Clarksville weekly chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn.) 1873-1890, 1886-11-27

erected on the lot given by Hon.
Jefferson Davis, WAS dedicated. The
aermon, most eloquent discourse, was
delivered by Rev. Q. II. Strickland, Of
Nashville, from the text found in the
2sih chapter Of Genesis, 10Th, 18th and
10Th verses. Many persons were pres
ent from Guthrie, Nashville, ClaFks-
vile, Hopkinsville and other places.
At the conclusion OF his sermon the
pastor, Mr.. Dicken, requested that Mr..
Davis say few words to the congrega-
ton. Mr.. Davis rose, and with a firm
step, walked up and stood beside the
pulpit. He remained silent for a mo-
ment, with possibly all the recollections
of four score years yelling up and taxi
ing him back when in childhood
on that spot he had romped in careless
Innocence unmiudinl OF the gathering
storms. lie spoke in clear, collected
voice as follows:
my Fellow-Countrymen: Ititwith
a heartiull Of grateful motions that !
ztand here on the spot OF my nativity
TO assist in erecting an house to the
Triune God. Nothing was 50 accept
able to Him as such gift. Some Of
you may ask how ii is that !, who am
not Baptist, should give ground for
the erection OF a Baptist church. ] re-
ply that my lather, who was better
man than /, was Baptist.
"We left this place during my imam
cy and | have never been here but once
since, but have heard with lively feel
ing Of pleasures Of your progress"
He spoke of the beautiful church
which had been put up and said: "You
might have preferred to have displayed
a more selfish spirit, and have illustra-
ted your tastes by grand private resi-
dences. The pioneers Of this country,
as | have learned from tradition, were
OF simple habits, and before sectarian
disagreements arose or sectional strife
bad come, when man loved his neigh
Dor and shared his trials and dangers,
they had erected near here house OF
J worship to God. / did not come here
to make a speech, and would not mar
! the grand sermon to which we have
listened by attempting TO make any.
come but to tender to you and your
truste, and their successors forever the
g site on which this church stands. And
: may the grace of our Lord the Saviour
g rest on this house and fill this sacre<
: building this day.
"You all feel more than l can ex
I. press, and it would not be proper 70
e me to attempt to say what I woul,
Il wish to say, and I will just take leave c
|. YOU here"
y AS Mr.. Davis sat down Mr.. Dickel
6 stepped forward and in q few happ
words returned thanks to Mr.. Davi
e for the gift of the ground. He said tbs
q Mr.. Davis modesty had restrained hin
d from saying anything OF the beautifr
e. communion service which he had pre-
&, sented to the church.
e The Rev. Slmuel Baker OF Russell
So vile then offered the prayer OF ded
n cition.
le Some of his remarks as noted by til
E. American correspondent:
o. After dinner the great crowd separ,
81 ted, Mr.. Davis and his party driving
,e a close carriage seven miles to Pen
. broke. There almost an ovation W;
rendered him. Many of the citizer
Nc turned out and. shook him by the han,
ne He entered the waiting room OF IL
railway station and spent about an no,
waiting for the arrival of the sont
bound train. During the waithe talkt
&c very freely to those by whom he w
r. surrounded and gave some very mark,
to opinions upon various questions of &c
in eral interest.
"A, SCIltIcuIdu ia ult hdtly Fdlu-
:" MIR. Davis, recently, while readir
ne Northern paper, | found related
or little incident about your swearing A
raham Lincoln into the United Stat
II Army. Is there any truth, whatev,
- in the storyS"
re "Not one grain. And you may set
at down Ms Il general proposition tn
I'd everything you see published in
N Northern paper about me is total
!" false.
IT. "What do you think Of tiae Bla
be bill?"
n II am Southern man and stror
Of believer III the doctrine of States right
" [ favor the education of the yeopl
H. but am opposed to the National Go
eminent coming in and proposing
tie educate our children. 1t would be u
a wise to accept the provisions of Il
-" bill"
IL
IS Mr.. Davis, referring, in the desulto
&C. conversation to a number Of old friend
10 spoke in high terms OF Gov. Bat
- whom he esteemed for his valor as
=. soldier and as am eloquent and got
ch mau.
he