Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1875-08-04

cradle was not to be trusted, for bisssympathies
were not right. and this be believed to be true,
and of its truth Gen. Pickett was an iustrious
example, for over suffering he wept, and with
the glad and joyous he made merry. Tender
to feeble old age, loving and sympathetic to in
fancy, very lion when danger confronted, a
very woman when weakness and suffering laid
claim 10 his sympathes.. he Feodeared himself
not only to the hearts of his own command,
but of every soldier Of the. Army of Northern
Virginia
The committee, through it's chairman, Capt.
T. b. Hooe, reported that they had discharged
the duty'entrusted to them, but before submit
ting the resolutions he felt he would not be do
ing justice to the memory Of gallant soldier aud
gentleman and companion in arms if he did
not give some utterancs to his feelings on the
occasion. He could add nothing to what the
chairman had so eoqucntly and beautifully
said, but speaking for himself, be knew Gen.
Pickett as friend and as one Of Virginia s
bravest sons and most chivalrous Knights He
was kind, sympathetic, just and honorable, as
tender hearted as woman, and as brave as
lion. He then read the resolutions, which are
as follows: --a- r. ..
Acknowledging in the death of Major General
George K. Pickett an affective dispensstion of
L tofiueuCe, We, VI Lie lhLe SOnleQefaL6 StAteS
army, residing in Alexandria, Va and now in
meeting assembled
Resolve. lst, That with all who followed or
knew the deceased we unite in bearing willing
| testimony to his unsullied fame and dashin &
glory as soldier.
I'd. That the brilliance of his martial fame was
tempered and adorned by gsntleness of nature
which made him the sincere friend and affection
| ate companion.
Sd. That the loftiness of an untarnished in
tegrity gave majesty to his character which
| the joy of success, the wound of reverse or the
| trials of life could not mar.
| 4th. And whilst we recognize and cherish his
| virtues IN war IS embracing all that constitute
the solder-a character equal to prosperity
still we seem to discern in his civil career those
beautiful traits of submission snd moderation,
which teach US that be was likewise superior to
| adversely. 1a
9Th. That these resolutions be published in
Tho papers of the city, and copy sent to the
family of the deceased.
Capt. D. L. Smoot said: It is solemn
pleasure to be permitted, after passing through
the dangers Of four years of unsuccessful stIug-
gle, and the difficulties and dangers of ten
years succeeding the war; to be surrounded by
those who once, with elastic step, looked for
ward to the day when their hardships as sol.
dlcrs would be over. and when the column OF
war worn veterans, with the honored chairman
at their head, should approach the city and
march down the principal thoroughfare with
banners streaming and the heavens resoundipp
with the cry of success. That was the dream
OF the soldier; that was what quickened bis
step; but alas, 1t was a dream never to be re-
allied. With tune comes reason, and With
| reason Christian submission to the will of an
all wise power; but these things were most too
much for the heart to bear. Where is the man
! who eau be happy when he looks back on the
wreck over which his feet once carried him
and realize that all was in VAIN The grandest
hopes OF the soldier, when be rushed to the
charge or beared his bosom to the storm, were
to receive the approving plaudits of his CRATE
iul couOtrymeD. Those hopes which in NINA.
ture be bad seen were worth all the trials Of
the camp and the battle ield-a the suherings
of the soldier. He spoke not as partisan, be-
cause those things bad passed away, but as
cosmopollte, and of the hopes of the soldier.
That hope lighted up the eye of George E.
Pickett amid the terrors of battle, and upon
the heights Of Gettysburg That man would
have had remarkable courage who under his
flashing eye could have run to the rear when
George 81. Pickett pointed coward, He was
DOT personally acquainted with Gen. Pick EFT.
lie had heard gentlemen to. night speak of those
gentle virtues that linked heart to heart. IL
| was his SOLEMN pleasure to second the resolu-
tons that had been offered, believing the com.
mlttee had expressed the sentiments of the
people Of Alexandria,. He would like to Law
upon the remains of Gen. Pickett the tribute
| OF oratory that his virtues aud character de-
serve, but he could not commence much less
complete the work of doing justice to the mem.
DRY Of George Il Pickett
| Maj. Linden Kent said that the companion
ship OF diversity and misfortune was knit TO-
eether by stronger chords Of affection than
those which bound the common association OF
prosperity. The comrades who had shared
the hardshlps OF life. who had struggled side by
SIDE together, chershing common hope, and
| suffering common disappointment were more
! faithful friends than those who Mingled 10 the
| ordinary relations oflfe. When those who we're
! present should recall the experiences of their
soldier lives, trought with privation and suffer
| log the occasion Of their meeting to do honor
| to the hoDored dead was clothed With peculiar
| sadness aud solemnity. for it was the last sad
| tribute they were paying to their beloved COM
| pauion and gallant leader. A meeting like this
| has nothing to do with the contention OF life,
1T is prompted by affection. characterized by
sympathy and sorrow and will perpetuate CRATE
lul memories. He paid high tribute to
"Plckett,s Division, which possessed cour-
age equal to every battle, an endurance equal
| to all fatigue, patience that never murmured
under trials, a resignation that no hardshps
| could disturb, and patriotism that knew no
| limits to its sacrifice i, each member seemed to
know soldiers duty, and was ready to dis
| charge it; it pattered not if it carried them
amoug the, flashing Of the guns" or in the
dull routine OF camp life, or again if it called
him to walk the lonely sentiners beat on the
banks OF our own river, amid the solemn sill
ness Of Hight; the army peacefully sleeping,
might sleep on in security, for between them
and the enemy was faithful watchmen to tell
them of the night. Ii such the rank and file
what must have been their leader-a eulogy to
his comrades would be useless He thought
that 1t was better that they should cherish the
memories of such deeds-it made them better
men, and as such better citizens.
The, speeches were all received with an
plause.
Col. Cochran moved that the resolutions be
adopted by rising vote, and 10 silence, which