The Milan exchange. (Milan, Gibson County, Tenn.) 1874-1978, 1886-05-08
IN MEMoRIAM.

An Immense Crowd Attend the Confederate
Monument Ceremonies At Montgomery
Ala.-Jenerson Davis and General Gordon
Address the People.
MONTGOMERY, Ala, April 29.-Yester-
day will ever be memorable in the history
Of Alabama. Every locality was repre-
sented and many adjacent towns ana VIII
lagos poured In their entire population into
the streets and at an early hour the side
walks were so densely packed That locomo-
ton was difficult 1t had ralned all night
aud poured down until ten o'clock and the
hour for delivering the address by Jefferson
Davis and General Gordon was changed to
two p. m. Instead of going to the park
1t WAS decided that the speeches should be
made from the very spot where MIR. Davis
took the oath of office as President or
the Confederate States This change was
made because of the muddy condition
of the park. The entire city was gaily
decorated and the city hall had the United
States flags fluttering out OF every window.
Pictures of Confederate Generals were
fastened to the outside walls, while the
names of r. E. Lee, "StOnewalr' Jackson,
Albert Sidney Johnston, Robert E. Rodes
and many other Confederate Generals APP
peared OH streamers. More Federal flags
foated in Montgomery than at any time
since 1860. The private houses and bust
ness houses all had liberal supply of deco
raiiOnS and devices and words of welcome
to Mr.. Davis.
When the procession arrived at the Capt.
toll gate the way was cleared for Mr.. Davis,
the military being formed so as to prevent
Overrunning the building and grounds be-
fore he had reached the place. He was
seated near the historic spot he occupied
February s, 1861. Arranged in front was n
place for the press and on the sides aud in
the rear were members of various Organiza-
lions interested in the building of the mon
ument which it is proposed to erect on the
hill Immediately north OF the Capitol.
The people, men, women and chill
dren, were packed from the steps to
the front gate, and while it was impossible
for n great part of them to hear they
stood in their places out of respect for Mr..
Davis and desire to see him. Being In
troduced by Mayor Breeze, Mr.. Davis APP
peared, leaning upon his cane, and in a
clear voice spoke briefly of war times and
the salts acton it gave him to be present
on this occasion.
General Gordon was then introduced and
after reviewing the stirring scenes of the
war and praising the conduct of the South
ern people during and since that time, con
Guided as follows:
'And now, let the manly virtues OF the
fathers and the stainless purity of The
mothers dwell richly in their sons and theiI
daughters; let personal and public hOnOl
be the commanding law, both of YOU
thought and your action; let your represen
tatives, State and Federal, still maintain
uctarnished regulations for incorruptibllitl
iiNJffice; let your fidelity to the whole coun
try be as conspicuous in peace as was you
devotion to the South during devastating
war; let the South's plighted faitl
to the permanent union of til,
States and the legitimate results
of the war be forever unquestiOne1
let all Constitutional policies that tend t,
unite more closely the sections and people
and at tile same time to promote simplicit.
and economy Of administration, find among
you their sincerest and most enlightened
champions. Then, In the march of the Re
public TO its high destiny, the South vii
resume her place with the ranks at the hea
Of the column, and the names of Southern
statesmen and Southern soldiers will liv,
among the most conspicuous and honored il
cur country's history"
To-day will be another big day. Til
corner stone of the monument is to be lai
with impressive ceremonies, in which MI
Davis, General Gordon and other distil
guished COnfederates will be present an
take part. The Masonic fraternity will Ia
: the corner stone and Mr. Davis will put
in place.