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 horses. A vast throng escorted him up Dexter Avenue to the capitol.

"After he took his seat on the platform in front of the capitol," wrote an eye-witness, "and a short prayer had been offered, he read a very neat little speech, not making many promises, but hoping by God's help to be able to fulfill all expectations. He took the oath amidst the deepest silence; and when he raised his hand and his eyes to heaven, and said 'so help me God,' I think I never saw any scene so solemn and impressive."

Years have gone by since those brave days. The scenes that so stirred not only Montgomery but the entire land have passed into the pages of history. The eager throng that crowded Capitol Hill, and hung breathlessly on every word of the brief inaugural address; the ringing cheers and the roar of cannon that welcomed the news of Virginia's secession; the groups of leaders planning earnestly laws and constitutions and deep schemes of public policy; the soldiers in gray marching by with high hopes and light step; the sad day when the Confederate Government packed its archives and took its departure for Richmond—these memories and a thousand others that cluster about them will always be kept alive by the tender sentiment that clings to the Lost Cause.