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j^jslN M0STG0S1KRV. nrrFUVIKW WITH HIM BY OUR Fecial coEBBSPONOmW. Grind Old Hu Appears-IIalr „ Little White—Ho Make, a * Zf'> *i"' el ‘- 4,or,, ? a '* r Warmly Itocelreil. Ljo****. ALJL ’ April ‘ ’ d „; and Bloomy, nnd with ram ^ down i» torrents. It began yea- It afternoon ami continued daring the '■ The general expectation was that Jjtbad been rained and a postpone- l^e necessary; bnt about 9 o’clock , |jn c(a .. t( i, tho clouds lifted, and b tbe rifts the sun began to shine, under thi" promising sign, tho city j its holiday attire. ' hotels, crowded to suffocation, soon *ied themselves, and to the rant throng ]'blockading the sidewalks, train after •dded its living freight, until in the ess rod' 0 " of the cit J r P r0 8"*s »■» »ny jou was difficult. The city presented LniScent appearance. It had been faste st systematically decorated. Flags „ Mtions by the tens of thousands hung edtd from public buildings and private Erery place where there was Euneii with colors, but upon the large the display was lavish. Eichango Hotel, where Mr. Davis ippinp, was draped in tho tri-colors, jjjjjraa the top ran the inscription: ••WIUONOB TUB BBAVK." verthe portal of this building where Pari! entered, hung a great flag of tho on. It may interest the suspicious and -aensitiro loyalists to know that as he ad his gray hairs bruslied against this L. am ) he neither flushed nor shrunk „jti contact Upon another building street, profuse decorations bore the nd "Our itero.” citv building or hall showed a _ou at each window bearing the i of some Confederate generals. A portrait of Davis hung from the top, bfusthila fine representation of the federate monument, the corner stone ihich «ill be laid to-morrow. Pictures of ,, U. Clay tou and of Gen. Lomax were hire displayed. Home of the private n were completely covered in front _ strips of red, white and bine, j 10o’clock bunds were playing, cavalry artillery dashing about, and uniforms jgtM streets, bnt at assembly time it inootmced that the speaking had been Spoiled until 3 o’clock. ISTOMSW wait MB. DAVIS. THE MACON WEEKLY TELEGRAPH Tl iv- AY, MAY 4, 1886.—TWELVE PAGES. a?iv. D< / 8a ? ? ag8; “ a floating upward, I heard the far faint strains of Dixie, 1 where the procession was forming. The great connthean columns behind rue were draped with immense flags and pennanla. Unnm jacks and banners of all oonntries were twined sgamst thebnflding. Thousands of people were grouped on the terrace, the eapitol steps, the portico and balconies Ladies were present in great numbers, and at a little distance their bright colors grouped against the wall, and columns ”f the buildings formed a beautiful picture. Around the reporters’ tables were gathered a soon of penciled knights seenrely en- trenohed in comfortable chairs. In the balcony just above the spot where Mr. Davis stood and took the oatli as President of the Confederate States in 1861, to day ~ “J r °°p of pretty girls, a bouquet 8 & s npon 010 bills of Alabama. . The decorations on this building were de signed and put np by Frank T. Poster an ex-Lonfederate soldier, who ronfidentiallv informed n friend that in 18G1. he did not expect that twenty-five years later he wonid be decoraUng a house in honor of Jefferson Davis. The flag that was flying from the stand-pipo in tho rear of the eapitol, once nbont tbe body of lighting Joe kited tbe opportunity to seOnre n mect- vith Ur. Davis, a diffionlt task, as ho locked in bis room, with a policeman 'door, ami in thu bands of » very oon- itiona committee. Bnt tbe influence of ov. Watts, Mr. Davis's former Attor- G'aaa!, opened up a way, even through commit!"; and I was ushered into the t shore sat the ex-I’resident of the Miikj. lie was reading a letter as I ltd, bat instantly rose npon the intro- ioa and came forward. I hod heard call'd «-t're and stiff, and I was not and lor tbe warmth and cordiality of prwting. toald be bud to describe the effect of dasp nad pr,«sne«. ft was like tlio 'ran ot the south wind npon tho cheek, loacbolold aine to the lips. Ilisindi- ilitj di-irms and overwhelms. Ills e it lo» and penmnsive. Tho infinite feoess of the grand old man, and ths nof purer that larks behind the eyee ifd on me, i can never forget. 9ft are interesting when they snr- i a great man. The trifles of this ng x're these: motioning mo to s seal 1 wntly gesture and excusing him- moment, be resumed the resiling of ter. At he approached the end, he •lowly: " Is it not strange that people day write 1, tiers, write plainly until 'go it, when they spread their namea;” that moment the door opened, nnd «ra a group of cullers. The letter, .'•r®** 10 me, was withdrawn. After . * " ' sine a break in the stream ot or«. and 1 asked Mr. Davis if he was jH to Oeorgia He replied: »», 1 «n going to Atlanta.” “im earns the stream of callers, and ng no break in the line, I, too, threw adieus and withdrew. OVVIS AM) ms ATrOBNEY-GKNKHAI.. most delighted man I have seen in tgomrry ts ex-Governor Watts, who was waej-fJencral under Mr. Davis twenty •go. The two have never met since S ,on Ly" ,er,, *y. when tbe former led Mr. Davis’ special car. They d together, says an eyewitness, fell . . "IS*** o™" and wept. Gov. •ajs Mr. Davis does not look s hit mui twenty years ago, except in the P* ^ lH Other* any no is look- “ interview Col. Sorcws, who went to 7" npo'I Jbe special train for Mr. -’“J•'bnt Miss Winnie, his daughter, “T* a reb ** yell or seen any do- L,b°® "> honor of her father, having n at lechmond the lust year ot the Jtwyonng lady sat near her father, u * ‘, e roKr platform of the train, c‘'*' io n •«•«’ station added cheers 11 * 1,1 ^ onor of tlio crest uncut, •'bed np ont of her eyeafur. 5avi»[ M ^jri.'whelineii. lie stood port . "me upon the lower step, friends foared that he off. Thu scene hi, a. b" Pilled font wi |H . H Bil “l’'y Indescribable. horses driven by the same -1C k, i' ,e l)aT ‘s oxer the same its I. : PtHncing up the street id lit 8 ,f wh of •'re, that waved and her,)! T,, *“ of a “igbty furnace, in the a 11**7 , m *n, stood forth dis- Hht , co light, and bayonet, button w»Uv 8>V<! b sc b the HarJiea of the “''"ymevoment. "d u hi 11 !