Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1886-04-30
TRUE TO HIS TWO FLAGS.
NOBLE SENTIMENTS OF DIXIE'S
HEROIC EX-PRESIDENT.

HEROIC EX-PRESlDENT.
The Righteousness of the Lost Cause
FIouuentlv Reiterated and the Duty
of the Present Pointed Out-GoV'
watts, Introductory Tribute to the
uaro of the HOur-The Old Capital
Ringing with the Cheers of AIsbAma's
Loyal sons.
MONTGOMERY, ALA, April 29.-The
Capltol grounds at II O'Clock to-day pre-
sented an animated scene. The whole
hilltop and premises were covered Win
people gathered to witness the laying OF
the cornerstone of the Confederate monu-
ment, or, as some expressed it, 'the ofhci al
burial of the C0nfederacy." The skies
above were cloudless and pleasant breezes
waited the breath OF flowers from the
city. The foundation of the monument,
only, was ready, presenting surface OF
tbirtv-fve feet square. Near at hand
stood the cornerstone on which, in raised
letters, was the inscription:
Observation-Disclosures. =
Cornerstone Laid by Ex-Presidcnt !:
Jefferson Davis, April 2a 1856.
y
Opposite this was large platform for
the speakers.
THE PROCESSION.
The procession formed in front Of the
Exchange hotel. Mr.. Davis, his daughter,
ex-Gov. Watts, and Hon. III. G. Tompkins,
Chairman of the Committee OF Arrange
ments, We're in acarriage drawn by four
white horses, eacn led by negro in
livery. The next carriage contained Gen.
and Mrs. Gordon, his daughter and Mrs.
Clement g. Clay, and was surrounded by
survivors of the Sixth Alabama and other
Confederate veterans. The procession
was preceded by cavalry and artillery
escort, and was further made up OF other
local military, the uniformed rank OF the
knights of PythIas, the Grand COmman-
ders of the knights Templar and Masonic
bodies from different parts of the State.
The demonstrations along the route were
as enthusiastic as yesterday.
oHEERED ENTHUSIASTICALLY
The ex-President was, as is usual
whenever the people catch sight of him,
cheered enthusiastically. He took his
seat with the committee of the Memorial
Association, behind hm, Mrs. Gordon,
and Misses Davis and Gordon on his left,
and Gen. Gordon on his right.
Ex-Gov. Watts, the officers of the Sixth
Alabama, and others, were also 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, Col. W. W. Screws,
and Gov. 0'Neal.
Before the services began Gen. Bragg
presented Mr.. Davis with an elegant
basket of flowers from Maj. Boiling Hall,
who lives near the city. Mai. Hall is a
descendant of GeOrgia's Lyman Hall. He
was noted opponent to secession, but
had eight sons in the war, seven of whom
gave their lives to the Confederacy and
the eighth carries lead in him as evidence
of his devotion.
PRETTY PICTURE.
A pretty picture was witnessed when
some old soldier brought forward the
muster roll of the Sixth Alabama and the
two ladies, Misses Gordon and Davis,
examined it with his assistance. The old
veterans standing near swelled with graf
ifcatiOn and pardOnable pride.
EX-Gov. Watts, the presiding officer of
the occasion, opened the exercises with
reference to the Importance Of calling
down the beuedictiOn of heaven on the
occasion, and requested Rev. MIR. An
drew, pastor of the NJ. Z. church, to pray.
THE PRAYER IN FULL.
Following is the prayer in full:
Oh. Thou God of nations. we thank Thee for
the blessings which Thou hast bestowed upon
us as people. We thank Thee that Thou hast
led us up from small beginnings to our pres
ent position of power and prosperity, an d
given MS q place among the nations. We
thank Thee that the white winged angel OF
peace has driven aWav from us the demon Of
sectional discord, and that we are to-day,
hand in hand rs a united people. moving on
ward to the fulilment OF grand destiny.
and we thank Thee for all the blessings
which Thou hast bestowed upon us.
and especially do we thank Thee for
and prize the one that long ago our fathers
deemed conflict AMI death, a worthy price
which should be paid TO purchase Of freedom,
and that the grand Institution OF civil liberty
was cemented with their blood ana handed
down to their children TO be preserved in the
wears to come. And we thank Thee that
later on when the cloud of war swept
over our land everywhere men rushed
10 do and to dare and TO die 10 obeuience to
the voice Of duty, IN response to their cOnvic-
tions t. fight for their homes and their altars,
10 fight with hope. woman sent forth hUs 3
band and brother to the field of carnage with
words Of cheer, encouraging them to bear the
toll and danger Of the conflict cheerfuly,
that they might DO or die. and now, our Faith
cr, we come to-day. mothers, whose sons have
left their bones to bleach upon every embat-
tied plain OF our distant Ststes, widows, " hose
Tears are still falling in grief at the death Of
husbands, sons OF sires thai bled ant died,
comrades and brethren who fell, we come as u
people TO lay the corner stoneOi smart which
Is tn rear itself to heaven and carry down to
coming generations memory OF other days
and herOism and airing. We ask Tny blessing
God upon MS now. o kind GOD grant that as
our children look upward to the summit OF this
smart they may gather from II the lesson OF
heroism and devotion to duty OF those whom
u Is intended TO honor. We thank
lhee . God for the presence to-day OF him in
our midst, the chief representative of the
cause that was lost amidst the storm Of war
ts one of those who has q permanent place In
ne hearts Of his people. We thank Thee for
the example he has shown MS and our chill
Gren of resolution undaunted by danger, and
ueF"llon TO duty that was devoid VI selt-ln-
teIest, The pure.t tyne OF courage and man
mood, We thank Thee that Thou mast pre-
bIrNed MS life 80 many years TO US, and 1Od
krant that he may DE kept green and fresh Tor
fcars To come and the courage of MS manly
,eNl remain still undimmed and undAunted,
We tndnk Thee that he is with ms To-day. and
- 'od grant 70 spare 10 us his face 90 cheer US.
som ne AMID scenes OF carnage. Dut give us
tl4 counsel TO guide MS along IN the paths OF
Ithee' and VIC pray Thee that ihe evening ot
~ Ile may be flooded with calm and peace
t.l radiance, an that as the shadows gather
al la'i there may be light ln his heart, peace
~ ~ ill' eyes, and his brow starlit by the grace
~ heaven. Bless me- % God. guide us in the
uAe OF duty and clOthe us IA Thy righteous
ness we ask for Jesus sake. Amen.
GOV. WATTS SPEECH.
Gov. Watts then spoke AS follows;
can scarcely express to YOU how proud |
s,u ln having the honor Of introducing before
i son Today the eN- President of The Cunfede-
i"le states, now known a5 the chief ~ the
1al cause. Before Le was elected President
Il AZ ihe Confederate states I knew him simply