Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1886-05-06
A oHEprrss TO DAYS.
HIS Reception and address nt Mont
gOmery, Alabama.

MONTGOMERY, ALA, April 90. day
will ever be memorable in the history of
Alabama. Every locality was repre-
sented, and many adjacent towns and
villages poured their entire population
into the streets. Instead of going TO the
park il was decided TO go to the capital
grounds, and for the speeches to be made
from the very spot where Mr.. Davis took
an oath of Office as president of the con-
federation states. Pictures of confederate
generals are fastened to the outside walls,
while the names of Robert l.. Lee, Stone
wall jackson, Albert Sydney Johnston,
Robert e. Rodes and many other confed-
crate generals fluttered to the breeze on
streamers. The Capitol was beautifully
decorated.
Mr.. Davis was escorted to the Capitol
by the militia, and upon arriving there
was introduced by the mayor. lie was
loudly applauded and said
My Friends: 1t would be vain II should
attempt to express to you the deep gratlll-
cation which l feel at this demonstration
But | know that it is not personal and
therefore / feel more deeply grateful, be-
cause 1t is u sentiment far dearer to me
than myself. You have passed through
the terrible ordeal Of war, which Albania
did not seek. When She felt her wrongs
too grIevous for further toleratlon, she
sought the polceable solution. That being
denied her, thun iers of war came ringing
over the land. Then her people rose in
their majesty. Gray haired slres and beard
less boys eagerly rushed to the front. 1t was
that war Christianity alone approved
holy war for defence. Well do remember
seeing your gentle boys, so small, to use
farmers phrase, they might have been
called seed corn moving on with eager step
and fearless brow TO the carnival OF death !;
and l have also looked upon them when
heir knapsacks and muskets seemed
heavier than the boys, and my eyes paItak-
ing OF a mothers weakness filled with tears.
Those days have passed. Many Of them
have found nameless graves, but they are
not dead. They live in memory, and their
spirits stand out, the grand reservc Of that
column which Is marching on with unfnlter-
ing step toward the goal Of constitutional
liberty. 1t were in vain IL should attempt,
as have already said, to express my graft
tude to you.
am standing now very nearly on the
spot where stood when took the oath OF
office In 1861. Your demonstration now ex-
ceeds that which welcomed me them This
shows that the spirit OF southern liberty is
not dead. Then you were full OF Joyous
hopes. You had every prospect of achieving
all you desired; and now you are wrapped
In the mantle of regret, and yet that regret
only manlfests more profoundly and does
not obliterate the expression of your senti-
ments. l felt last night as l approached
the Exchange Hotel, from the gal
lery OF which your peerless orator,
William l.. Yancey, introduced me to
the citizens of Montgomery, and com
mended me in language which only hls
eloquence could yield, and which lar OK
ceeded my merit; l felt, l say again, that
was coming to my homecoming, to II lauG
where liberty dies not and serious 5entl
ments will live forever. l have bnri
promised, my friends, that / sholl not
called upon TO make II speech, TN /, l. e..
fore, will only extend to you my hpartfnt
thanks. God bless you, one and ull. old
men and boys, and the ladies' above all
others, who never faltered in our diresi
needs.
General John d. Gordon then delivered
the address preceding the laying of the
foundation of the soldiers monument.