The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1886-05-06
AN OVATION.
ROUSING RECEPTION OF EX-
PRESIDENT DAVIS AND
PARTY.
THE WHOLE CITY AND COUNTRY
TURNS OUT, AT ATLANTA, TO
SEE THE OLD LEADER.

SEE THE OLD LEADER.
ATLANTA, Nav The reception of Jefferson
Davis, last evening on his arrival from Montgom-
ery was one of the grandest, most touching Ova-
tons ever rendered any leader. The whole city
was beautifully and deliberately decorated with
flowers, bunting, and picture of dead and living
heroes, At every station along the route from
Montgomery, Mr.. Davis met by delegations,
who shouted and cheered from the moment the
train came in sight till twas ont of hearing. At
each station speeches were made by different mem
beers of the Hill statue committee. At several
places Mr.. Davis spoke, though he was very weak.
At LaGrange the committee endeavored to pre-
vent him from speaking, but he said he mast
speak a few words, as it was the old home
Of Ben Hill. The mayor of Montgomery, az
cOmpanied the party and upon their arrival they
were met by the Hill statue rec ption committee
and Gov. Mcdaniel. The whole party, amid mp
rOa,Ous cheers, were driven to the residence of
Mrs. b. H. Hill, whose guest Mr.. Davis will be
The children in the city. numbering not less than
500, were in line all the way from the depot to
Mrs Hills residence, distance of over mile
and scattered flowers before the ex- presidents
carriage Two thOusasd eX-confederate veterans
followed the carriage to Mrs. Hill residence.
Mr., Davis was accompanied by his daughter and
Cen Gordon and his wife and daughter. The
city is wild with enthusiasm. No other man ever
received such a reception from the Genrgia PEG
pie. The city is crowded to overlooking, to wit
ness the ceremony of unyeing the Hill monu-
ment to day
IMMENSE TnRoNGs.
ATLANTA, May l.-TOd,y is MAY day which
will long be remembered by the people of Atlanta
The day opened bright and fair Before the sun
was an hour high streams of humanity began to
pour into the city from every direction, but the
thousands who came by rail did not seem to com
pare with those who came from the surrounding
country on foot, on horseback and in every con
Ceyabe kind of vehicle Atlanta seemed the vOr
rex of a grand maelstrom and the surrounding ter
ritory drained itself into its gates. The decorations
which yesterday seemed very prOfusc, we're this
morning greatly added to, and so well and quickly
did the decorators perform their work that by nine
O'Clock the route selected for the procession to ira
verse was abaze with tri-coor Charmn ely arrayed,
and in many instances with exquisite taste Mr.
Davis rose early, feeling much refreshed by the en-
ceent nights rest he had enjoyed. Soon several
members of the committee called to conl;Je ar
engagements for the days exercises. In front of the
house
DENSE CROWD,
citizens and visitOfs, assembled 10 see Mr. Davis
and escort him out long before the hour announced
for his appearance. rope was stretched along
the street in front of the mansion to hold the
crowd in check, and the parade began to form by
the Governors Horse guard, which had been on
duty AS special guards, passing down Peach-tree
street on their way to Marietta street. followed by
other military. As soon they had passed the
mansion Mr.. Davis came out, escorted by Hon. j.
c. G. Black, took his seat in the carriage, which
was nearly filled with flowers, and the wheels of
which were covered with red, white and blue cloth.
Amid loud cheering from the thrOng, to which Mr.
Davis responded by lifting his hat and bowling to
the right and t. the left the procession moved, be-
ing joined on Peach-tree street by the Gate City
guard which headed the parade. The streets along
the route were lined with thousands When the
procession reached the statute the veterans opened
ranks and the military and carriages passed
through. There was
THE Widest EXCITEMENT
over MIR. Davis and the people swarmed around
the platform The stage was handsomely decorated
with flowers and banners.
Henry w. Grady opened the ceremonies by say
ing: "We have gathered here to-day to do honor
to the memory great man, and to perpetuae his
name in our hearts.
Mr. Grady then introduced Rev Mr.. Evans, pas
tor, and friend of Senator llill who opened the
ceremonies with PRAYER, which was beautiful and
touching He prayed for Mr. Davis, and Mrs. Hill
and family
DR.. Spalding, in brief address, presented the
statue to Gov. McDanels for the people of Georgia
DR.. Spalding gave the history of the committees
work, and alluded in touching words to Senator
Hills noble life. Then turning to Capt Burke
he said: ''Will yon unvel the statue:'' fH,
As Captain Burke released the cloth covering of
the statue, revealing the familiar form and fea
lures, great shout arose from the immense
c ovid.
GOVERNOR M'DANIEL,
In behalf Of the people, received the statue in an
eloquent address, closing as follows: "When the
Hays OF the union Oated again over all the states,
and the soldiers of the opposing armies, with mu-
tGa respect and pride in American valor parted in
peace, the yictors returning to b0nfres and feast
ings and he mes and power the vanquished to ruin
ed homes and poverty and tolls; when partisan
hate offered prescription inst, al of r4t latiJn,
and sought by military force to degrade states into
provinces, the voice of Hill, never silent in times
of peril, sounded the first note of warning and
sist n that reused Georgians to danger and in
spired them with courage to maintain their rights
under the cons tuition. No people, of any age,
have been confronted with evils of su'h magni
tude, and none have overcome them with better
spirit of patience, forbearance ard loyalty to
pledges of their leaders, principles of their fathers
Impoverished, prescribed and maligned, they
bent the energies which in warfare had astonished
the civilized world to the task of regaining con
troll of the state government; they rebuilt the So
cial fabric, restored material prosperity, extended
the blessings of education and secured to every
citizen without distinction of race color or prev
ious condition, all the rights and privileges TO
which he is entitled. Mr.. Hill lived to share in
this grand triumph and to rejoice at the dawn of
prosperity. He lived to vindicate in the congress
of the L. s., the conduct of the south during the
war and to silence the ISLANDERS that impugned our
home. His eloquence first awakened the American
people to the truth of the sentiment embodie d
in the words that speak from yonder table and
connect his name with the brightest page of his
countIy's history. But he was den ed by divine
providence share of victory by which the Ameri-
can people at the ballot box in the election of a
president adapted to this sentiment Could he
have lived to celebrate that event, no tongue of
orator nor pen of genius in the annals of time
would have gaddened the lovers of liberty with the
sublime praises of our system of government"
The Grafton was delivered by Hon. j. c. c.
Black, and was received with great enthusiasm.
After the unveing ceremonies MIR Davis re-
remain until tomorrow, when he will 80 to Sa
Vannah.