The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-02-19
OBSERVE DAVIS
 DAY AT CAPITAL
  Gov. O'Neal Makes Princi-
 pal Address PICTURESQUE SCENE
At Ball Last Night Given By Ladies' Memorial Association the Ladies Were Dressed in Colonial
 Costumes

Montgomery. February 1s.-tSpecial)- The semi-centennial of the formation of .he Confederacy and of the inauguration of Jefferson Davis as president of the Southern States of America was cele- brated In this city at the capitol today with appropriate exercises.
 The principal address of the day was delivered by Governor O'Neal. who was preceded by Gen. George p. Harrison commander of the Alabama division, United Confederate Veterans.
 pr. Thomas M. Owen. director of the state department of archives and history, presided over the exercises.
 At g o'clock tonight the Ladies' Memo rial association, who had the exercises In charge, entertained at unique Con- federate ball. In the receiving line were Governor and Mrs. O'Neal. Lieutenant Governor and Mrs. Walter D. Seed, and the majority of the leading women of the city, who arc interested in organization work. The women who participated in the ball wore handsome colonial costumes while the men appeared in evening dress. Members of the official state family, or the 1911 legislature and of the supreme court participated in the function. whlch was unanimously pronounced one or the most enjoyable events of Its kind ever held in the city.
 Picturesque Scene
 Throughout the day the city presented n picturesque scene. At the capitol exer- cises there were to be found old Confed- crate veterans who officlated at the time that President Jefferson Davis was lnaus- rrated as head of the Confederate states Today the orators stood on the very spot where the chieftain was inaugurated pres tdent. A brass star on tho porch points out the place where the president was in- augurated.
 uithin the capitol were to be found decorations in the room which has been get aside to the memory of Davis' in which are to be found some of the relics of the old Davis homestead. The bier on which the body of thu president rested after his death occupies a conspicuous place immediately within the door lead ing to the capitol, and 1t was today asaln viewed by the hundreds who participated fin the semi-centennial celebration
 O'Neaps Speech
 Governor O'Neal's speech, in part. was e follows:
 .Tmpartial history will do justice 10 his Jefferson DavisD memory. With each receding year. when the passions en- gendered by the mighty conflict Of the nast have subsided, the purity of his motives. his earnest conservation to duty and his lofty patriotism and greatness will stand out more clearly defined in the judgment of posterity.
 aoThe storm of hatred. rnisrepresenta- t,on and islander which swept the coun- try after the close of the civil war, and which selected him as its conspicuous victim, failed to affect his self-poise or bring from his lips one word of bitter ness Against him were hurled all the poisoned darts of islander and vitupera- ton: but they fell harmless at his feet. Of him it may be truly said:
 ~T.ike some tall ciin that rears iV
 awful head
 swells from the vale and midway leaves
 the storm;
 Though round its base the rolling clouds
 may spread.
 Eternal sunshine settles on its head.' '''Thougn ne enQuTed ail tHe pdHsS oi defeat, no conquering hero. fresh from triumph or wearing the laurels Of vic- tory ever won so permanent an abiding place in the hearts and affections of his countrymen.
 'ae was our representative, typical of that magnificent civilization which com menced with Washington and ended with Lee Brave in battle, with a polish and culture a deep learning and honesty of purpose and courage in action, typical of southern civilization when in Its flower, he was justly recognized as one who was born to command.
 If we of today can but display in all the arts of peace the same courage, de- votion to principle and patient fortitude which MT. Davis and his compatriots showed during the long years of weary struggle against overwhelming numbers and resources, we will prove ourselves worthy Of our descent from a race of men whose blood freely flowed at honors s call and never stained where it fell.
 ''We have no words of apology on our lips for him who bore so patiently and bravcly the burdens and sorrows of his