The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-05-03
THE EVER LOYAL SOUTH. !"
How the "Hon. Jefferson Davis" Was
Greeted by the People Of Georgia.
The 'sEx-Presdent" Something More than
Ghost 'The Grandest Man of History
Expressions of Southern Feeling


THE TRIP TO ATLANTA.
Bome of the Expressions Given to the 'Patri-
otism of the South"
Excerpts from Atlanta Constitution of Saturday.
Captain E. P. Howell grasped Mr.. Davis by
the hand, and said: 1--WE welcome you to old
Georgia. where you are loved with an intensity
beyond expression" The music Of the bands,
the cheers of the assembled hosts, and the firing
of salutes greeted the entrance of the car into
West Point.
Mr.. Davis kept bowling to the right and to the
left. General Gordon, placing lis arm around
DIR. Davis's shoulder. said;
My friends simply come to say in behalf OF this
Een him to speak His heart well as his tongue is
full of eloquence but his years are almost gone and
1t is enough for US to look upon his face.
The following notes are self-exp.anatory:
WEST POINT, Ga April 3O.-Hon jefferson Davis
Dear Sir: We, the children of the West Point pub.
cschool give you glad greetn % this beautiful day
You have our love-forever will be enschrined in
hearts Blessings and peace be to you our great ana
good chief. THE CHILDREN.
WEST POINT, Ga, April 3O.-From one who fred
the salute Ringgo1d Ca while your way to
Montgomery in 1861. Accept this from the heart of
true patriot. MARK L. WHITMAN.
The most notable stop of the trip was that
made at LAGRANGE. It was Mr. Hills old home;
III a IdVOr1L6
gone by. The people had made such urgent
and special appeals to Mr.. Davis's heart that he
insisted upon detained stay. When the train
rolled in it found such a demonstration as
brought tears to Mr. Daviss cheeks. The wealth
of flowers in all possible designs was simply
marvellous.
Mayor Mcfarland, handing up an immense
Coral offering, addressed Mr.. Davis asking him
60 accept the offering and to place it upon ne
monument of Mr.. Hill
General Gordon, coming to the front said:
We forbade Mr. Davis to speak this trip, but
he would speak at the home of Ben HILL and ought
and woman in this Southern land is the home Of
Jefferson Davis.
Hogansville was soon reached, when DR..
Spalding went out and said:
Fellow citizens of Troup county: It is proud day
Tor the South when we have the privilege more
of looking into the face of grand old chiefain,
The President OF the Confederate States of America
whom now introduce to YOU He is unable to speak.
Mayor George Hllyer introduced Mr.. Davis at
Newman. He said:
Gsorgians of Coweta county: Much that was pain
full has faded. but nothing of honor glory has
ished and feelings for Mr.. Davis have undergone
change, only to become more gentle and ten
der. The sight of him arouses emotions such
but an overcharged heart feel and such as,
felt in but the feless heart will be stilled
now yield to your wishes and present him before
you.
Mr. Davis said:
Gsorgians, come to you Offering you tender heart
that has been true to you from the beginning claim
somewhat to being Georgian myself for my father
Georgian and fought for you in the Revolution
nry war. am forbidden to speak, but trust that
my heart is full of what cannot say.
General Gordon was called upon, and said:
My friends, only say that ten years
younger than was week ago. This grand old State
will be younger and better for this experience, and
know we viii be ennobled by it.
Mr. Julius l.. Brown introduced Mr. Davis at
Palmetto thus:
Fellow Citizens, have the great honor of present
Ing to you who needs introduction, man dis
tinguished in every department of life into which he
has entered who whether under the stars and stripes
In Mexico under the stars and bars in the Con-
federacy; who, whether in victory or in defeat has
nobly illustrated Southern manhood and Southern
chivalry; whom will honor whenever and
where the right of selfgovernment is attested
and maintained. present to this assembly our
BILE old chieftan, Jefferson Davis.
Over the railroad track was an arch of ever
green's and flowers, wrapped here and there with
federal flags and the confederate flag of the
Palmetto Guards that went through the war. In
the top of the arcn was worked in evergreens
and roses Davis Welcome" The trees, depot,
and everything close by was clothed in cedar
ard flowers.
When Fairburn was reached, Mr.. w. A. Hemp
hill introduced the ex- President thus;
Ladies and gentlemen: l have the pleasure as well
as honor of introducing to you of the grandest
this world has produced Ia voice-Thats sol
"A hero who will live externally in the hearts of his
countrymen [voice-Amen la statesman and patriot
whom you love and for whom you would gladly die
confederate President-Jefferson Davis. Great
cheers
Mr.. Davis again presented himself, General
Gordon speaking for him, by saying.
My friends. he is too exhausted to speak, and has
been forbidden to do so. 1t is enough to look upon
his face.
When East Point was reached there were evil
dences of the growing crowds expected as At
lanta would be approached. The Introductory
speech was made by Hon. w. L. Calhoun, who
said:
Fellow-citizens Jefferson Davis is the most loyal
and distinguished son of the South. He has ever
been true himself true to his country and true
his God and now the shades of the evening of life
folding around him, it is grand spectacle to wit
ness that the of the people of the South are
cnging closer and still closer to him, and he lives
on, his will be brighter and brighter in the
memory of our people.
A little child was handed up to Mr. Davis,
upon whose lips he imprinted tender kiss.
At last after most eventful trip, one without
o precedent in history, the outer gates of
Georgias capital city were reached. and the hon
ored ex-President was the guest of the people of
Atlanta. Strong hearts warmed toward him;
and the thunders of applause from the tens of
thousands of Atlanta's throats testified to the
fact that the peoples elect was at home among
his friends once more.
IN ATLANTA.
Thirty thousand people awaited Mr.. Davis's
arrival
The streets in the neighborhood of the depot
were packed to their utmost capacity by men,
women aud children. who assembled early in the
morning and patiently waited, caring nothing
for either wind or rain.
At the corner of Pryor. they passed under two
confs derate flags, which they greeted with such
cheer, as thrilled through every fibre of those
that Ii,tened. Hats were snatched off and raised
high in the air. as evidence of the sacred regard
the warworn veterans had for the embIems that
represented the cause they loved so well and
fought for SO heroically. When the head of the
column reached the Markham House. Command
er Wright called halt, the band ceased its stir
ring strains, and the veterans formed on the
north side of the street. facing the depot
In the meantime. six thousand school children
Sznra gathered on Pryor and Peachtrae streats