* 1 *,b° old man’s heart was ••obbvd 0 ht00< * °P “d bowed nnd al- fwnmrymen, my countrymen.” * ORAHD OVATION'. Tiif. raocKasiON. The scene as the proeession came np the avenuo was inspiring. Tho order or ad vance was as follows: Detachment of mili tary, Knights of l'ythias. Masonic bodies, carnages with Mr. Davis and family, and members of his oabiuet. Tb* G«v. ernor and Gen. Gordon with an escort of Confederate veterans on each side, chair man and members of the hourd of trustees of the Soldiers' Monument Association, ladies of the Memorial Association, a de tachment of military, cwrrisges with judges of the Supreme Court and other judges and Slate officers. Federal officers, city council of Montgomery, citizens in carriages, citi zens on horseback, citizens on foot. As Mr. Davis dismounted and usoended the terrace, he uncovered his white head, and the cheoring became deafening. The band instantly struck up * ‘hail to the cmrnr. ” Following Mr. Davis, who leaned npon the Mayor s arm, came ex-Uovernor Wntts nnd Miss Gordon, Gen. Gordon nnd Miss Itecse, Miss Davis and Capt. Ilragg. Quiet was with difficulty restored, and then Mr. Davis rose to speak. His sleuder figure was drawn up to its full height and his hnnd, not his weight, rested upon his Btick. His black suit was relieved by a large expanse of shirt front and broad ouffs, and three plain gold studs relieved the expansive shirt front. A plain gold chain, from which dangled a little gold horseshoe, stretched across his vest. One open white rose shone upon his coat lsppel and was evidently pinned on by a lady, since the atom was up«ard. Thohnsh that nettled upon the crowd was intense. It lasted bat a moment before it was broken by bis own voioe. Yet in that moment a panorama rose beforo my eyes, and a great tragedy was enacted hero twenty-five years ago by the same man. What a return it was! He came again up the same street to the same people, to speak his brief piece on almost tho same spot. What a re turn indeed! The scarred and maimed veterans who surrounded him to-day were boys then, many of them; tho old men, gray like himself, were then iu their vigor. Be tween these two memorable scenes rolled a panorama of twenty-five years and slept half a million men. I seemed to tee the white smoke roll out towards Homtor, and to hear the echo of that gnn go thundering over the land. Manassas with its struggling linos flashed into view, and Federiekabnrg, Soven Pines, Malvern Hill, Gettybnrg, young ropabllo, destined to only fonr yrurn ot met.- orlo life n nation, but an eternity of renov Here the Chief Executive cf that young RopubU* (U first and it* last Pro-Merit -called by tbe united voice of the repreaenlnllteo of bis people, modestly tut firmly aaaumed the atupeLdoua re>pon»ibi!tty of his high office. I may be pardoned, ereu iu hie presence, a brief allnab n to two memorable oc casions—tbe only two—uron which it was my priv ilege to meet him from 1861 to 1 Mi5. The occasione illustrate tbe very climax lu the antitheais fcf for- tune. The one was in viotory, the other In defeat. On tho ono he waa a President; on the other a pris oner. On the one occasion he rode with lofty bear ing on the battle-field of the first Mauaftaas, the con stitutional commander-in chief of a victorious army; on the other he lay incarcerated In Fortress Monroe, the vicarious sufferer for his vanquished people. As 1 saw him in that first great conflict of the Confederacy, with the shouts of victorious legions in his eare, and the glory of Utile on bis face, he waa in the meridian blaze of his fame, command ing the unqualified confidence of his Houthern countrymen aod the attention of Christendom, liut as a prisoner, stripped of all power save the power to endure, sn«tained by that majestic spirit which no force but death .could conquer, awaiting his judicial trial and all Us consequence* will) a re pore of mind, an equipoise and dignity of demeaU' or rarely equaled and never excelled—it waa then jWta \ ountl bimnelf to tbe hearts of his people in deathless affection and tree to the sublimes! height of tho morally heroic. Of these two »cene». the one in the Fortrees waa more piofonudly imprrn- •ivH. Its lesson is of inestimable vain * to tbe young men of our country. It teaches that no re vulsion in political fortunes, however sudden or extreme, can overwbe tu or crush the matt whose aims are lofty and whose life is blameless. To m; JUjwpnury Uidgci, Shiloh and ft hundred ■mm lire toxty ana wnose lire is blameless. To my mind, great and grand as he waa in the hour of hia most tplendid triumph, he wan greater and grander •till in the hour of hia deepest humilia'ion. Aud when alienations and bitter memor.es are gone, when tho crucial test of historical analysis shall be fully, fairly and trwihfu ly mido - then his name a d hia fame, hia conspicuous services to the coun try before thrawar, his unrivaled Gtato japer* aud ffiaal vnUfcrsKccs daring ths war, and hia moral elevation and niatchlens fortitude an prisoner of Htate after the war, will command universal respect aud challenge anqudifled admiration. The third and last thought snggetted by yonr committee’s invitation is that the occasion appeals to our "patriotism." I embrace thi* truth in its broadest significance. Tola ••memorable event ypon historic ground? will assuredly increase the <4resgth and enlargo the scope of tho "patriotism" of inis I>eople. The natural, logical, inevitable issue of this and ail anaiagous events must be to enhance tbe seif-respect, anginent the self-reliance, exalt the manhood and heighten ths appreciation of this people for their past history and achievements, and therefore intensify their love of country. The con verse proposition is equally t/ue. Should we build no monuments, write no histories, cherish no mem ories of the men and the deeds which truthful his- torv would make immortal, we wonid sap the most solid foundations of our manhood and bring cer tain decay to the patriotism of onr people. Ths soldlsr or the citizen of the North or the doutli who would frown npon scenes like this in either section, who does not esteem the renown wou by both armies in tho late war, as emicbuient of the history aud aliment for the patriotism of the whole people, is narrow in conception and jaundiced in vision. The thought of Lord BollngbrOke was the true one, that "patriotism mast be founded on great Wherever! turned iny eye* I seemed to see the gray ranks mah and hear the far off cheers of victorious troopa. Oat npon the bine acroca the hills, in atremnloaa mirage, rode the great ships Alabama, Hhenandoflb, Sumter, Merrimuc, and bevond, half hid In the mints, the banner in the sky. Only a moment the changing arena was visible. The words of the great orator olosod up tho gap, and the present only lived beforo i. inn clear, bell-like voioe, he aaid: MR. DAVIH 8 8PKXOH. My friends, it would be in vain if 1 should at tempt to express to