Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1869-06-12

meaning in them, which has its origin in
the bes, impulses Of our nature. Not,
simply, because these graves contain the
dead, are they thus dedicated and decora'
ted. for that would be but dust pay ing
snowy tribute unto dust; but because
these dead struggled and fell for night
and a principle. with their faces TO the
from. and in the display OF heroism and
q sacrifice which both friends and foes
honestly, if not equally admire. There
need be then no secrecy nor hesitation IN
this devotion. We come openly. conf
IDENTIFY. proudly. with our offerings Of
tears and flowers. and if our silent soldiers
have any foes still unappeased. lie. them
come here and learn tina, true heroism is
closely akin to generosity and tenderness.
Drums and battles are hushed--no serrled
lines of blue and grey oppose their
defiant lronls-,he frightened wines are
no longer silencsd by the greater noise oil
carnsge-one battle flag weary and rag
ged is furled forever, and the ranks above
which il foa,ed are scattered. That
mighty contest of attempted Revolution IS
ended, aud for us there remains OF 1t but
vast ruin and these dead. Is there moi
then peculiar meaning IN these ceremo-
Mess peculiar sacredness in these graves;
and need we care If all The world were
here 10 look upon our offerings. In Them
is no hatred nor malice no empty deh-
ance TO the living. for that would be re-
proach to our dead no reopening Of
healing wounds. nor digging among the
dying ashes for sparks OF emily and pas
sion. Love for our dead warriors makes
this an occasion for supremest peace, 1t
would be 10 vain to talk Of the cause and
the contest which brought these people
low. Upon them history IS making up
It's verdict. 1t would be useless 10 eulo.
pize the heroism and devotion. which
have made such populous cemeteries
Throughout, our land. The world knows
ii all. and i. will pass in song and lradl-
ton fan down the avenue OF centuries 10
come. BIZ, # we can learn any useful
lesson hers,if We can catch any inspiration
from these ,ombs. that will teach us firm
ness in the defence Of political and indl-
vidusl rights. then will our annual meet
ings al these places be Of prof, to us,make
rs better citizens and wor,her people.
But such lessons cannot be laugh. in
words and speeches. Each one must
earn it for himself, and as he watches
nur noble women s'rewing the fares.
towers upon mounds OF mould. find on.
ou, by thought and instinct, why they DO
il.
This offering is no hero worship in lis
common 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 10 rank and
commission. But yet these untitled he
.oes belonged to the great power of the re-
oellion Neither Jackson, nor Slusrt,nor
A shby. lie beneath these roses but here
are some who followed The knIgh,ly Ash
oy. the anniversary Of whose death we
commemorate today. some who rode with
the dsshing Stuart in his raids by The
ligh, of The stars. and some who helped
to make up the great fame OF the Stone
wall Brigade, and were presen, IN all
those battles, in whose bloody stream
Jackson was baptized with immortality.
We do not know their names. but We re-
member their deed. Ii is very pleasant
and swee, 10 die for ones country, when
that country remembers and records the
sacrifice. When an hUnored hero dies,
The earth seems 20 res0und. as when
gresl oak falls in The forest The light.
ming flashes the sad intelligence through
the land; the air is filled with praises. and
his name is repeated and preserved in the
baptism Of children. DesIh itself seems
swallowed up in glory, and the reward Of
his lsbors is great and freely given But
what bulletin announced the death Of any
Of these History tells us . long story
of the battles in which they fell, bot you
may search ,he pages of history in vain
for ,heir names. Some OF those names
seem buried with their buEes, aud az We
s,rew flowers above them. not one Is
spoken and many are altogether unknown.
Even their absent. sill weeping mothers,
now mol the tribute we ATE Tins day pay
ing their sons. Heap up The flowers then,
and let not this custom wear out by time.
Erect the monument which you propose,
and engrsye the virtues of these modest
dead. and your own gratitude upon it. Let
The white shaft pierce the sky, ,ba. it
may SPEAK 10 all spectators. in language
like that on the tomb OF l.eonihas-
Stranger. tell 1t throughout Virginia.
msnds u See 10 II therefore, friends of
these Confederate dead. lhs, the monu-
nenl is not LEI. unfinished. Bring no
upon yourself by letting tina,
good work isil. But lie, II coup. Here
on the border ol thai great battlefield,
the banks OF iha, river
which during the war roled liz deep wa
ters between you and the North, until
hey were stained with biood-here in
sigh, Of chlvslrIc and generous Maryland.
" those esllan, sons came to fight and fall
with yours, and who To this day has never
refused To respond with noble willingness
to every demand pade upon her sympa.
thy. ard her nesDs-here al the very gate
and entrance of the Shenandoah Valley,
thTOuph which the red. hot tide If hattie
ebbed aud flowed uhce asingy, unlil it he