Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1869-06-22
ELMWOOD CEMETERY.
Speeches Delivered at its Dedication by
Messrs. Douglass, Lucas and Boteler.
SATURDAY, JUNE 5Tu, 1869.
ADDRESS OF MAJOR II. X. DOUGLAS.

Ii. X.
We devote this day to the memory and
service of these dead Leaving behind US,
in our Offices and business places, the cares
and occupations of life its troubles, ambitious,
and vaGities, we have come to their graves, to
renew for the year, the testimony of our
grateful Remembrance. With US who appre>
clate these ceremonies and the nature Of this
duty, there is meaning in them, which has
its origin in the best impulses Of our nature.
Not, simply, because these graves contain the
dead, are they thus dedicated aud decorated,
for that would be but dust paying snowy
tribute unto dust; but because these dead
struggled and fell Tor right and principle,
with their faces to the front and in the display
CT hCroism aud L sacrifice which both friends
and foes honestly, il not equally admire. -
There need he t!:en no secrecy nor hesitation
IN this devotion. We come openly, confident
Iy, proudly with our offerings of tears and
flowers, and il our silent soldiers have any
foes still unappcascd, let them come here and
learn that true herOIsm is closely akin to
generosity and tenderness. Drums and battles
are hushed-no serred lines OF blue and grey
oppose their deflut tronts-the frightened
winds are no longer sienced by the greater
noise Of carnage-one battle flag weary and
ragged is turled forever aud the ranks above
which it hUated are scattered. That mighty
contest Of attempted Revolution is ended, and
for us there remains of it but vast ruin aud
these dead. Is there not then peculiar
meaning in these ceremonies, a peculiar sacred
ness i'll these graves; and need we care II all
the world were here to lock upon our offerings
In them is no hatred nor malice empty
dcfauce to the living, for that would be Il re-
prUach to our dead no reopening Of healing
L.. III 10 :
for sparks of enmity aud passion. Love for
ot; dead warriors makes this an occasion for
suprencst peace 1t would be in vain 10 talk
of the cause and the contest which brought
these people low. Upon them history is
making up its verdict. 1t would be useless
to eulogize the .herOsm and devotion, which
have made sUch populous cemeteries through
out our land. The world knows it all, and it
will pass in song and tradition far down the
avenue Of centuries 10 come. But if we can
learn any useful lesson here, if we can catch
any Inspiration from these tombs, that will
teach US .frmness in the defence Of political
and individual rights, then will our annual
meetings at these places be OF profit to US,
make US better citizens and 4 worthler people.
But such lessons cannot be taugh: in words
and speeches. Each must learn it for
himself and as he watches our noble women
strcwiug the tairest flowers upon mounds Of
mould, fiud out by thought and instinct, why
they do it.
This Offering is no hero>worship in its COM
mon form. Within the limits of that humble
graveyard, there are no historic names, no
names of those whose fame and brilliant titles
have startled mankind. We are not doing
reverence to rank aud commission. But yet
these untitled heroes belonged to the great
power of the rebellion. Neither Jackson,
nor Stuart, nor Ashby, lie beneath these roses;
but here are sUme who followed the kuightly
Ashby, the anniversary of whose death we
commemorate to-day, some who rode with the
dashng Stuart in his raids by the light of the
stars, and some who helped to make up the
great fame of the Stonewal Brigade, and were
present in all those battles, in whose bloody
stream Jackson was baptized with Immortality.
We do not know their names, but we re-
member their deeds. 1t is very pleasant and
sweet to die for ones country, when that coun-
try remembers and records the sacrifce-
When an honored hero dies, the earth seems
to resound, as when a great oak falls in the
forest. The lightning flashes the sad INTEL
ligence through the land the air is filled with
praises, and his name is repeated and preserved
in the baptism of children. Death itself seems
swallowed up in glory, and the reward of his
labors is great aud freely given. But what
bulletin announced the death of any of these !!
History tells us long story of the battles in
which they fell, but you mag search the pages
of history in vain for their names. Some of
those names seem buried with their bones, and
as we strew flowers above them, not one is
spoken and many are altogether unknown
Even their absent, still weeping mothers,
know not the tribute We are this day paying