you the deep gratification which I feel at this demonstration; but I know that it is not personal, and therefore 1 feel more deeply grateful, because it la a sentiment far dearer to me than myself. You have passed through the ter- ribla ordeal of a war, which Alabama did not seek. When she felt her wrotge too grievous for farther toleration she sought a peaceful solution. That being denied her, the thnndereof ear came ringing over the land. Then her people rose in their majeety. Gray-haired eiree and beardless boys eagerly rushed to tho front It was that war that Christianity alone approved—a holy war for defence. Well do I remember teeing yonr gentle boys, *o email, to nae a farmer’s phase, that they might have been called seed corn, moving on with eager step and fearless brow to the carnival of death, and 1 have also looked npon them wheu their knapsacka and mus kets eetmed heavier than the boys, and my eyes, partaking of a mother’s weakness, filled with tears. Those days have passed. Many of them have found nameless graves, bnt they are not dead; they live In memory and their spirits stand ont the grand reserve of that column which la marching on with unfaltering step toward the goal of constitu tional liberty. [Applanse.l It were in vain if 1 ehonld attempt, as I have already aaid, to express ay great gratitude to you. I am standing now very learly on tbe spot where I stood when 1 took the oath of office in 1861. Your demonstration now exceeds that which wel comed n.e then. This shows that the spirit of Houthern liberty is not dead. (Long and continued applause.] Then yon were foil of Joyous hopes; you had every r respect of achieving all you de- aired; and now you are wrapped in the mantle of regret. And yet that regret only maolfesta more profoundly and does not obliterate the expreiu ion of yon* sentiment*. I felt last night a* I approach ed the Exchange Hotel, from the gallery of which your peerless orator. William L. Yancey, introduced ainrirav, 01 }"everbefore accorded , 1,1 »il this m, \r.._ t.A . <t wt'fl th o^_. M ? n i » 1 »^*P d »«P* S.XfSrSXSt-. *i th*>n r h ® *° demount. wh*n-i{ bim onco before, rafw?2.* fi « l ‘‘ i »g btfora the Lanier Then it was the gZ/T 0 **' 1 {hat Knrrounded him J 'Hou„b ‘ °° kcd in wfr ® »or* ,he cto * d bad atm,] «« *uoi» drifting toward ^ 'j lil 0 *! ’ tand " n D° n the bill at nix* *x«nue, had secured tl. n. * iexxacea. From where I 'li«W*^ 1 w . on,lfrt,ll lx beautiful. V? M * n *»•' Alabama Ld 1,11,1 seaward, IiAnwra exerl.ating hills, on eft--* “ecini.l fa,rest. with iU grove me to the citizens of Montgomery, and commended mein language which only his eloquence could yield, and which far exceeded my merit—I felt, I say again, that I waa coming to my boms, coming to a land where liberty dies not and aerions senti ments will live forever. (Applanse.l I have been promised by my friends that I should not be called npon to make a speech, and therefore I will only extend to \on my heartfelt thanks. God bless yon. one and alt old men and boys, and the ladies above sll others, who never faltered In onr direst need! (Load and long continued applause | During Mr. Davis’a speech the cheering wan almost incesKant. Once when he em phasized the statement that Southern lib erty wan not dead, be struck hia breast and the petals of the shattered rose fell at his feet like snowflakes. When he dotted the band played “Dixie” amidat the most intense excitement, and the speaker rose and bowed right and left a dozen times. General O’Neal then introduced General Gordon, who spoke as follows: oKNKIUL GORDON’S SPKBCIL Mr. CiiiTiXiDi Uniix Broiibb Bolhixi* *w> Fr.Li.ow OrrusNit: Tbe Invitation of your commit- to. found m« onXTMMd with th. ramand eoalllrta of Important buslnt.. enpKMumla; but it would bar. boot aterptrt bad |E« burduu upjm ma Iwd ton-fold grramr. Tbat togowl clowd with tow. 1m- prutoln word.: "It will to u -oawwW. ra* «£• kutcrieg gmmd. thu inrftdiow oppfuf. to gmr gain- “pTrtvAp. DO inor. appropriate Uno of Uoushloould be punoed by m« thaa th. on. aucfootod by Uw. 01 to*thi. d.y will b. ■toratouto.” htowu- tho monum.nl wkooo louadatlonawoaroatoombtod aswsssaraax^M Uoo of thooosraiia fld.llty. uoroioo pou.ou.iu ■ ■ulf-oacrlhru of the bnreot and hoal: of hor aosaH This ground la "AGtorfc"barauoo «'"“‘h.horne of a rare antedating thorrd ““by tecauso tbo Hpaateh taraltoro ■** **?” upon ihooe hulo Marly two hundrrd yoora ogo. D— Mine It wa» thf probable blrth-piuo • ad homo of Wr.thorford and Trrumwh; bul. more b». *i:-o h^re v.m ljorn the ’-txmfederati* America-- Here, amM-t the P*»yw* — -..I.: frend fn <-C j .Acwfi was cMstsnedtke principles end Hupportcd by great virtue*, therefore follows that the more commendable tbe principles end the higher tbe virtues which moved and supported the course of each sectiou in the late war, the more life-giving is the nutrimeut Afforded to the patriotism of oti by tbeir contemplation. Let oecb section, therefore, while epprecUting the viz* tuee of the other, add to the sggregste patriotism of the country by perpetuating in brass au<1 marble sbsfts end granite piles tne valor of its sons, anr] ciublszon every page of Its history with the glory of their achievements. I am not of those who sympathize with the spirit of that nerrow though patriotic citizen of England who declared that high praise of tbe Remans was detraction of tho HriUm*. Nor can I supprels con tempt for that chort-alghted atateeusnship in this country which soee in merited tribute* to Confed erates implied detraction of tbe valorous Faderals. On the other hand, I acknowledge inferiority to no man In admiration of the broad liberality which prompted the efforts of Charles Humner to strike from tbe flage of the Union the names of the battle* between his estranged and embittered countrymen; yet I subscribe neither to its policy nor to ltsjwtec. All honor to tho spirit ot tbe man who. facing a storm of political wrath, could ilse to tbe lofty pur pose of ri Mitrtning all mementoes of North urn tri umph over his 8ou hern countQrwenl All honor to tne eloquent utterances by which he sought to makn pmutirol hia magnanimous conucutiont Hut 1 utterly dissent from the opinion tbatminh oblit eration was essential to the fraternisation of tire sections or Jnat to the intrepid armiee of theUnion. The one thing eeaential to the manhood sad self- respect, and therefore, I repeat, to tbe pa triotism of the people, is that exact historic justice shall bo meted, tn mcA army and all sections, he* miditdoeg >l«^tr^tian^ ce«eei place In the breast of any (over