Morning journal and courier., 1886-04-29
News by Telegraph FROM ALL QUARTERS. HAIL TO THE CHIEF. The South Greets Its Old
 Leader. RECALLING THE DAYS OF OLD. A Scene That Has No
 Parallel. THE KNIGHTS UNDER BAN. Catholics Must Shun The
 Order.
THE KNIGHTS UNDER BAN.
Catholics Must Shun The
 Order.
THE LIKE WAS NEyER SEEN.

| l A Great Ovation to the Rebel Chief | tain-ThousaRdsO of People Stand in The Rain While he Tells Them That the Spirit of Southern Liberty Still Lives.
 MONTGOMERY, Ala, April 29.-The city has been crowded with people since yester- day. At one o'clock to-day the procession | formed on Commerce street and marched up Dexter avenue to the Capitol where MT Davis delivered his address. The ex-Presi- dent rode in a close carriage and was driven by the same negro coachman who performed the same duties when MT. Davis came here in 1861. The military followed close behind the carriage to keep back the enthusiastic throng of people. AS the procession moved along the mass of humanity cheered until their throats were sore The like was never
 before seen, and will never be repeated. MT. Davis is in good health and cheerful He
 looks very much as he did twenty years ago except that he has full grey beard. His step is firm and elastic, form erect, with manly bearing, proud and courtly. From the dome of the Capitol Union flag is float ing. Another f1utters over the very spot where MT. Davis stood when he was presi- dent of the confederacy and became the peo- ples' chief and burden bearer
 Owing to the continued rains last night and to-day the programmed was changed as to the place of speaking The steps of the Capitol were selected. Thousands of people listened to the addresses of Jefferson Davis and General John B. Gordon despite the rain. MT. Davis stood on the historical spot where he was inaugurated in 1861. The Capitol grounds, balconies and steps were iammed with people. About 2:30 p. m. the sound of the approaching band was heard and in 8 few moments the shouts and cheers of the immense crowd made the ground tremble. General Pettres, the grand marshal,
 and staff headed the procession. Then fol- lowed MT. Davis. escorted by Mayor Reese of this city, General Gordon and Governor O'Neal and Misses Davis and Gordon ac- companied by Captains Bragg and Sayrie The various State mill tary companies and associations of veterans made up the remain der of the procession. Mayor Reese in intro ducing MT. Davis said:
 My countrymen-With, emotions of profound reverence introduce the highest type of southern manhood, the Hon. Jefferson Davis.
 Prolonged cheers greeted the appearance of the venerable MT. Davis and it was several minutes before silence reigned Mr. Davis looked hale and hearty, although he has re- gently been indisposed, and spoke in a clear ringing tone, making it easy for all of his auditors to hear him plainly. He spoke as follows:
 tempt to express to y1d %s the deep qualification fore feel the more deeply grateful because it is for sentiment far dearer to than myself. (ADDlauS6.) ed ordeal of a war which Alabama did not seek. When ton she @ sought peaceable solution. That being denied her the thunders of war came ringing over Gray haired sres and beardless boys eagerly r,sIl ed to the front. It was that war which Christiani ty alone approved-the holy for defense We'll to use the farmers phrase-that they might have been called seed corn, moving with eager steps and I have also looked upon them when the boys and OCT eyesa mothers we ping crept. Those days have passed. Many of those boys have They live in the memory and their spirits in the grand column above which is marching on with unfaltering steps toward the goal of berty. (Great cheering) It were vain to attenpt as have already said to express my gratitude to where stood when took the oath of office in 1881 coined me, then This shows that the spirit of southern liberty is not dead. joyous hope. with the full prospect of achieving all you desired, and you are wrapped in the mantle of
  foundly and does not obliterate the expression of your sentiments. felt last night as l approached 59s William afa 9ane GI me to the people of Montgomery and commended wield and which far exceeded my merritt felt say again that was coming to my home, coming to the land where liberty dies not and hero senti ments will live forever. (Applausa) I had been promised by my friends that should not be called upon to make speech and therefore vslll only tend to you my heartfelt thanks. God bless you, one and al old men and boys, and the ladies above all others, who never faltered in direst need.
 Enthusiastic and prolonged cheering fol- lowed the speech and MT. Davis, having taken seat, was forced to rise and bow introduced General John B. Gordon in a very appropriate speech.
 General Gordon spoke with much force and vigor and was heartily applauded. After the firing of one hundred guns by the Montgom- cry field artillery Mir. Davis, accompanied by Colonel Reese, returned to his carriage to which were hitched four beautiful -greys and was driven to the City Hall building. A re- ception was held in the office of the Alabama monument association. Crowds of citizens shook the hand of the venerable ex- President of the confederacy Not less than ten thousand visitors arrived in the city within the past two days, and had the weather been propitious at least five times that many would have been present to listen to the address. Tonight a theater party followed by German at the Joie de
 Vie club complimentary to Miss Davis was given Tomorrow at Ii o'clock the corner stone of the Confederate monument will be laid at Capitol Hill with appropriate Masonic and military ceremonies. MT. Davis will leave Friday morning for Atlanta to be pres ent at the unveiling of the Ben Hill monu- ment There was no disorder of any kind, despite the dense crowds.