Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1866-07-03
Memorial Ceremonies.


direction of the Ladies Memorial Executive
Committee. The day was an exceedingly
pleasant one, ard the large gathering of the
people from the neighborhood and adjoining
counties and states, evinced the deep interest
felt.in whatever concerned. the memory ofthe
fallen heroes of the Confederate Armies.
The grounds selected for the opening
ceremonies was the beautiful lawn in front of
the residence of Mr.. Littleton, near Charles
town, The east portico of the house being
used as the speakers stand, in the center of
which was suspended the portrait of the
immortal "Stonewall'' jackson, appropriately
draped in emblems of mourning. @
AT 10 o'clock A., NJ. the large concourse of
people was called to order by the Chief
Marshal of the day, Col. W. E. Cutshaw and
the impressive memorial services were COM
menced by an appropriate inyocatory prayer
by the Rev, Q. N. Campbell, followed by an
Anthem from the Choir, which was performed
in excellent style.
The Rev. Isaac Gibson of the P. E. Church
followed in another appropriate prayer to
"Him who ruleth above, and in whose hands
are the destinies of the nations of EARTH
Upon the conclusion of these services, T. NJ.
Isbell, Esq, WHO had been selected to pro
nounce the Memorial Grafton was introduced.
and eloquently and impressively spoke as fol-
lows
Ladies and Gentlemen:
Deeply sensible
of my inability to meet the responsibilities of
tkis occasion, yet [ could not resist your uni
ted appeals to participate in ceremony, which
awakens so many memories and excites the
tenderess sensibilities of the present hour
Indeed to minister at the altar which beauty
and affection have erected to heroic patriots
ism, is privilege which connects high and
solemn duty into mournful pleasure; and
hence it is have not hesitated, in this mos
ment of profound sorrow, to hasten into your
presence and assume the part assigned to me,
IN the closing scene of the great drama which,
has been enacted in our midst
The act of collecting and depositingin sa-
cred places the dust of fallen heroes, is at all
times touching, and imposing spectacle, but
to you matrons, and maidens, sires and sons
these obsequies speak not only OF national ca
lamities, but of private and personal bereave-
ments, which bow down our hearts in unut-
terable woe, did not light CLEAN over this
dark picture, which makes us smile through
our tears. While kneeling at the graves of
these unselfIsh and fearless soldiers, who with
tender words of parting, left behind the dear
est idols of their hearts, and rushed forth with
terrible energy to the carnival Ofdeath-while
thus kneeIing and weeping consolation like
sweet incense rises from their tombs, and ad-
monishes US that the sepulchres at which we
bow, are the homes of stainless Writ ues, lofty
patriotism, and exalted heroism Over the
graves of such men halo of glory is ever
seen, shining through the tears of ali worship
pers at their shrines. and gliding their sorrow
into a smile of pride and of triumph. Cornelia
when asked for her jewels pointed SO her liv-
ing suns. Virginia matrons when asked for
theirs, will with more than Cornelas pride.
point to their dead on the field Of battle: Oh !
what sweet scented SAVIOUR is this coming
from the charncl house of war to comfort. and
cheer, and bless the bereaved, and what elo-
rlous illustrations Of the distinguishing char
acterlstics of Southern heroes will they fur
nlsh for the applause and imitation of the most
distant generations
Now that the last sword has leaned from its
scabbard-the last gun fired and the roar Of
battle hushed, let US gather the relics of the
past and consecrate them to the use Of the tu.
ture for from the arbitrument of the sword
to the Judgment ofhistOry, will this great strug-
gle be referred. We may we'll await. with pa
thence and cOmplacency, the issue of candid
and truthful examination Of the motives and
conduct of the Southern people, in the terri
bic conflict through which they have passed.
Without departing from the obvious course
OF propriety marked out for this occasion, [
may say that all history does not furnish a par
aIlel to the Sublime attitude of the Conteder
ate States, when, without established govern
ment IN the beginning without a navv-
without credit-with sparse population. with
Its capital chiefly in the lubour of the country,
and that iab0ur IN some particulars an element
OF weakness in our political organization dur
ing the existence Of hOstilitics-when such n
people found themselves confronted in arms
by hrst rate power, with unlimited resources
III men and money, complete master of the
ocean, with tumultuary population in which
cuPlulty anu tanatlclsm cUnsplred in aid of
Whatever patriotism remained; [ say, when
the South accepted battle under these circun,
stances simply in defence of what she believ-
ed to be her reserved rights, under the nation
al compact, she exhibited to the world a snec.
tacle OF moral grandeur and pei sonal courage
unapproached in the annals of any peonIe
Whatever diversity of opinion may now or
hereafter exists as to the propriety of her
course, there can he none with respect to the
gallantry with which she maintained it. Her
decisive victories and disastrous defeats are
equally conspicuous for mistaken courage
and when in the vicissitudes OF fortune She
lowered her standard, she abat.d naught of
her integrity or honor, amidst the general
wreck of her hopes; this at least was left asa
legacy to her sons.
Virginia. large sharerin this rich inheri-
tance-now that her spear is broken and her
banner turled-Virgina alike faithful to her
traultltnary glorles and her present renown,
emerging from this conflict mutilated and de-
spoiled, transfxed with thousand wounds.
and bleeding at every pore, comes with unbro,