The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1870-04-05


ten years, and in that time he learned TO re-
spect him and revere his character. He did
not think it necessary to dwell upon his
career, which was so well remembered by the
community, but would say that he was man
who never swerved from the line of his duty.
After the election of q number of Vice
Presidents and Secretaries, preamble and
resolutions were offered by Major William
MoMichael, as follows:-
Whereas In the prime OF life at the height OF his
usefulness, and while in the discharge OF his duty,
the nation has lost by death Major-General George
III. Thomas, soldier than whom nobler is
corded by the history of this century; and
Whereas 1t is emnently proper that the citizens
and soldiers Of Philadelphia should, in common
with their brethren OF other cities, unite in testify
ing their over the loss which they, with all
the loyal people OF the United States have sustained
in the decease OF so faithful public servant, there
fore
Resolved That the citizens and soldiers OF Phila-
delphia, in public meeting assembled, bear their
unanimous testimony to their high appreciation OF
the invaluable services rendered the nation by the
great man whose death we mourn.
Resolved That recognize in his military achieve
ments genius as rare as 1t was unselnsh; in his
modesty the true characteristic OF the Christian
gentleman, and in his unspotted record, both as
public servant and a private citizen, an example
worthy OF oil emulation.
Resotped That we tender to the family OF the de-
ceased sincere sympathy over their loss, which,
irreparabe as 1t is to the nation, comes with crush
lug force to those who were bound TO him by ties OF
blood and that the officers OF this meeting be re-
guested to forward to them copy OF these reso-
lutioLs.
Resolred That the chairman be requested to ap-
point committee to attend the funeral in body as
representatives OF Philadelphia.
Major-General Mindil read letters from
General Sherman, General Negley, Hon.
Samuel j. Randall, Hon. William d. Kelley
Hon. Charles O'Neill, Hon. Leonard Myers,
Major-General John S. Hartranft, and Cover
nor Geary.
Maior-General Van Vliet was then intro
duced and said he came here to join the mil
lions throughout the country in mourning for
General Thomas. He probably felt the loss
more deeply than any other one present. In
1888 they entered West Point together,
graduated together, and we're assigned to the
Sd Artillery in Florida, and from that time
until the day of General Thomas death they
had been thrown more or less together, and
ia all that time he had never heard an ungen-
tlemanly remark fall from his lips. He was
q kind husband and father. His career in
the army was too we'll known to require to be
dwelt upon.
Major General Patterson followed, saying
that he first became acquainted with General
Thomas in the Mexican war. He was most
| unselfish man, and never forgot the meaning
of the word duty. He was a Christian gentle
ran, a most accomplished and skilful soldier;
he feared God and obeyed His command
ments More he could not saw
The following address was then made by
| Charles Gibbons, Esq.:-
Mr.. Chairman-It rarely happens that whole COM
| muntles are brought together to indulge common
sorrow over the grave OF one man, because it is not
often that death can find mark 80 near to the
| public heart as George ii. Thomas. cannot ven
ture here in the presence of soldiers distinguished
In their profession as any in the world to anayze
| his military character, or even specify the military
| operations by which he won the laurels he so
| modesny wore. But looking only at the great re-
| suits achieved by General Thomas upon fields
renowned in the history of war, can only express
what believe to be the universal sentiment, that
no better soldier ever lived or died under the flag Of
| his country.
| He was not only soldier, but a patriot, in the
highest and nobest sense OF that much misapplied
| word. His patriotism was not short sighted it was
not narrowed in its scope by the boundaries of the
State in which he was born 1t did not glow one
side of an imaginary line. only to grow cold aud
| serviceable on the other, where the same flag
| belonged-where the same language was spoken and
| the same sacred memories were cherished; but it
went with the flag, and embraced all that the symbol
CT our nationality covered and was as pure and un-
selfish in the valley Of the Cumberland and the far
of coast of the Pacific as it ever could be in
his native fields Of Southampton. 1t was national
| patriotism, comprehending the United States OF
| America and nothing less.
That was the America he served, and he hOnOred
it by his services as much as 1t can ever honor him.
Looking the Potomac to the land of his birth
remembering his affection for the beautiful valleys
and the grand old mountains OF his native State and
remembering now much it cost a Virginian to be
faithful and true to the national cause, we might
Justly inscrbe upon his tomb the sentiment that
must have lived in his heart-"not that l loved
Virginia less, but my country more"
lie was a soldier and patriot, without that inor-
dinate and selfish ambition which so often the
| character of our public men. It Is the testimony
not only OF his personal friends and comrades in
| army, but Of all who have watched his honorable
career, that the faithful performance OF his duties
was the widest range OF his ambition-not only hi.
duties q soldier, but his duties also q and
citizen. This was principle and rule Of his life
| which was never neglected, relaxed, or compro
missed. He sought no honor from men which Ma
could not secure and he accepted none which it hat
| not earned No one now points to any act Of his
public life that has left stain upon its record,
| to neglected public duty that can rise in judgneH
| against him.
| General Thomas added to his other virtues tina
| humility which is not always found in men whC
| occupy high positions in the world, but which
wherever found, is always becoming and attractive
know nothing OF his inner life, which was hiddeI
from all human eyes, but cannot contemplate
character externally moulded and preserved In sucl
strict accord with the requirements of Christiant
| result OF constant and acceptable intercourse an
| communion with his Divine Master. He has Tough
good fight; he has finished his course; he has KEEP
| the faith
Perhaps we should not deplore the loss OF a ma
| who has perfected in himself so good and complet
| an example for mankind. The example lives It
} | beyond the power OF DEATH Like new star fixe
in the heavens 1t shines upon the world, AN unfadin
, | and unfailing cynosure for all coming time.
, General Joshua L. Owen, Major A. r. Ca
, houn, General H. H. Bingham, and Rev.
A. Willitts having delivered addresses, th
chairman put the resolutions to vote an
they were adopted, after which the meetin
dispersed.