The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1875-11-03
GOV. KEMPER's ADDRESS.

At the Inauguration Of the Jackson Statue, Gov.
Kemper made handsome address of welcome to
the immense assemblage.
My Countrymen: The oldest Of the al
has called together this great cohccuFse OF
her sons and daughters, With honored repre-
sentives of both the late contending sections
of our common country. o. tails day,
aboundipg with stern memories OF the past
and great auguries of the future, | come to
greet you and, in the name and by the au-
thority of Virginia, l bid you all and each
welcome, heart warm welcome, to her cspi-
tai.
With mothers tears aud love, vi cere-
monies to be chronicled in her archives and
transmitted to her latest prosterity, the
commonwealth this day emblazons the virtues
and consecrates in enduring bronze the I'M.
age of her mighty dead. Not for herself
alone, but for the sister States whose sons
he led in war, Virginia accepts, and che
will proudly preserve the sacred trust nav
consigned to her perpetual custody. Not
for the Southern people only, but for every
citizen of whatever section Of the American
republic, this tribute to illustrate virtue and
genius is transmitted to the coming ages, to
be cherished as it will be with the national
pride as one of the noblest memorials of
common heritage of glory. Nay, in every
country and for all mankind, Stonewall
Jackson's career Of unconscious heroism will
90 down as an inspiration, teaching the pow
er of courage and conscience and faith d.
rected to the glory of God.
As this tribute has sprung from the admi
ration and sympathy CT kindred hearts in
another continent; as the eyes of Christen-
dom have turned to.behold the achievements
of the man; so will the heroic life here en-
shrined radiate back to the remotest bounds
of the world, the lessons its example has
taught.
It speaks to our fellow citizens of the
North, and, reviving no animosties of the
bloody past, it commands their respect for
the valor, the manhood, the integrity and
honor of the people Of whom this Christian
warrior was representative type and cham
pion.
| II speaks to our stricken brethren of the
South, bringing back the sublime simplicity
and faith, his knightly and ipcorruptible Fl
deity to each engagement of duty; and it
stands an enduring admonition and guaran-
tee that sooner shall the sun reverse it's
course in the heavens than his comrades and
his compatriot people prove recreant to the
parole and contract Of honor which binds
them, in the fealty of freedom, to the con-
sttution and union of the States.
1t speaks with equal voice to every por.
ton of the reunited common country, warn
ing all that impartial justice and impartial
right, to the North and to the South, are
the only pillars on which the arch of the
Federal uoion can securely rest.
1t represents that unbought spirit Of hon
or which prefers death to degradation, and
more feels stain than wound which is
the stern nurse Of freedom, the aveDging
genius of liberty, and which teaches and pro-
claims that the free consent Of the governed
is at once the strength and glory of the
government.
1t stands forth mute protest before the
world against that rule of tyrants which,
wanting faith in the instincts of honor, would
distrust aud degrade brave but unfortunate
people, which would bid them repent, in or
der to be forgiven Of such deeds and achieve
ments as heroes rejoice to perform, aud
such as the admiration of mankind in every
age has covered with glory.
Let the spirit and design with which we
erect this memorial to day admonish our
whole country that the actual reconciliation
of the States must come, and, so far as hon.
orably in us lies, shall come; but that its
work will never be complete until the equal
honor and equal liberties of each section
shall be acknowledged, vindicated, and main
tanned by both. We have buried the strlfes
and passions Of the past; We now perpetuate
impartial honor TO whom honor is due, and,
stopping to resent no criticism, we stand with
composure and trust ready to greet every
token of Just and constitutional pacifcation.
Then let this statue endure, attesting to
the world for us and our children, honor,
homage, reverence for the hercism Of our
past, and at the same time the kDightliest
fidelity to our obligations of the present and
future. li,, 3s,.
Let it endure as symbol of the respect
which both the sections will accord to the il
lustrious dead Of each, signifying, not that
either will ever be prepared to apologize to
the other, but that, while calmly differing as
to the past, neither will defle its record,
each will assert its manhood, its rectitude
and its honor, and both will equally and
Jointly strive to consolidate the liberty and
the peace, the strength and the glory of a
common and indissoluble country.
Let it endure as perpetual expression of
that worldwide sympathy with true great
ness which prompted SO noble gift from
Great Britain to Virginia; and let its pres
ervation attest the gratitude of the Com
monwealth to those great hearted gentlemen
of England who originated and procured it
as tribute to the memory of her son.
Let this statue stand, with its mute elo-
quence to inspire our children with patriotic
fervor, and to maintain the prolific power of
the Commonwealth in bringing forth men as
of old. Let Virginia, beholding her past in
the light of this event, take heart and re-
ioice in her future. Mothers of States and
sages and heroes bowed in sorrow, with
bosom bruised and wounded, with garments
rent and rolled in blood, arise and dash away
all tears No stain dins your 9littering es-
cutcheon Let your brow be lifted up with
glad consciousness of unbroken pride and
unsullied honor Demand and resume COM
plete possession of your ancient place in the
sisterhood of States; and 60 forward to the
great destiny which, in virtue of the older
and the later days, belongs to the sovereign
Commonwealth Of Virginia.
1t is no spirit of mourniug-it is with the
stern joy and pride BETTING this day of he
roic memories, that inaugurate these cere-