The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1851-04-30
The Graves of those we love.

The grave is the ordeal of true affection. 1t there the
divine passion of the soul maness lis superiority 10 the
instructive impulses of animal attachment The
latter be continually refreshed and kept alive by the
presence OF the object but the love that seated IN the
soul can live on long remembrance The mere incna-
tons of sense langushng and declining with the charms
which excite Them turn with shuddering and disgust from
the precincts of the tomb but is thence that true spr
ua affection rises purified from every sensual desire and
turns like holy flame to illuminate and sancuiy the
heart of the survivor
The sorrow Tor the dead is the only from which
to heal-every other affection to forget; but this wound
we consider II duty keep openthe affections we
cherish and brood solitude. Where is The mother
who would willingly forget the infant that persisted like a
blossom from her arms though every recollection is
pang, Where the daughter who would willingly for
the most tender OF parents though TO remember be
but 10 laHent Who even in the hour OF agony, would
forget the friend whom he mourns? Who, when the
tomb closing upon the remains OF her he most loved
when he feels his near twee, crushed IN the closing OF
lis potal-woud accept consolation that must be bought
by forgefuness? No; the love which survives the
tomb is of the nobest attributes of the soul. If il
has woes, like has lis deghts and when the over
wueimng burst OF gre is calmed into The gentle tear
of Iecoection-when the sudden and the convusiye
agony is over-the present rum OF all that we most
loved IS so'lened away INTO pensive msdal'on on AL
out such a from the heat? Though il may some.
tunes throw passing cloud over The bright hour Of
ety. spread deeper sadness The hour OF gloom,
vel who would exchange Tor The song OF pleasure or
the burst OF revelry No; there is voice from the
Tomb sweeter than song. There is a remembrance of
living. Oh, the grave!-the grave Ii buIies every
ror-coyeTs every Acknowledgements every resentment
From peaceiui bosom springs but fond reg
and tender recollection. Who look apon the grave
even OF enemy and not tel compunctiye throb that
he had ever waued against the poor handful Of earth
that lies Wondering before him
But The grave OF those lovedwhat place oil med
itaon There IL is that call up IN long review the
whole history OF virtue and happiness. and the thousand
erieaments lavished upon almost needed IN the
daily intercourse of intimacy; the tenderness OF the
parting scene-the bed OF death, with all it, stfed
es--the last Testimonials OF expiring loye-the fee
bic hutt-ng, thniting-oh how thrilling !pressure OF
the handhe faint, 'ateFng accents struggling in death
10 give assurance ot affection
Ay 90 10 The grave OF buried love and mediate There
settle the account with thy conscience Tor every past ben
eft unreq uled every past endearmen arded OF thai
departed being who nevernever return 10 be soohet
By thy coniruon.
II thou a child, and hast added sorrow the
-ou fuuow TO the silver brow OF an aectionaie
paIent-f thou husband and hast caused the
fond bosom that has ventured It's whole happiness in thy
arms TO doubt moment of thy Kindness and uuh-ii
thou friend who hast wroDged in thought,
word, deed, the splrlt that generously conhJed IN
lhee-f thou lover, and hast given one un.
meriied pang that heart that lies cold and stiff be
every ungacous word, every ungente action, will come
thronging back upon the memory aud knock doeiuliy
upon Thy soul then be lbou wilt lie down sorrow.
INK and repenng the grave and utter the unheard
goan and pour the unavaing tear, more deep, bit
Ter, because unbeard and nnavaillng
Then weave the chaplet OF flowers and strew the
beauties OF Nature about the grave console thy broken
spirit II thou canst with those tender yet fertile tribute.
OF regret take waning by the bitterness Of this thy
conte al con The dead, and henceiorth be more
faithful and ad,conate in the discharge OF thy duties Il
the living.