February 18, 1861; The New York Herald
MONTGOMERY, Feb. 17, 1861.
The trip of Mr. Davis from Mississippi to Montgomery, was one continuous ovation. He made twenty-five speeches on the route, returning thanks and complimentary greetings to crowds of ladies, and gentlemen, and military, at the various depots.
A Committee of Congress, and the Montgomery authorities, met Mr. Davis about eighty miles off and formally received him. Two fine military companies from Columbus, Ga., joined the escort at Opelika, and all reached Montgomery last night at ten o’clock.
He was received with great enthusiasm, a large crowd assembled at the depot, which Mr. Davis addressed as follows:
He said he felt proud to receive the congratulations and hospitality of the people of Alabama. He briefly reviewed the present position of the South. He said the time for compromises is past, and we are now determined to maintain our position and make all who oppose us smell Southern powder, feel Southern steel. If coercion was persisted in, he had no doubts as to the result. We will maintain our rights of government at all hazards. We ask nothing and want nothing. Will have no complications. If other States join our confederation they can freely come on our terms. Our separation from the old Union is complete. No compromise, no reconstruction can now be entertained.
A large crowd waited on Mr. Davis on his arrival at the Exchange Hotel. The ladies were equally enthusiastic with the gentlemen. A quarter before eleven, at enthusiastic calls, Mr. Davis appeared on the balcony and said:
FELLOW CITIZENS AND BRETHREN OF THE CONFEDERATE STATES OF AMERICA – For now we are brethren, not in name merely, but in fact, men of one flesh, one bone, one interest, one purpose and of an identity of democratic institutions. We have hence, I trust, a prospect of living together in peace, with our institutions subject to protection, not defamation. It may be our career will be ushered in in the midst of storm. It may be that as this morning opened with clouds, mist and rain, we shall have to encounter inconvenience at the beginning; but as the sun rose it lifted the mist and dispelled the clouds and left the pure sunlight of heaven, so will the progress of the Southern confederacy carry us safe to the harbor of constitutional liberty and political equality. (applause) Thus we have nothing to fear at home, because at home we have homogenity. We will have nothing to fear abroad, because if war should come, if we must again baptize in blood the principles for which our fathers bled in the Revolution, we shall show we are not degenerate sons, but will redeem the pledges they gave, preserve the sacred right they transmitted to us, and show that Southern valor still shines as brightly as in seventeen seventy-six, in eighteen twelve, and in every other conflict. (applause) I was informed, my friends, that your kindness only required I should appear before you. Fatigued by travel, and hoarse, I am unable to speak at any length, and came merely to assure you of my gratitude for these manifestations of your good will. I come with diffidence and distrust to the discharge of the great duties devolved on me by the kindness and confidence of the Congress of the Confederate States. I thank you, friends, for the kind manifestations of favor and approbation you exhibit on this occasion. Through my entire progress to this city I have received the same flattering demonstrations of generous support. I did not regard them as personal to myself, but as tendered me as the humble representative of the principles and policy of the confederate States. I will devote to the duties of the high office to which I have been called all I have of heart, of head, of hand. If in the progress of events my services shall be needed in another position – if, to be plain, necessity shall require that I shall again enter the ranks as a solder, I hope you will welcome me there. (applause) Now, friends, again thanking you for this manifestation of your approbation, allow me to bid you good night.