Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1886-04-30
GALA DAY in ALABAMA,
JEFF DAVlS'S APPEARANCE HAS QUITE
A HOLIDAY EFFECT.
Conrcdcrates Greet the aged ex-Chicf;ain
with Noci,crous Applause Makes
short Nddrrss--Thc Excitement
Forces him to Retire

MONTGOMERY, Ala, April 2S.-To-day
will ever be memorable in the history of
Alabama Every locality was represented
and many adjacent towns and villages
poured entire populations into the streets
At an early hour the sidewalks were so
densey packed that lOcOmOtion was DIM
cult. II had rained all night and
poured down until If o'clock. The hour
for delivering addresses by Davis and
Gen. Gordon was changed to 9 p. m, and
instead of going to the park it was decided
TO 90 to the capital grounds and for the
speeches to be made from the very spot
where Davis took the oath of office as
president of the confederate States. This
change was made because Of the muddy
condition of. the park. The entire city is
gaily decorated and the city hall has the
United States flags llutterng out of every
window. Pictures Of confederate generals
are fastened to the outside walls while the
names of StuueWHll Jackson, Albert Sidney
Johnston, Robert f.. Lee and many other
confederate generals fluttered to the
breeze on streamers. The capitol was
beautifully decorated From the topmost
point of the high dome, towering far
above everything IN the city, tloated the
stars and stripes. The people all wanted
to see their old president and nothing
would satisfy them till they had done SO.
Being feeble, it was more than he could
stand and he had to retire. At 2 o'clock,
Davis escorted by Mayor Reese, Gov.
O'Neal and eX-Gov. Walls, formerly of his
cabinet, drove to the capital.
The shouts of the multitude as he was
seen to emerge from the hotel were louder
than ever before heard in this city.
Another carriage contained Gen. John b.
Gordon and Capt w. l.. Bragg, Miss
Winnie Davis, youngest daughter of
Davis and Miss Rose, the mayors daugh-
ter. Other carriages followed with dis
tinguished guests, amid the waving of
hats and handkerchiefs, the booming of
cannon and the playing of bands of
music. Having arrived at the capitol,
Davis was seated on about the his
toric spot he occupied February IS, 1861.
Mayor Reese advanced and said "My
counlrymen-lt is with profound emotion
that | present to you the foremost type of
Southern manhood, Hon. Jefferson Davis,
eX-presldent of the confederate states of
America 1t was some minutes before
he could proceed for shouting. Davis
leaning on cane with the federal flag
over him and the confederate veterans be
fore him, in a clear and ringing voice
said My friends, it would be vain If
| should attempt to express to you
the deep gratitude | feet at this demon
stratiOn. You have passed through the
terrible ordeal OF war, which Alabama did
not seek. When she felt her wrongs TOO
grievous to bear and thunders OF war
came ringing over the land, her people rose
in their majesty. Gray haired sres and
beardiess boys rushed to the front. 1t was
that war which Christianity alone APP
proved, a holy war for defense. Well do
remember seeing you gentle boys NOV
ing on with eager step to a carnival of
IA
graves; but they are not dead 1t were
in vain should | attempt to express my
gratitude to you. | am standing now
where | stood when ! took the oath of
Office in lNjl Your demonstration now
exceeds that Which welcomed me then.
This shows that the spirit of southern
liberty l. not dead. Long and continued
applause. Then you were full of Joyous
homes, Yuu had every prospect Ot achieving
all yOU desired and now YOU are wrapped
in mantle Of regret, and Yet that re-
Elet only manitc~ts more profoundly
and does not obIiie@tr the expression OF
your sentiments. | felt last night when
coming to Montgomery that | was coming
to my home, coming to land where Ito
erty dies NOT, ana serious sentiments VIII
live forever. Applause. 1 have been
promised 10y my friends that should not
be called upon to mBkea speech and there
fore ! viii only extend to my heartfelt
thanks. God bless you, one and all, ole
men aud boys and ladies above all others
who never faltered in our direct needs
LLong and continued applause.
Davis was feeble that ne immediate
ly retired amid VOciferuus cheering, ant
Gen. y. b. Gordon delivered the address
Tomorrow the corner stoue of the monu
ment Is 10 he laid with impressive cere
monies, in which Davis, Gordon and 9th
er distinguished cOnlederates Will be pres
ent to take part