Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1866-07-05

for battle should be the last to leave the precincts
halowed by his death. In her memory this scene
will be Joy forever. The gratitude and affection
of whole people eonspire to rescue from forgetful-
ness the noble army of martyrs, who laid down their
lives in defence CT their country, mutitudes ofwhom
in the pride and pomp and circumstance of war;
sank into the earth unknown unhonored and unsung.
But while we thus do homage to the lustrious
dead let us not be unmindful Of our living heroes
some of whom languish in prisons, others in exile
many under civil disabilities, all sought TO be dis
franchised and dishonored. When will conquer
prs learn that magnanimity to fallen foe adOrns
victory more than the spoils of many provinces?-
The captivity of Francis the First dimmed the elo.
res os Pavia and Waterloo shines the less resplen-
IDENTIFY that Napoleon chained to fast anchored
isle in the ocean.
In all great commissions where the interests of the
State are homogeneous, violent displacements OF
capital and labor usually occur which sap the foun
dations and dry up the source Of wealth. Buthere
where we had different social systems and political
interests in anagonism those of the North failure
on our part brought wide spread ruin and indiscri
inmate suffering. But the forms and habits OF socie-
~ being adjusted to the conservative elements OF
confederate Government, we have not witnessed
those marked social changes which usually attend
the revolutionary movements of other Countries
There they have followed the course of political
events and the form of society has been moulded in
cruicible of politics. Thus from the volcanic fires
of the French Revolution these forms passed in ra-
mid succession from the elegant of the court
of Louis the sixteenth to the vulgar patterns OF the
wcrshippers Of the Guillotine-the judicial murder
of the King and the execution of the conservative
members of the Convention turned loose upon
France the political brgands who deluged her land
with blood TWAS under the cry of Liberty, Equali
tv and Fraternity that she plunged into those exces-
ses which shocked the moral sense of the world.
We NAV well pause in a career which hurries
into an abyss where Liberty regulated by Law, is
submerged in the mad passions of unprincpled am
bition. This was the point of reaction in morals,
simply because there no lower depth to which
il could descend returning respect for Religion
and justice cleaned dimly over the clouds of this
dark tempest. Underits influence society gradually
adjusted itself to the new order Of things and types
of elegance and refinement began to appear at the
reunions of Madame Tallen-who herself might
well reign in Aspasa's court When conservative
sentiment advanced still further these types clothed
themselves in all the amenities of life until they
matured the graces of Josephine's court and the
splenIor of Napoleon's Camp. Thus did the VIOLA
tile social phase ofFrance follow the political circle,
until from Royalty rejected it arrived at Royalty
regained.
! have made this reference, my friends not with
out purpose. History is ever repeating ITSELF
The lesson should learn from ii is that whenever
governments cut themselves loose from great con-
stitutiona restraints founded in wisdom, and APP
proved by experience they hazard the public inter-
est, and sport with the fortunes of the country.
Returning then from this digresion, repeat that
and her purposes, with her social organization un-
changed except in respect to slavery comes out OF
this war unit in sentiment and in feelings. Law
NAV be dictated at the point OF the bayonet, but
opinion is as chainless as the wind. Ii she knew
how to go to war, now that the battle has gone
against her. she knows how to accept its issues with
dignity and composure. Though striptof her pro
perty aud all her capital gone yet sustained by con-
scious integrity-and with. a heart prepared for
every fate she nerves herself for the coming future
nor stops to recount the material sacrifices she made
in her defence. If any thing can add TO the glory
she gained in war, it is the manly irmness with
which she yields to her fate. She has no maudlin
tears to shed over vanished hopes-no whimpering
compainings of the manner of her misfortunes-
If all was lost save honor, that she wears in her
heart casket worthy of this precious jewel She
l. Southern still with all the noble qualities and glo-
rious associations of the past around her. She fol
lows the footsteps of no successful general to swell
the applause Of venal crowds, nor will she " bend
the pregnant hinges of the knee that thrift
low fawning." She knees to God alone; and COM
mits our country to his holy keeping.
Wrapt in the mystery of the secret council OF
Heaven are the dealings of Providence with natons
IT'S not for us tn penetrate the veil that conceals
them In the fullness of time His WAYS will be vim
Dictated to man. Let us then renewing our faith in
His good purpose, prepare for the duties devolved
mon us by the extraordinary conclusion of public
affairs. These duties Will address themselves to us
they arise, and will claim at our hands faithful
support of that policy which will soonest restore
peace, and bring back to our country individual
happiness and national prosperity.
And now, my friends, whilr with solemn dirge and
muflled drums, we proceed to inaugurate these me-
mortal services, bring flowers, to deck the grave,
and wreaths immortal to crown the tomb where
Honor lies Moistened with your tears and sancti-
fed by your prayers, every rose will unfold its
leaves to make the Hero's shrine as fragrant as his
fame will be enduring.