of truth. "•Wab what measure ye mete, it «ball bo measured to you again." A just appreciation of the motives that impelled and of the heroism which sustained each army and section In their Tiiantlo conflict is the symbol as well as sustenance of patriotism Illiberal criticism Is not only unpatriotic—It is irrational. Merited encomiums of Houthern heroism is implied cnlogv of Northern prowess, which. Inspired by devotion to tbo union of tho Htate* and sirataimcl through privations and blood by tbe profuundest convictions, brought at Inst thi* lion-hearted sec tion to defeat and surreuder. On the other hand, laudation* of the great commanders of the-Army of tho Potomac" and of their fearless followers and the monuments built to tbeir memory are monu ments also to Lee and hi* barefoot and hungry heroes, who for four bloody years kept those vast numbers at bay, and in the space of three year* defeated aud forced from the supreme command at least five of these renowned Federal Captain*. And now, withont th# pnsaibiUty, 1 trusk of being misconstrued in spirit or purpose by either the North or tbe South, I will group together some of the indisputable facts connected with that tnluhty straggle. Justice to tbe conquered South, to tho»e who fell aud to those who »i>v%ived, as well as to their descendants, demand* the production and re production of these facte nntll they become famil iar In evary household In tbe land. Truth, aslf-re- spert and Houthern manhood demand U. Patriot ism itself demands it. The statesmanahlp and spirit of liberality of the North will «anction it The dau- ger is that Injustice will be done to the conquered and not to the wtiqueror. In the average estima tion of mauklnd, victory vindicates, while defeat dooms to misconstruction. Deeply Impress id with this portentous truth. I wish t were able to impress every Houthora mind and sustain all Houthern hearts with the profound convictions which a somewhat extended Investiga tion baa left upon my own. Htaudlug near the ram ie if cf this, the nineteenth century, and looking backward through all history, modem and am-ient, civilized and barbaric, I aasert the belief, grounded npon carefnl thought and statistical Information, that no more exalted purposes ever inspired a people than those which impelled the Konth to enter her perilous straggle for Independence, nor ever Induced a freer and more ooetly sacrifice, nor led to a defenes, which, though unsuccessful, se cured a more deathless renown. I am not her# to disc ass the causes which pre cipitated the conflict When all is said that can be •aid in Jnatifioation or condemnation of tha oonne pursued by either section, it is sufficient for the purposes of this argument to radix# that ths South waa driven bv her apprehensions, whether ill or well founded, to seek eecnrity under a separate government; tbat she threw around tbat Infant government a cordon of breasts as d*voted and danniieM a* ever withstood ths shock of battle; and with lavish liberality gave to its defence her wealth and her blood, her prayers and her hopes, her man hood and her womanhood, and yteldcd at last only when exhausted In resources, bleeding at every pore, paralyzed and prootrete. I wish totnbroit one remark before giving tbe figures which evidence the enormous expenditure raiir ads ln the» section onposing them measured quarter of tho globe, rot* at UlO bottom of ? ’ < “ n \4\ The value of this agency fe ftroeecut- Bea< ° Naught is left bnt the mnnkood nnd womnuhood of thofioulh, which to-day clux ^ sg«ney in proeecut- will be appreciated when it is known that a recent able wnter aatiiuatiw -thst, with the aid of rattroada, NapoJron would have conquered Europe. The Houtheru NIaIm h*/l inva.taH in The Southern States bad invested fn manufactur ing establishment*-from wlm-h to ttupply the South ern armies, about *13«.2'A. M4, while the North had In like establishments atiout $873,689,731. he Kouth, including the border State*, contained a jiopulstion of II,441,129. They were confronted by Hratea containing a population of 19,649,114. To a»d to this disparity, the Southern State* funUahei to be Union armies more than300,000 men. Let it be fur-her remembered, tbat the movement **« made by the leading Houthern Htates without sn organized central government, without an srmy or o*V), practically without arms, artcnal*, ammuni tion or artisan*. This embryoulc power of poorly armed Htates wa« antagonized In the inclpiency of the movement by a g verument thoroughly organ ized and equipped, with at least tha nucleus of an army and navy; with magazines, munitions and mannfactorics for supplying all the impleihenta of When tho future historian shall consider this re markable inequality In territory, In wealth, in means of transportation, in population—in all the circumvtsnce* surrounding the section*--and when b«r»ha)l ad I to these tho still more finking dis parity in the numbers of men enlisted by each, be Will be lost in amazement tbat the struggle oould hove been prolonged to four years of Houthern resistance. Tbe official reports from Adjutant General's office show that the number of men enlisted in the Union arfiiies during the war was 2.869,133. The nntnber enlisted lu the Houthern armies during the war. as seMioated by the War Department, waa abont SOU,- Mwmen. Placing these man against man—800,000 against the HOO.ooo— there was Hurled against tbe Hotith more than 2,000,000 of men in excess of the numbers she had enlisted. These official figures, absolutely startling in their disproportion, will forever aticst au unrivaled oograms and consecration by Houthern troops. Let Him. who can point to tbe parallel. Both armies were composed priucipatiy of free-born American citizens. I he ranks (f both were largely filled by volunteers and not by mercenary hireling*. Doth gave allegiance to government* organized under Rtmilsr coiistltn- tions. guaranteeing political and religious liberty, trial by jury, taxation only with repre*entallou, and al) tho fundamental rights of equality and re publican freedom. ILth gathered inspiration from tho example of tbo fathers. Both were impelled by Uie aathoritmtivp sanction of a genuine patriotism; and every soldier who fell on either side turned liis pale face to heaven, a martyr to the right aa he understood it It Is ne. essary, therefore, to find in some other and peculiar elements of power the explanation for this ancxarnpled resistance made by the South to one of tbe most superb armies ever mustered for battle. Of tbe name race, born of a cor mon ances try, reared