Rensselaer Standard, Volume 1, Number 1, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 21 June 1879 — JEFF. DAVIS'S LATEST. [ARTICLE]

JEFF. DAVIS'S LATEST.

SPEECH OF THE HOARY-HEADED OLD REBEL AT PASCAGOULA. Special to the New Orleans Picayune. An invitation was sent to Mississippi City requesting Jefferson Davis to join in an excursion to-morrow. He answered that he would be happy to accept, but feared it impracticable. A 9:20 telegram announced he would arrive at 9:30. A committee was appointed to receive him. On entering the hall he was greeted with cheer on cheer; all rose, the ladies waving handkerchiefs and throwing flowery and boquets before him as he passed through the hall with the committee, of which E. Barksdale was chairman, who introduced Mr. Davis, saying that every Mississippian walked With loftier stride when Jefferson Davis appeared among them after the long and bloody night that had passed. Regenerated and free again, Jefferson Davis was welcomed to the hearts and homes of Mississippians. Mr. Davis said Mississippi was identified with his highest hopes, and he rejoiced to see her regenerated. It was charged that Mississippi had repudiated her honest debt, which was untrue. She paid all honest debts, crushed and bleeding from every pore, without a voice to raise in her own defense. That dark hour, thank God, had passed away, and Mississippians once more governed Mississippi: and through weeds, sackcloth and ashes exclaim in the language of Job, “I believe my avenger liveth.” Truth would prevail in final triumph. “From beginning to end,” he said, “in prosperity and adversity, when leading bodies of men are laden with chains in a dungeon, I have been true to Mississippi. I believe you have done right, and I do not feel that 1 have done wrong.” Thanking the press of Mississippi for their cordial reception, he predicted it would vindicate the past and point to higher roads of morality in the future. The women of the South during the war were most resolute. He said he never saw a Southern woman who had been reconstructed. The children of such women must rise to vindicate such principles. “Let no one,” said Mr. Davis, “suppose I am advocating revolution or preaching sectional strife, The re-establishment of such principles and great truths as lay at the foundation of this government was necessary. Nullification and secession began in New England and not in the South. Friends— : for all Mississippians are my friends, one and all; 1 love Mississippi, and I love Mississippians—God bless you all now and forever.” [Repeated applause and great enthusiasm.] The presieent proposed cheers for Mr. Davis.