, 1861-06-04
ing to unsay had he lived. But in oil par

stood for the defence, the honor and the
perpetuity of the great Republic; and now
uncovered and reverently looking into his
grave, we can say that q Patriot reposes
therein. In revolutions, the events Of
day are equal to the work which years OF
peace accomplish. The rude shock OF
arms lately encountered, awakened him to
the true designs Of the men with whom he
Ind acted; and the same potent cause re-
vea1ed him to us in an aspect as 11nwonted
rs it was glorious. If he had been
mistaken IN those for whom
he had hazarded so much, we we're not less
so in him whom We SO earnestly opposed. II
he found them treacherous and false, the
country saw him noble and true. Under
all that seemed to contemporaries of the
opposite school, selfish, ambitious and un-
patriotic, was felt to be that enduring basis
out Of which devotion and patriotism
grew. To-day, the signs Of sorrow and the
habiliments Of woe, the subdued voice, the
measured tread and the look of grief every
where observable among an parties and
men Of all creeds, are proofs that the heart
Of the country is wounded, and the people,
aow all sensible Of his value,wil profound
" and sincerely mourn their irreparable
loss
In lis last days, he gave those who stood
near to minister. to his wants, the most
convincing assurances Of the depth and
earnestness Of the lively love Of country
that filled his heart, In his waking hours,
IS well as in those moments when the Vio-
lence Of bis disease unsested his great in
tel1ect, he was busy with national events,
and the conflict that is now upon us. 1t
was his last wish that the work which
will regenerate the country while
rescuine it from his enemies, should 60
rapid1y on. TO one, in wandering mo-
ment, be said, NJ station you at the Relay
House. Move Oh r. OF another he asked,
"Why do we stand still? LET us press on!
Let us to Alexandria quick!" To still an
other he said, "Telegraph to the President
and let the column move on!' And 80,
throughout the progress Of the dis
ease, which struck him down - be
was thinking Of his country and
her peril At Washington, in his
imaginings, and in the command for
which nature had fitted him, and which
would have been bestowed had he lived,
he seemed to direct events and dictate
victory. And when the lucid intervals
came, he was, if not so emphatic, not
less sincere. The salvation Of the Repub~
lie, was uppermost in his thoughts by day
and by night His own condition, the i'm
minent peril Of death, bis complicated
afaire gave him no concern. Almost his
last coherent words, were an ardent wish
for the honor and prosperity Of the Repub.
lie, by the defeat and dispersion other enc
mics. The country, regardless Of party
distinctions, wherever the love Of the stars
and etripes Is not repressed by the terrorism
which he knew and hated, will treasure uE
his dying prayer and make his hopes and
aspirations the rule Of patriotic endeavor
We need say nothing Of the personal
characteristics Of Stephen A: Douglas
! There Is no cabin in America to which biz
name has not gone. There is noman how
ever humble OF unfit, who from the praist
Of his friends, often indiscreet or the ADJUST
Of his enemies, more frequently undeserved
has not mace up an estimate Of the man
He was undeniably great. He had grea
brain in which size did not repress activi
ty. He had will which vas as infcxibl'
as iron. He had courage which bordered q
times upon audacity. He had great adec
tons; and by consequence great passion
| he could hate as well rs love. He hat
crest vjgor Of constitution and, all ma,
said, = firm hold upon the strings Of Life
He had the power Of drawing men to hin
with the grasp and Tigo1 Of 81
ant. No one since Henry Cla,
has had such hosts Of friends VIII
would do bis will OF die In the attempt
He had great ambition, which be sought Il
gratify by great events Hence he was 81
orator and politician; and as both h
greatly excelled. Nature fitted him t
make mark in the world; and he coul'
not have been placed where he would no
have craven his name. He has gone fror
Us at q moment when his loss will most b
felt. In the vigor Of early manhood, viii
out having yet attained the full maturity {
his powers as an orator or thinker; br
Of ripened experience ind broad cultur'
he as fallen. Another decade, when til
} voice Of war is forgotten, would have vi
3 messed the qualification Of the object Of b
later strifes. His country at peace in a
: its parts and with all the world, the ART,
!. CANT slave power hunilisted partly by Ii
:: courageous efforts, would have seen h
: elevation to the position that he woul
:, have filed with conspicuous ability. Th'
+ was among the readable certainties Of Il
future. But he has gone. The good ar
evil Of his life remain, for the instructie
/ Of those who will do the work from whit
!. he is discovered forever. Let US who q
$ left, emulous Of that fervid lore
It country which will make bis name 81
l. rious, press on in the direction in whic
l. when living, his face was set. His In
n public speech is the standard by which b
# life is to be measured. We remember hi
d by that and lay down therefor this tribu
1t Of gratitude and praise.
h
n The Vote In Western Virginia,