under the ssiue free Institutions, it would bare seemed safe to predict that with the disadvan tages under which the South labored she would be compelled to iiurrender to a force not greatlv super ior to her own. It is true tbat the rural life of the HotUhcrn people was promotive of individual inde pendence. and this independence was productive of indivldal heroUm, which waa one of tbe marked characteristio* of the Southern soldier. Bnt on the other hand, the Northern soldier waa more vlgorona in oobsH ution, more rohuttin physical energy, and was reared under a oiv ill cation aud domestic inst- tutions which developed, in a high degree, tho vlr- tue'of self-reliance. Where, then, are we to find the-*xplanatton of tbe astounding fact that it re quired to defeat the Houth In four years an enlisted forte more than twice as great as tbe entire Pnia- siafi armies which in wen monthaoverwhelmed and homlliated France? What is tho ssplanation, I agate Inquire, ot the unexampled record made by tbe Southern armies. It Caonot bo attributed to any want of bigb cour age lb tha soldiers of tbe North. Independent of the exhibitions of individual heroism by which all were Impressed who met them on the field, the ra tio of Federal lques in battln as coir pared to tbo lo**e * of European armies, tbe ruablng and oft- repeated onsets o.’ Northern phalanxes, with fixed bayonets, against the walla of fire from Hon them guns, and over tbo deed bodies of their comrades, piled in ghastly hecatombs before Houthern forts andjfcreastworks, beer witness to Federal oourage and devotion which nothing can ever impeach. Ill aasklng the smree of this marvelous exhibition of resit.ting power sho* n by the South, it is proper to take into the aooewnt tbe fact that she oocnplsd the interior line# of defence. But to my mind tbe • sufficient explanation— the “oomm cauio**"—is h* found in the greet, distinctive, primal thouaht .hat moved, dominated and inspired the Southern people. - If the Northern soldier was Impelled by the thought that a disruption of the Union endan- i!»red the permanence of onr fret Institutions, and that to save the Union was to aave Republican free dom on this continent, the Houth was movad, on tha other hand, by obcdlenre of "Nature's first domStTAi'UffJr North, it was ia the belief that would find safety under a government: homogeneous institution*. lier declaration of a deelre for peace and tbr a continuance of frieodly relations, was emphatic and sincere. If in the provreMof »uoc*eriiug war she cronned her borders aud bore her banners northward, it was with the hope of forcing tho withdrawal of Federal force* from her territory and of compelling recognition of her independence. Tbe one controlling, all pervad ing thought that throbbed through every fibre of the Southern brain was tbat the rights of th* states, the * not of defiance nor of couqueet, nerved her people. Tbl* was her panoply of power, this ths tower of heramexiog strength; this the individual inspira tion that made of ner individual soldiers individual heroes, who have left a record unequalad in the an nals of war. But we were not auoomsfnl. Circumstances da- creed it otherwise. Fai are caiue bscause success impossible. Rut deeper and more lodelible than the scars and lines left by tbe war on the face of the country is the lmprres made by your valor on the pages of hbtiory. A past so lustrous and a prriH’iit so full of endouragemeutare prophotio of a brilliant future. Do you aak for more *pe>:ifio basis for Ibis promise? It la in tbe striking contrast of your present condition, with past experiences, A few yean since yonr basks were bent under biir.lena incident to bloody strife, to defeat, and Hulmcquent political spoliations. You were suffer ing unprecedented privation*, consequent upon tbe drutructlon of four thousand millinu* of property. You were enduring the keen anguish of a prolonged rccouatniciioi ana of repressive and ooensive legis lation. which you solemnly believed unjust toyonr- ■elves and unnecessary for the national safety— a *y*t«ni of legislation, ths wisdom of which is lm- tu•*• bed by experience here and experience in Orest liriuln. aud which ia condemned by the recent and noble utterances of the moHt conspicuous, if not the most ablest statesman of tbs time.* You bore these trials w ith a fortitude and conrega worthy of the highest commendation. With rare and unpre meditated disturbance*, yon preserved the poa.-e, obeyed tbe laws and sought redress only by manly appeals to tbs sense of justice of yonr ooon- truuen. In the midst of an almost endless ex- douse of desolation and financial rain, yon heroi cally turned to tbe task of restoration, realizing that yours waa a "goodly laud,” aud, though parched and made bare l»y the fires of war, that a benignant God still bent abovs it tbe balmiest of skies sad peopled U with ths bravest of men and loveliest of womeu. With what snocess you have striven, yonr In.rva-ed comforts, yonr increased agricultural products, yonr increased miles of railway, your in creased mines and manufactures nufltolontiy attest Ainl t*t it a11, aud better than all, you have retained the respect of mankind and preserved yonr own. And now, 1st the manly virtues of tbs fathers and the stainless purity of te* mother* dwsll richly In their sons aud their daughter*; let personal and public honor be tbs commanding law both of yonr thought and of your action; let yonr representa tives, Htate and Federal, still maintain no tarnished reputation* for incorruptibility In office; 1st yonr Ui JlSlffnT bv »K.tta^Ttimis Of lhiir ’ th " whole country be as conspicuous in •• *M j.mr Kronen to th. SoaU. dorln, M- an exhibition of manrelons the South. They are also most em its* to ths persistent and Indomitable lendid courage of the North. WbUa mm to claim the credit due on a-count of •Itarity iu number* end resoura-* which U. H show, we must conc ede to the North of having secured tbe victory while jffe.naive warfare against Interior lines of oiu the d»y of our surrender, m> earnest xen, and is now, to apeak and act with PPHitli armies and section*, and. to the at- most of my ability, aid In promoting cordiality, re ciprocal respect and confidence throughout onr reunited country. Ths citizen who at this day can* not disease tbe facts withont prejudice is a partisan * J ‘ ‘ 4b> hi* and not a patriot—or els* a patriot enslaved b> I ■l introduce these statistic* by remarking that It ia difficult to obtain any adequate conception of the cost of that war to the country. Perhaps this gigan tic expenditure will be more readily appreciated iwhcn I state tbat if expended in steel tracks it would have constructed enough mils# of rati war to have reached more than sight times around ths whole earth. Bat let ns ooms to the details. The original colo nise which rebelled against the mother country nnd established their independence were thtrtren in number. Th* Houthern State* which sought tbeir indspsndemw were also thirteen in number. These thirteen, including the border Htate*. which were divided in nentimAnt, embraced a territory of about 012.608 square miles, leaving the goyonuuant of the | 812.608 square lull**, leaving uie govonuuent or the United Htates in n&dtetnrbed and nnthreatened possession of a territory of abont 2,1 W,*to square miles. . . I These thirteen Southern Htate* poses*sed an ag gregate wealth or about $6.Oj0.14j0,000. They ware confronted ny an segregated wealth of about $10.