True American. [volume] (Steubenville [Ohio]) 1855-1861, 1858-07-28
VOL, 40, 30.
Felicitous SpeecIt.


In lately looking over detailed account
Of the recent funeral ceremonies at New
York, says the National LnteLigencer,
we met with more complete report than
we had before seen of the impressive
speech Of the Hon. John Cochran on the
quarterback Of the jamestown, when the
body of the deceased ex.President was
placed in charge of the Virginia Com
mittee;and we deem il due to the eloquent
speaker, even at this late day, 10 say that
we do not remember to have ever read an
occasional address marked by more good
taste in all respects, more appropriate in
its illusions, more fitting in its propor-
tons, or more beautiful in thought and
expression. 1t was happy coincidence
that "Jamestown" should have been the
name of the ship appointed to bear back
to their native soil the remains of the
illustrious Virginian.-[Pitts. True Press.
1t is more than thirty years since a
venerable stranger arrived in The city of
New York. The storms of State hsd
bent his form, and private care was writ
ten on his brow. Released from the bur-
den of official responsibilities, which he
had never Stunned. he sought in Our
scenes the tranquility he craved SO much.
From this retreat he securely contempla-
ted the evenlful vicissitudes Of the world
he had left, nor once regretted its honors
nor missed its applause. A domestic
circle opened at his approach. kindred
hearts cherished his, and the slope of his
life gently declined, amid troops of friends.
TO the music of household associations
All revered him; sauntering steps quick
ened at his appearance the citizen paused
on the way and The stranger in the gate,
to look where passed James Monroe. II
is thought by our city an honor thus 10
have sheltered the gathering years Of one
who had been the fifth President Of the
United States. A short time, however,
passed, and The familiar form was seen no
more. As if commissioned on tho ami.
versary Of our country's independence, 10
bear nations gratitude into the Pres.
ence on High, his spirit burst its .hraldom
in that jubilee of freedom. He was
mourned as only the good are mourned.
tie has never been forgotten. Earth has
been strewed with the recurring tributes
OF more than twenty-five years Of decay,
and still the public heart has kept sentry
at his grave. Seasons have come and
gone, moons waxed and grown dim, and
while all was changing, still unchanged
has been the memory Of New York, that
low upon its lap was laid the head of
James Monroe, Of Virginia. Inviolate
has been held the sacred charge. II is
true that his deeds live after him, q COM
nom heritage for all; but his body des.
cended TO the tomb. to await there, ,iidings
from the State he loved so well. These
tidings came. and our city paused ; they
came, and the busy mart was hushed.--
It was the demand Of the father for his
son; il was the voice of the mother seeking
for her child. Mems hearts were touched
by the appeal, and the very dead was
stirred 10 filial sympathy. From his
place Of early supul!ure we have removed
The illustlious departed, and have borne
his body hither, Virginians, to you.
AS we have come, the minute gun has
announced to land and sea The sad funeral
transit, and the nation veils its standards
to our solemn rites. And ii is meet that
it should be so. By no sacrilegious sum-
mons, but with a reverent awe, has the
silence Of former age been broken, the
repose Of its mighty dead disturbed, and
the memory Of tho sage, like the lights Of
the tomb of Terentia, hive diffnsed ge-
nial radiance abroad. A general attention
has been concentrated upon the revelation.
The sacred truths Of the olden time
attend upon these hearsed bones, aud
have moved in procession with thsm.--
Again we seem to witness the old ances-
tral patriotism again to listen to the
precepts of a wisdom that no longer walks
the earth; again the fathers are with us,
and We move al within the halo II their
presence. Virginians, we bring YOU
here the casket we have guarded; we
now commit to your hands what so long
has been entrusted to our own. Our
work is finished, our duties done. We
surrender 10 you this mortal; you will
crown it with emblemalicsl Immortality.
We deliver to you this perishing record
Of the past; you will inscribe uponii that
justice he so sffectingly craved of you for
his memory in the future. Virginia--
molher--it is thus that New York gives
: back to you your son." ig