Year: 1871

FuIl Report of Jeff. Davis Speech I'm Au-
gusta, Ga. - Punishment with Him
"Played out'-Northern Loyal Men, he
Reasserts, ''FeeI Their Inferiority" to
Southern Traitors and Rebels.


We have fun report, given by Democratic
authority, of jeff. Davis speech at Augusta,
Ca, on Thursday night last, in defense of the
Lost Cause and in defiance of loyal sentiment in
the North and the South. To those in the North,
if any there be, who believe that the old re-
bellious spirit in the South is crushed, and
who urge that for that reason bygones
should be bygones, and the Southern leaders all
be pardoned and readmitted to all the rights
and privileges they forfeited by their treason,
this speech is submitted as worthy of more than
passing consideration, with the reminder that it
was delivered in the presence of many of the
most influential democratic" citizens of Geor-
gia and by them loudly applauded. This is
the speech


My Friends and w-ctiEensof Georgia: feel
that have peculiar claim upon the people of
Georgia. and that the people OF this State have, also
peculiar claim upon me. My father was citizen
often listened m the days of my boyhood as he told
to me traditions Of the great Revolution. 1t was in
this city Of Augusta-this ancient old town upon the
banks OF the Savannah-that my father, then but
mere boy, came to join the Revolutionary forces,
and enlisted beneath the American flag. 1 am
crime to feel proud OF this sre-to glory in his
devotion to the of the rght-to remember with
exultaton his services in defence OF liberty, then,
my friends, is it also crime to oppose despotic
Capitalization OF power and uphold the right OF
StaLe TO Wlt1QraW IrOUl u Voluntary compact en-
tered into only for the preservation Of the freedom
OF them all. III this Is crime, then am L q
criminal, and it is the only ohense of which
4 have been guilty repeat Georgians, that
] claim to be of Georgia descent, aud 1 glory
in my lineage. Although the distinguished
gentleman who welcomed me to your city, with
words so kindly and 80 eloquent, has said that you
pay trloete to me by your presence here tonight
cannot think that he was correct in this remark
1t is not a tribute to me individually, but because
you feel that am one OF yourselves that you come
TO do me honor. And while aIn fully aware of this
do not IMAGINE I feel at
ii, or that my vanity is wounded because you honor
me only as the representative OF your cause. That
cause Is dear to me-more precious even than life
(applause)-and glory In its remembrance.


Just here let me say to you that well know how
gans and members OF q certain faction. am well
aware Of the eagerness with which every word Of
is distorted and used in furtherance OF designs upon
my people, and hence dare not speak to yeu as
but / cannot speak Many memories Of the past are
struggling in my brain, but must be silent. Though
must not SPEAK 1t no no doIad Tear for myself which
been punished for my crimes and have experienced
the worst which could be imposed In the cant
language Of the day, punishment with me is 'played
out" The worst that can be done has been done,
and have no more to fear II speak it is not
myself, but you who would be injured for unfortu-
nately, additional wrongs can yet be heaped upon
you. Therefore, II / claim merit for anything, 1t
w be for silent My simplest NsS wSTSs
friends, go to your homes" and a Congress
sional investigating committee happened to





that ] directed you to go off aud
Join the Kuklux. daughter and applause.) Filled
with that jealousy which springs from the knowl-
edge Of their nferiorty and the justice Of your pre-
tensions, and conscious OF broken covenants and a
violated constitution. they mstrust every move
ment, and tremble with fear when they think that
right may again prevail (Appause.) But wrong
cannot always be triumphant. / Will say nothing
and YOU must do nothing, even though tyranny
oppresses grievousy upon you. Forbear for
a season, and day will come when al
will yet be well, / may not, nor may
some OF you live to see 1t, but
it is surely coming ApplaQse.) He who reigns
above and lives always will see that justice is done
He will not allow the wicked TO always remain IN
power, nor the righteous to be oppressed. We can
wait until that day comes, and in the meantime, be
quiet. 'Tis an old and wise saying that good biting
DOG never barks much. II we wait patiently, D
sense Of justice viii yet return to the people Of the
United States, or an opportunity will come when
our rights can be gained, and not only oul
rghts-the rights Of the South-but the rights OF
all the people; the rights which were fought fol
and obtained at the point of the sword Ia the
first revolution (Applause) But though
cannot and should not speak, fear that where the
mind and the heart are both so full will no
be able to restrain my words. 1 cannot think one
thing and say another and unless the honest emo
tions OF my soul can be expressed do not care Il
speak. / thank you, gentlemen, for your kindness
and feel deeply touched at its exhibition May GoC
foster and preserve you. IL ever the day come
when l can speak freely will be among you anC
say to you all that is in my heart, TIL then fare
WELL and may the great God be with you always
(Appause)