- OOU.1MVAW. Of tbs Houth’a wealth, the greater )*or itloa was reprinted by slaves. Tbs Houthern Htates had. as a means of tram porting. «on<entcatiogand d.-rribnung tro< j-t and topplif, abont HW9 miles cf retinad*. while the your devotion t daring dg- vs»uting war; let the South’s plighted faith to tha permanent Union of ths Htates and th* legitimate retullsof the war be torever unquestioned; lot all con* itultonal policies that tend to nnite more clo«ely tbe section* end people, and at tho aarna tirco to promote simplicity and ecoqpmy of admin istration, find among you their sineatval and most enlightened champions. Then, in ths march of the Republio to its high destiny, the Houth will resume her place with the ranks at tho head of tha column, and tbe liamr* of Southern *tete*>iiMB and Southern soldiers will live among the most conspicuous and honored of our country's history. At the closing of the exercises, tbe pro cession Uioretl to city hall, where Mr. Da vis held an informal reception. While the procession **a moving, a salute of a hun dred gun* waa fired from Capitol Hill. I conld bnt notiou that of the forty-one delegates, who organized tho Congress tbat made un so tuncli history in so brief a time, Cfily a half dozen were present. Oat of the Georgia delegation Toombs, Howell Cobb, Crawford, Kftbet, Hill, Kenan and Stephens died, itartow was killed at Mananas, and Tom Cobb at Fredericksburg. Only A. It. Wright ia now living. Of the Alabuna del- Jition, Walker, Shorter and Chilton are dr ad. Soath Carolina has lost Rhett, Barn well, Reitt, Chestuut and Withers. Other State delegations have soffered. The qnrmm has passral to another conn try. Gone nru their creations, gone like a troubled dream. The men they called to anna sleep in bh>ody graves or limp npon the stage, while their dug, ki.t~ <1 by the aunlight in every to,red around tbe gray-hoaded ex-President and mingled tears with his own. . This has been a memorsblo day for Ala bama; and it is a happy omen that, unlike the day of the great Confederacy, which opened grandly and closed in gloom, this camo with nature's tears and. passed ont under God's rainbow. Montooykry, Ai*a., April 29,—The Capi tol grounds at 11 o'clock to-day presented an animated scene. Tbe whole hill ion and premiaea were covered with people gathered to witness tho laying of tho oorner stone of the Confederate monument, .or as some ex pressed it, “the official banal of the Con federacy. M The skies above were cloudless, and pleasant breezes wafted the breath of flow ers from tho city. The foundation of the monument only, was ready, presenting a surface of thirty-five feot square. Near at hand stood the corner-stono, on which, in raised letters, was the inscription: “Corner-Stone Laid by Ex-President Jef ferson Davis. April 29,1886.” Opposite this was a large platform for tbo speakers. The procession formed in front of the Exchange Hotel. Mr. Davis, his daughter, ex-Governor Watt*, and Hon. U. C. Tompkins, chairman of the committee of arrangements, were in a carriage drawn by four white horses, etch led by a negro in livery. Tho next carriage contained General and Mrs. Gordon, his daugh ter, aud Mrs. Clement C. Clay, and was surrounded by survivors of the Sixth AUbaum and ether Confederate vet erans. The procession was preceded by cavalry aod artillery escort, and was farther made up of other local military, a uniformed rank of Knights of Pjthia*, Grand Com manders Knights Templar and Masonic bodies from different parts r>f the Htate. The demonstrations along tun route were as enthusiastic as they were yesterday. Whenever the people caught sight of Mr. Davis tbe cheering was enthusiastic. He took hia Beat with the committee of the Memorial Association. Behind him were Mrs. Gor don, Misses Davis and Gordon; on his left, General Gordon; on bis right, ex-Governor Watts. Offioers of the Sixth Alabama and others wore on tbe platfoim. Tho riixth Regiment was present also.asVere the trus tees of tho Soldiers’ Monument Association, Col. W. L. Bragg, Maj. Rose, Gen. W. W. Allen, Col Wm. R. Jones, Col. W. W. Screws and Gov. O'Neal. Before services began Col. Bragg presented Mr. Davis with an elegAut basket of fiowors from Maj Boling Hall, who lives near this city. Muj. Hall is a descendant of Georgia’s Lyman Hall. He was a noted opponent to secession, but had eight sons in the war, seven of whom gave their lives to the Confederacy, and the eighth ctrrios lead in him as evidence of his devotion. A prolty pictnro was witnessed when some old soloier brought forward the muster roll of tbe Hixtb Alabama and two ladies, Misses Gordon and Davie, examined it with his Assistance, The old veterans standing near swelled with gratification and pardonable pride. Ex-Governor Watts, presiding officer of the oocasion, opened the exercises with references to the importance of calling down tho benediction of Heaven upon the occasion, and requested Rev. Mr. Andrew, pastor of tho Methodist Episcopal Church, to pray. Ex-Gov. Watts then spoke and was followed by Mr. Davis. The scene as he arose and gTasped the hand of his old Attorney-General was very affect ing. It was tome moments before he could proceed, as cheers were again and again re peated. When there was sufficient quiet Mr. Davis said; *It Is deeply nratif>lr.e to xne* jrabyonsuu whom I leaned t<>r ad ricsvbw ad || WM wanted, whose storting qualities always you. Alabama asserted the Declaration of Iudoi^u lrn. h* »>• !«•» people. Hire found that the compact Lad boon broken on one side, and annulled; that tbo Government of tire did Lot answer tire ends for wh!