The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-04-29

expanse of desolation and financial ruin, you he
roicaliy turned to the task of restoration. reaiz
ing that yours was goodly land, and, though
parched and made bare by the fires of war, that
benignant God still bent above it the balmiest
of skies and peopled it with the bravest Of men
and the loveliest of women. With what success
you have striven, your increased comforts, your
increased agricultural products, your increased
miles of railway, your increased mines and man.
ufactures sufficiently attest, Amidst it all, and
better than all. you have retained the respect OF
mankind and preserved your own.
And now, let the manly virtues of the faith
ers and the stainless purity of the mothers dwell
richly IN their sons and their daughters; let per-
sonal and public honor be the commanding law
both OF your thought and of your action; let
your representatives, State and federal, still
maintain untarnished regulations for incorrupt-
Utility IN office; let your fidelity to the whole
country be as conspicuous in peace as was your
devotion to the South during devastating war;
let the Souths plighted faith to the permanent
union of the States and the legitimate results Of
the war be forever unquestioned; let all constitu
tional policies that tend to unite closely the
sections and people, and at the same time to pro-
mote simplicity and economy of administration,
find among You their sincerest and most en-
ilghtened champions Them in the march of the
Republic to its high destiny, the South will re-
sumo her place with the ranks at the head OF the
column. and the names of Southern states
men and Southern soldiers win live among
try's history"
General Gordon's speech was received with
great pleasure, and at many points he was inter-
rupted by the approving shouts of the multitude
His references to Mr. Davis and the grandeur Of
his life, especially the scenes depicted in Fort
ress Monroe, made profound impression, and
brought tears to hundreds OF eyes, His tributes
to the soldiers of both armies. and contempt for
the men who would attempt to detract from the
valor of either. received long continued shouts Of
applause. 1t was then announced that Mr.
Davis would receive his friends at the City Hall
as soon as the meeting adjourned.
When Mr.. Davis and the others Of the escort
ing party had passed through the lines and
reached their carriages, the vast throng dis
persed. AS he started from the Capitol portico,
the artillery doomed forth and fired salute of
100 guns. The same scene of cheering and wav-
ing OF handkerchieFs was enacted as when the
procession moved on the avenue Mr. Davis was
carried to the City Hall, where general hand
shaking was INDUCED in, the vast number Of
callers only permitting moment to each
This ended the days demonstration. 1t was q
grand success, the heavy rain in the morning and
after the speaking being the only drawbacks.
Universal good humor prevailed There was not
hitch in carrying out the details. Fully 10000
people were on the streets and the grounds.
No political significance attaches to the meet
ing. It was an opportunity for thousands Of
confederate soldiers, their wives and children,
to see Mr.. Davis, and they came accordingly.
1t has added largely to the fund for building the
monument. The streets are crowded tonight,
and the hotels are filed to suffocation. To-mor-
row will be another big day. The cornerstone
of the monument is to be laid with impressive
ceremonies, in which Mr.. Davis, General Cor
don and other distinguished confederates will be
present and take part The Masonic fraternity
will lay the cornerstone, and Mr.. Davis will put
it in place.