The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1861-07-24
The EaIIen RrNye.

OF all the forms in which man can meet
death, none is more grand and beautiful than
that in which he lays down his life in q
good cause. Death is the common lot Of all.
and In one shape or other must oyertake every
man but he who goes forth to meet it for the
benefit of humanity, may well be said to die
moro gloriously than did SOCRATES, for Soc
RATES died like philosopher" but this man
"like God" Nobler life can no man live
than he who walks in the footsteps Of the in
csrnste Son Of Deity, nor more godlike death
than to perish, in humble imitation of Him,
for the good of the human race.
., Thus the Martyrs and Confessors of all ages,
who have passed through great tribulations
aud at last sealed their holy faith with their
blood, are most honored in the Christian
cruci6ed and risen Lord, the Divine Martyr of
Calvary. And surely. next to them, in dis
interestedness, self sacrifice and herosm, We
may place the glorious men who die for thsir
country. But it is wrong to say that such
mon die. Bullets and bayonets may slay
the body; the soul they cannot hurt. Pure
as the overbanging armament from which
their rpirits look down upon us, bright as
the stars which illumine its Unreasonable
depths, immortal as the Being whose pre-
ssnoe pervades illimitablc space, the spirits Of
the just can never die. Every generous heart
feels q Fapg Of agony as well as pride to see
many mothers darling, the laughing dimples
Of youth yet upon bis beardless cheek, rush
raiiy by TO the scene Of strife and blood, and
hot tears rush to eyes unused to weep at the
thought Of that fair head pillosed on the
bloody turf and yet, where could mortal die
rs we'll Pity the desolate ones at home but
for him. the death that must have como at
las. and torn him reluctant from the earth, he
has gone bravey forth to meet, and in the viz
tue and valor Of self sacrifice, has robbed it OF
i:s sting and despoiled the grave Of its vic
tory. When WOLFE, on being told that the
French retreated, exclaimed, 81 die happy,
he expressed, no doubt, the feelings Of every
true hero as he leoks his last upon tho earth
and feels that he has not died in vain. Happy
IN being benefactor, at the cost Of his own
life, to bis native land and to humanity; happy
In knowing that hewil! be remembered with love
and gratitude, and that he himself will be per-
mitted to look down and see how from his
blood viii spring the lite-gising plants Of free
dom, independence, and happiness to hs c,un.
try.
The deepest affection of death, ia this as in
every other form, is mt that of those who d. ,
bat the relatives who survive. Human 81 IN
patty is inadequate to the consolation Of thos'
who suffer from distress like this. The hazel .
neyed common-places of funeral occasions stir
the soul ss little as the sable p.umes and
grapes which custom has prescribed for the
funera! procession. For the man who dies il
peaceful life there is, outside his own family
and relatives, no real grief, and little synps
thy even with the wretched survivors. But
for him who dies in his country's cause, q
country mourns; every heart honors bis
memory, every eye weeps With those who weep
for him, and every breast is anxious to share
the burthen Of their woes.
Row sleep the brave, who sink 10 rsst
~ IA their eonntry's Wishes blest
when spring with desy myers cold.
Returns to deck thsit hxIIowsd mould,
eh~ thea ShAtl dress a sw eeier sod
Than fSrcy's feet have ever trod.
~ AIRY hand. her knell rs rung, sea ISIS
n 20 'Nefr a." 'tssnne;
There Honor comes, pilgrim grey.
r" eis-r "a. nri .Hat 50, .-,,.,sy
And Freedom shall aw h IL repair
To dwell weeping hermit there