< stituted, and with others of like mil to form a now Con federation, or^slii In the laoKUage of the Declaration of Iniep This was not revolution, because the I eminent bavins charge of all tho domi xl both of person and of property, rem changed. To call it revolution ia a grow (applause]; as sovereigns never rebel an sovcrelgua can form a natlo: _ „ had not boon aovsrelRus, then il l net have been a compact of union. (Applause.) i by the tion for it, aa well aa by efforts made to peaceful separation. The successful party always bold the defeated responsible for tbe war, but v passion shall have subsided, aod reair.n shall have resumed her dominion, it must be decided that tho general government bad no conatitutp nal powi r to coerce tha Htate, and that tbe Htate had a ri&ht to repel the invasion. It woe a national and von* mu- tional right. (Applause.) From tbe early part of the century there lied been prophecies end threats of dlaeol Union. These began at the North o of preserving tbe balance of pow tire qu of the xtio noted during tbe war of 1812. oi the dedinoof their trade, though the war was wag* d 'or tho pro tection of sailors’ rights. In the course of jeers the ba^.;.>e of r passed to the North, and tbat power waa so Dead that the Booth, despairing of p<» fnlanjoynii. t< t their constitutional rig' < ia tho 11. -n. Vito withdraw from it; this without Injury to their Lit v a*i--. late*. Th* right to withdraw * as denied. *i;«t the North made ready for war. Distant mu tin 14* of tbe storm were readily i ndmitooi t.y ths people of Alabama. Orax -haired slroo and beardless boys, all nnprci*r>-d ,m they were, weut forth to meet the storm ere it hurMt npon their homes and their altars. It required no Dcmostboncs to arcuzo them to the duty cf rant ing tha invaders, no Patrick Henry to prepare tbr u\ for the alternative of liberty or di-itti . it w in the people, not leeders, who resolved and •» ted svoae. Th* sentiment inspired all classes. Yet I belicvo thorewere very few who did not rei.r- tthe nru. si*y which left tbo 41 no alternatives between fighting for tbeir Htate or against it Mother* wives and daughter*, choking eack their sobs, ehr*n l K ih of honor and duty. ad thess patriots. untrali war, advanced on many battle fields to look death in the face. 1 hough AU Like Niobe. must mourn her children In death, yst is her woe tempered by a glorious halo whi.-h surrounds tbsir memory. For mors than a cei tory afterhtsdeatb.lt is raid tbat Phillip Det.vl'^nu’s name eras borne on the roll of Grena.ll- rs t» w bom be belonged, and when hia oaruo wni call.-A it waa auswered from ranks *Jtort Swr le champ d’honrur. Long, very lom', would he tho list which would contalu tbe names of Alabama’s sons whoso valor and fidelity would Justify tire rams response. To name a few would be unjimt to the many. They are all therefore left where thoy securely repose In the hearts of a grateful people. This monument will rest upon the land for which vice v made me sure thst the judgment be eras drawing was from the bottom of bis heart. When you called him away, the place waa mlaslog which he oies filled, end 1 have always desired to lay my hand upon him again (doing 00—applause.) Thus It waa when we met tbe other night after year* of separation, some people In the room gave a sardonic smile to see two old weather beaten men embrace, but onr hearts were young, though our heads were old. Associated here with so many memories thrilling aod tender. 1 I have felt that it were dangerous for me to attempt to speak to you aa my heart would prompt me; not that I am alwajs treasuring np bitterness against any one, bnt I am overflowing with love and admi ration for onr beloved people. (Long applause J To avoid, therefor*, anything which might be they dit*d, and point upward to tho Father who knows tbe motives aa well aa the deeds of his chil dren, and at last resting in the land where the jus tice may l»e rendered which may have been denied them here In conclusion, permit me to say, though tho memory of our glorious past mast ever be dear to us, duty points to the present and future. Alabama having resumed her place In the Uhlon, belt yours t > fulfill all obligations devolving upon all good citi zens, seeking to restore tho general government to its pristine purity, or as best yon rui*y to promote tbe welfare and happiness of your common coun try. [Long applause.) Citizens of Alabama and ladles (facing tho Lulleu on tha stand), for to whatever side yon may belong, it is vour sex that has been true Mwajs In war mim! desolation. We hear of valor .xml virtues and enduring namea of Kpertan mother*, b it tell me where, In all the bUtory of na tions was ever aunh a spectacle ecen ss witnessed In tho valley of tho Shenandoah. How tha tide of war ebbed and flowed! Sometime.* Confederates retreated, ami sometimes th»y pur sued. Those people who claimed to bo onr broth ren hail burned everythin,q except tho fonres." (Ex Governor Watte Interruption;) -"And they would have burned them had they cot basn f tor.o." Mr. Davla turned and smilingly continued: "And why do you suppose they did not brim the fences. b*v*n«s$ they (load seplassc): sad yst there never was a time when a Confederate body of tr«».«ps marched down that holies did not hung out little Confederate flags from their windows sud give bread to the hungry soldiers. (Trt mon dons Ap plause.] Ihaveprni.il cl th I would not «vtem porsuoouslj and I will i * do t j»~Wp resell tea fite OedHsesyse.Whean.i m PfvNFVN r-»nt * thr bottomo( igyhteni-an . . iv. ,..11 thanks new for your kindness. (Trcmeu 1 >n-, loiig-cuntini.ral applause and cheers.] Governor Watts then turned orer the r t ot the proceedings to the Grand Lodge of Msuons, who were to lay tho corner stono according to Maaonio tnle. A great many things wire deposited in tho vault. Tho first was put ia by Miwt Davis, and wan tho Coofeuorato battle flag of General W. W. Allen's commAnd, used during tho wlw lo war. Mr. Davis placed in it some articlen as did other prominent pooplo, nnd tho ceremonies were declared at an cud. To avoid, therefor*, anything which mJgbi prompted by the fullness of my heart, for I believe 1 am case hardened by that condition of non- citlsenablp which leaves me vary Utile to fear, (applause]—for tbs purpose of guarding others, rather than myself, 1 have prepared aoino notes tbat I might read, which would not contain any thing that would be destructive or hurtfuL” Voice -"Go on; say what you please. You are In the house of vour friends.’