuring up bitterness against an
one, but | am over-fowing with Low
and admiration for our beloved pee
pie. ILong and loud applause. L
avoid, therefore, anything whic
might be prompted by the fullness
of my heart, for believe l am case
hardened in that condition of non-ci
izenship, which leaves me very littl
to fear. [Applause.] For the pul
pose of guarding others rather tina
myself, / have prepared some note
that might read, which would nc
contain anything that would be col
structive or hurtful. Voices go OH
say what you please" "You are
the house of your friends."l 49,.
NV friends, partners in joy and Sol
row, in trials and suffering, l haS
come to join you in the performant
ola sacred task to lay the foundatio
of a monument ut the cradle of a col
federate government, which sha
commemorate the gallant sons of A
ALBANIA who died for the country, wi
gave their lives, a free Offering in d.
tense of the rights of their sir
won in the war of the revolution ali
the state sovereignty-freedom al
independence which was left as Q
Inheritance to their posterity foreve
These rights, the compact of the III
ion was formed, not to destroy, but
preserve and perpetuate. Who
denies this can not have attentive
read the articles of confederation
the constitution of the United State
The latter was formed and designt
the better to effect the purpose of Il
first. 1t is not my purpose to DIVE
upon the events of the war. Tit
were laid before you yesterday
that great soldier in so able a mann
as to require no supplement from m
They were laid before you by Oh
who, like Aenes "cunata quoru
vidi ct magma Paris fui." Gen. Jol
B. Gordon was the soldier who, VIII,
our times seemed darkest at Peter
burg, was selected by his chieftai
Lee, as the best man to lead L
charge to repel the besieging army,
make sortie and attack in the flal
and reverse, to double up Grants 9
my, and if may say SO in his pr,
ence here, he failed; but his failu
was due to the failure of his guit
to carry HIM where he proposed
20. Again that man and gallant 8
dier was the only person whom
called at Appomattox when be wa
ed to know whether it were posi-
to break the line that INSTRUCTED
retreat toward the mountains Of V
GINA. He answered that it was j
3 possible; that after four years hi
fighting his division was worn do
to a fragment. 1t being then ]
possible to break the line that
structed his march to the inountai
Lee, like Washington, without knc
ing, perhaps, that Washington e
used the expression, said If he CO
reach the mountains of Virginia
could continue the war for TIVE
years. But, when he found the
which INSTRUCTED his retreat co
not be broken, he said there
nothing to do but surrender. 81