Page:Southern Historical Society Papers volume 19.djvu/408

 402 Southern Historical Society Papers.

In concluding his speech Mr. Douglas said :

We Georgians have with us to-night as orator on this occasion as knightly a veteran as ever galloped into the jaws of death. Brave, gallant, and generous, he poured out his blood through a dozen wounds to prevent the enemy from violating the sanctity of our State. We have with us one who has succored Turner Ashby and Jeb Stuart and Wade Hampton and Pierce Young on many a stricken field, and turned defeat into glorious victory.

He is a self-made man, highly honored by his native State, on whose shoulders we hope will descend the mantle of Virginia's gubernatorial honors. He is one who has renewed Georgia's obliga- tions to him in effecting the election of Georgia's second speaker in the National House of Representatives, and for him I ask a hearty welcome.

I appeal to you, fair ladies, who love brave men, to you, sons of Confederates, for whom he fought and bled while you were in your swaddling clothes; I appeal to you, veteran soldiers, grander than the old guard at Waterloo, in the name of that Virginia hospitality which ofttimes shared its last crust with you to join with me and give a Georgia welcome to the Hon. Charles T. O'Ferrall.

COLONEL O'FERRALL'S ADDRESS.

Cononel O'Ferrall expressed his pleasure at coming for the first time to this city of marvellous growth and superb beauty upon the invitation of the Virginia Society and a mission so holy. Why is it, said he, that to-day all over this Georgia land no anvil rings, no wheel of industry revolves, no saw, spindle, or loom sings its merry song, no furnace, forge, or rolling-mill sends out its lurid glare, and no office or store-door is open? Why is it that from Georgia's border to border this day is observed as a holiday ? The answer is engraved everywhere and is wet with love's tear-drop.

" Eighty-five years ago to-day a child was born in the Old Do- minion of legends and lays, traditions, glories, and memories, des- tined to dazzle the world with the effulgency of his manhood achievments, and draw from every land where civilization and chiv- alry had dawned its plaudits and its praises. It is to celebrate this, the anniversary of that birthday, that you have laid aside your duties and cares and I have come at your bidding hundreds of miles."