* My friends, partners in joy and in sorrow, in trial* and anffaringa, I have come to Join yon In th* performance of a sacred task, to lay the founda tion of a monument at the cradle of the Confeder ate government, which shall commemorate tha gallant eons of Alabama who died for their oonntry, who gave their live* free, in defense of the rights of thoir sires. In the war of the revolution, Htste sovereignty, freedom and independence waa left os aa an inheri tance to their and our posterity forever. These rights, the compact of the anion we* formed not to destroy, but to better preserve and perpetuate. Whosoever denies this cannot have attentively read ths articles of confederation or the constitution of the United Htates. The latter was formed and de- ■limed better to effect the nurpoe* of the first. It ts not my purpose to dwell upon event* of the war. They were laid before yon yesterday by tbat greataoldlerlnooableamanner as to retrain no supplement from me. They were laid before you by one who, like Jtaeaa, "Of which I have seen and been the greater part.” General John B. Gordon waa a soldier who, when oar times seemed darkest at Petersburg, waa selected by his Chieftain, Lee, as the best iusq t * lead the charge to repel the besieging army, to make a sortie and attack in the flack and reverse, to double up Grant’s army; and If I rosy say so In his presence here, he failed, bat bla failure waa dna to failure of hie guides to carry him where be proposed to go. Again that man and gallant soldier was one person whom Le* called at Appomattox when he wanted to know whether It were possible to break the lino tbat obstructed hia retreat towards the mountains of Virpfinia. lie emvrred that U was impossible; that after fonr years of hard fighting bla division was wo n down to a fragment, °“ r all parts of tbe connlrjnre eitptcte.1 to jj tieipato in tba grand parade nn<l review on march to the mountains. Lee. without knowing, 1 perhaps, that Waabtngtonever used the expression, said if be conld reach tbe mountains of Virginia ha conld continue the war for twenty years; but when he found the line which obstructed hie retreat conld not be broken, ke said there was nothing to do bnt enrrender. Be It remembered, however, that Lee waa not a >aa who contemplated a surrender as long aa he had tbe power to fight or retreat, and when he came to tho last moment of the surrender to General Grant: "I have treat with yon for the purpose of surrender;” but, General Grant, understood I will surrender nothing that reflects upon the honor of my army.' Grant, like a man, said be wanted nothing that would have that effect, and that Lee might draw up the paper* himself. It Is not my purpose to disease the political question either, on which my views have elsewhere and in other times been freely expressed, or to review the past except in vindication of the character and conduct of thou* to whom It le proposed to do bonoron this occasion. That we may not be misunderstood by such as are not wilfully blind. It may be proper to state In tbe foreground, that we have no desire to feed the fires of sectional bate, while we do not seek to avoid whatever responsibility attaches to belief in the ■itovengit Is not the sentiment of a chivalrous people, and the apothegm that forgiveness le easier to the injured than to those who Inflict an injury fc**» novae hod a more powerful illustration than In th* present attitude of the two tecUcns to wards one another. Policy, In the absence of magnanimity, would have Indicate 1 that tn the restfired onion of the Htate* there ■herald ham been a foil restoration of equality. Though this has not been the . MB. DAVIS TO VISIT SAVANNAH During the Chatham Artillery Centcnniwt Celebration. Havannaii, April AS.- Jefferson Davw u;in invited to visit Savannah daring tin- oenten ninl em-atnpment clebrntlng the orcani/a- tion of tha Chatham Artillery from May a 1 to 8tb, inclusive, nnd a H-grara mot ived to-night by tho Morning News from Oen. Gordon nt Montgomery, Ala., nays that Mr. Davis will accept tho invitation. Preparations for ths priro drills, compt li- tive bond contest, formal opening of !!.<> Telfair Academy of Arts and Hciimeta, a magnificent structure Ailed «ith coatly works of art, the nnv. iling of the no v bronze tablet on the monument to Gencnt) Nathaniel Greene of Uovolntionary fame, tho corner-stone of which was laid by Gen eral LaFayetto in 1825, and for acontmuoiM ronnd of feativi ie, and hospitalities are completed. Tbo drill grounds and grand stands .iro E renounced the finest ,vtr prepared for a ke oocasion. Ten thonuna enlillii, from Monday next. Ample accommodations fo th, reception of 50,000 atrangers have been mad.-. Thirty companion have enb.m.i t)„i competitive drills for prize* Tho celebra tion will be the moat extensive of tho kind ever attempted in this oonntry. Tin- prizno aggregate nearly $10,000. CHALLB5GBD TO A DUEL. Two North Carolina L.BN'.toni y., 11 (>„. Annul it || in... HIM, Balbob, N. C., April 28. Oen. John stone Jones and lticbmond Pearson arc Representatives in the lower House of ti.n Legislature from I)nncombe county, .it thu last M v ion of tbe Legislature they took different aidee on tho fence law question, l’earaou voting against it for thnt county and Jones supporting it The question became a very exciting matter in t!,.v eonnty. Recently Pearson published and circulated widely a pamphlet in wbiob he made an attack on Jones's character. In a lengthy u. wspaper article in the Aaheville paper of last Snn.luv, Jon.-a replied, impugning the courage of i»«i .on, and yeoterday th, Uttar sent Jonsa a ohals lenge to fight a duet As yet no r. ply low been received. Pearson is the sqn qLTMt Ute Chief Justice Pearaon of thi-,,Shite, aud waa for auumlrer of yeara l.'nit.d St.il, -. conanl at Liege, Belgium. Jones boa for the p,.,t nine years bee;, .-ljut-.nt g.n, r.J of thi-State. i'n.lerlawaof tbia Stale, ■ • riding or atv •••' ' ' .' n v from -.lie ri ;lil to vote or hold office. • Tire 1*. Mmi.i iv, M cola nnd Jl-mi.lr survey lietwe. n M for a permanent lo.-ati have H fllli '-'Tp-- of The road - II run fro ■ tun are! Crt ria.i.,, M 'Mr.OUrlti $ -il SSoh on Co?:x> o ot Ire- defis without equal be.vfits. I n. prou4 of you, imv <ouutrjm«r<, f »r this z4<litionzl proof oi yonr 66* litjr. )*ray God to Rivs you grsc« t.• •nr. -r aod tie btrorv- WL*-n yourch ldreti'ii children -LaI. what it^AJrt thi* iiionumrnt, Ui*-re will be th*- < u dnnir,. Ci.w.r, I note paper now "J! « utii..*ujer«te« til. -ta-..- of Ai«bvrr.& « ,,.n. I of h,.p|-ineafl . I 'll.i.* , lu rry blo-aorr.* are t., he a. en on rail- paper now. It ia th. Japan.*,,, ay rated