The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-04-30
JEFF DAVIS TALKS AGAIN.
The Great Rebellion Was a War in Be-
half of Constitutional Liberty.
A Number of Statements Which Come in
Violent Contact with the Truth of History
Repetition of Wednesdays Scenes.

MONTGOMERY. Ala. April 29.-Ths CAPITOL
grounds. at ii o'clock today, presented an ami
mated scene. The whole hilltop and premises
were covered with people gathered to witness
the laying Of the cornerstone of the confederate
monument, or, AS it was expressed, 1.-THE official
burial of the confederate dead" The founda-
ton of the monument only was ready, covering a
surface of thirty-fve feet square On the corner
stone was the inscription: Cornerstone, laid
by ex-PresideIt Jefferson Davis, April 20, 1885,"
Near this was large platform for speakers.
The procession formed in front Of the Exchange
Hotel Mr.. Davis, his daughter. Ex-Governor
Watts and Hon. H. c.. Thompkins chairman Of
the committee on arrangements, were in car
riage drawn by four white horses, each led by
negro in livery. The next carriage contained
General and Mrs Gordon, his daughter and Mr..
Clement c. Clay, and was surrounded by sur
vivors of tho Sixth Alabama and other
confederate veterans. The procession was pre-
coded by artillery, and was further made up of
other local military, uniformed ranks of Knights
of Pythias, Grand Commandery of Knights
Templars and Masonic bodies from different parts
of the State The demonstrations along the
route were as enthusiastic as thcy were yester-
day. The ex-President was, as is usual when
ever the people catch sight of him. cheered en-
Enthusiastically. He took his seat with the COM
mittee of the Memorial Association. Behind
him was Mrs Gordon. Miss Davis was on his
left hand and General Gordon on his right Ex-
Governor Watts, officers of the Sixth Alabama
and others were ON the platform. The Sixth
Regiment was present also, as were the trustees
of the Soldiers Monument Association-Col. w.
L. Bragg, Mayor Reese, Gen. w. W. Allen, Col.
William r. Jones and Col W. w. Screws.
pretty picture was witnessed when some old
soldier brought forward the muster-roll of the
Sixth Alabama, and the two ladies-Misses Cor
don and Davis-and Mr.. Davis examined it.
The old veterans near swelled with gratitude
and pardonable pride The exercises were
opened with reference to the Importance of call
ing down the benediction of heaven on the occa-
sion, and Rev. Mr.. Andrews, pastor of the M.
E. Church, was requested to pray. The prayer
was earnest and simple.
Elk Governor Watts then presented Mr. Davis,
in brief speech. The scene as Mr.. Davis arose
and grasped the hand of his old Attorney general
was very affecting 1t was some moments be-
fore he could proceed as the cheers were again
and again repeated. When there was sufficient
quiet, Mr.. Davis said:
sit is deeply gratifying to me to be presented
to you by one on whom leaned for advice when
advice was wanted, whose stern qualities made
me sure that the judgment he was drawing was
from the bottom of his heart. When you called
him away the place was missing which he
once filed, and have always desired to lay my
hand on him again. Doing so. Applause Thus
it was when met the other night, after years
OF separation; some people in the room gave
sar6onic smile to sea two old weather-beaten
men embrace, but our hearts were young though
heads were old. Associated here with SO
many memories thrilling and tender, have felt
that it were dangerous for me to attempt to
speak to you as my heart would prompt me- Not
that [ always treasuring up bitterness
against anyone, but am overlooking with love
and admiration for our beloved people. Loud
applause.] To avoid, therefore, anything which
might be prompted by the fullness of my heart
tor believe am case-hardened in that condi-
ton of non-citzenship which leaves me very lit
tie to fear-for the purpose of guarding others
rather than myself, have prepared some notes
that might read which would not contain any
thing that would be destructive or hurtful.
Voices: go on, Say what you please You
are in the house Of your friends.
"My friends. partners in JOY and in sorrow, in
trial and suffering, have come to join You in
the performance OF sacred task, to lay tho
foundation OF monument at the cradle OF the
crate the gallant sons of Alabama who died for
their country, who gave their lives. free will
offering. in defense of the rights of their sres
won in the war Of the Revolution. and of State
sovereignty, freedom and independence, which
was left as an inheritance to their posterity
forever. These rights the compact of union was
formed, not to destroy, but the better to pre-
serve and perpetuate. Who SO dense that he
cannot have attentively read the Constitution Of
the United States2 The latter was formed and
designed the better to effect the purpose
of the first. It is not my purpose to dwell
upon the events of the war. They were laid be-
fore you yesterday by that great soidiar in so
able a manner as to require no supplement from
me. They were laid before you by one who did
his duty well Gen. John B. Gordon was the
soldier who, when onr times seemed darkest at
Petersburg. selected by his chieftain, Lee, as
the best man to lead the charge to repel
the beseging army to make sorte and re-
verse, to double up Grants army; and, if I may
say so in his presence here, he failed, but his
failure was due to the failure of his guides to
carry him where he proposed to go. Again, that
and gallant soldier the person
whom Lee called at Appomattox when he
wanted to know whether it were possible to
break the line that INSTRUCTED his retreat to-
wards the mountains of Virginia. He answered
that it was impossible; that, after four years of
hard fighting, his division was worn down to
fragment. 1t being then impossible to break the
line that INSTRUCTED his march to the mountains
Lee, like Washington, without knowing, per-
haps, that Washington ever used the expression,
said, if he could reach the mountains of Virginia
he could continue the war for twenty years. But
when he found the line which INSTRUCTED his
route could not be broken, he said there was
nothing to do but surrender. Be it Femem
bered, however, that Lee was not the man who
contemplated surrendering as long as hope re-
manned, and when he came to the last moment
of surrender he said to General Grant: i have
come to treat with you for the purpose of sur
render and General Grant said that he might
draw up the papers himself.
"It is not my purpose, either, to discuss the
political questions on which my views have, at
other times, been freely expressed. That we
may not be misunderstood by such as are not
willfuily 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 be-
lief in the right of our cause and the virtue of
those who risked their lives to defend it. (Long