Rensselaer Republican, Volume 18, Number 35, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 5 May 1886 — IN HONOR OF JEFF DAVIS. [ARTICLE]

IN HONOR OF JEFF DAVIS.

Crowds Flock Into Montgomery to Sec and Hear the President of the Confederacy. Wednesday, the 28th of April, says a dispatch from Montgomery, will ever be memorable in the history of Alabama, in that, while calling out ringing oratorical pleas for the erection of a monument to the Confederate dead, the occasion has served for a grand demonstration in commemoration of the secession of Alabama, the establishment of the Confederacy, and the inauguration of Jefferson Davis as its President. Every locality was represented, and many adjacent towns and villages poured their entire population into the streets. The entire city waß gayly decorated, and the City Hall had United States flags fluftering out of every window. More Federal flags floated in Montgomery than at any time sinoe 1860. The private houses aud business houses all had a liberal supply of decorations and devices and words of welcome to Mr. Davis. The ex-Presi-dent of the Confederacy was driven in a carriage drawn by four milk-white horses to the State Capitol, which waa followed by an immense procession. Arriving at the State House, Mayor Reese introduced the guesErfo the vast audience." Mr. Davis, leaning on his cane, with the Federal flag over him and Confederate veterans before him, spoke in a clear, ringing voice, showing the deep intensity of his feelings, but without a tremor or pause, except when interrupted bv the shouts of his hearess. He said: "My friends, it would be vain if I should attempt to express to you the deep gratification ■which I feel at this demonstration. But I know that it is not personal, and therefore I feel more deeply gratified. Because it is a sentiment far dearer to me than myself. You have passed through the terrible ordeal of war which Alabama did not seek. When she felt her wrongs too grievous for further toleration she sought the peaceful solution. That being denied hoithunders of war came ringing over the land. Then her people rose in their majesty; gray-haired seers and beardless boys eagerly rusned to the front. It was that vr'tft which Christianity alone approved—a holv war fordefense Well do l remember seeing your gentle boys, 60 small—to usp a farmer’s phrase—that they might have been called seed-corn, moving on with eager step and fearless brow to the carnival of death; and I have also looked upon them when thoir knapsacks and muskets seemed heavier than the’ boys, and my eyes, partaking of a mother's weakness, flljed with tears. Those davs have passed. Many of them have found nameless graves; but they are not dead. They live in memory aud their spirits stand out, the grand' reservo of that column which is marching on with unfaltering steps toward the goal of constitutional liberty. [Applause.] It were in vain if I should attempt, as I have already said, to express my gratitude to yon. I am standing-now very nearly on the spot where I stood when I took the bath of office in 186 L Your demonstration now exoeeds that which welcomed me then. This shows that the spirit of Southern liberty is not dead. ILong and continued applause.] Then von were full ot joyous hopes. You had every prospect of achieving all you desired; and now you are wraj p d in the mantle of r gret—and yet that regr.t only manifests more profoundly, Ind does hot ol literate, the expression of your sentiments. , I felt last night as I approached the Excha ige Hotel, from the gallery of which vour peerless oator, William L. Yancey, introduced me to the citizens pf Montgomery, and commended me in language which only hts eloquence could vield, and which far exceeded my merit—l felt, I say again, that I was coming, to m v home—comiug to a land wb< re liberty dies not, and serious sentiments will live forever. [Applause.} " I have been promised, my friends, that I .should not be called upon to make a spe ch; and therefore I will only extend to you my heartfelt thanks. Gol Mess you, one add all, old men and boys, and the ladies above all others, who never' faltered in our direst need, [Loud and long-continued applause.] Nasby ought to be happy. Ho is not only unAlderoaan over in Toledo, but a member of eight of the most important Council committees. Mark Twain told n recent visitor that be could print sitigle copies of Gentral Grant’s book for 55 cents each. The sell-j mg price is $3.50. _ ' «“• —' .5 Miss Maf.yAxdeeson is reported to be negotiating for a large stock ranch near North Platte, Neb. A sox of Hannibal Hamlin is said to aspire to the Governorship of Maine.