“President J. Davis’s
Inauguration at Montgomery”
Harper’s Weekly, March 9,
1861
On page 157 we publish a
picture of the Inauguration of President Davis, of the
Southern Confederacy, at Montgomery, Alabama, on
February 18, from a photograph obligingly placed at our
disposal. We published part of the inaugural in our
last number. A lady who witnessed the scene thus writes
to a friend in this city:
“The President is
a pleasant-looking old gentleman, of about fifty years
of age; he was escorted to the Capitol by the military,
he being in an elegant carriage drawn by six white
horses. After he took his seat on the platform in front
of the Capitol, and a short prayer had been offered, he
read a very neat little speech, not making 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 had 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.
He puts me much in mind of General Jackson in
appearance and character, though he is much more of a
gentleman in his manners than the old General every
wished to be. He had a reception last night, which I
attended. I walked about and exchanged greetings with
my friends, but would not shake hands with the
President, for I thought I would not be recognized
today, and so would rather wait for a more private
introduction. The Vice President is a constant visitor
at the house where I stay; he is very slight and
delicate looking, has more the appearance of a dead man
than a living one, until he begins to speak, when you
forget entirely how ugly he is.”
President Davis, at
latest accounts, is traveling through his dominions. He
has been to Charleston.
