The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1875-11-03
TIE GREAT ASSEMBLY IN RICHMOND.

her people as gathered around the statue OF
Jackson. was never before seen in all her
borders, and will be seen in this generation
only once again, when there shall come an
other Outpouring to do honor in like manner
to his illustrious compeer and chieftain,
Robert E. Lee.
We have referred to the vast concourse OF
people at this Inauguration; and one thing be-
longing to it is most notewOrthy-the CON-
plete good order and sObriety of conduct
preserved throughout. The number of per-
sons assembled in and around the Capitol
Square is variously estimated between thirty
and fifty thousand; yet the behavior was
almost like that of congregation of wOr-
shippers in the sanctuary. A distinguished
English gentleman remarking upon this fea-
ture of the scene, said that it was unlike
anything he had ever witnessed in his life.
This simple fact indicates at once the char
acter of the multitude assembled together,
and the depth and sOlemnity of those feel
ings by which they were moved.
The address of DR.. HOge is BY universal
consent completely up to the demands of this
great occasion. In the propriety and ex-
cellence of its whole conception, and in the
singular chasteness and beauty of its express
sion, there is nothing wanting to crafty the
feelings Of our people. That it should refer,
in some of their aspects, to questions which
have convulsed the whole land, was unavoid-
able. These are not made unduly promi-
nent, and are judiciously presented. ltmay
be proper also to remark that the tone and
sentiments found in this address are those
held from the Susquehanns to the Rio
Grande, by every Southern man, woman
and child in whose bosom throbs true South.
ern heart. If upon that basis any true, or
even tolerable Cancellation can be established
between sections widely estranged both in
fact and in feeling, the Lord grant it; if
not, the Lord forbid it; and in His merciful
kindness increase our alienation tenfold, and
keep it so forever! And "if that be trea-
son, make the most of it.
But it was not because of any political
bearings of this address that it was published
in the Central Presbyterian, or that we now
speak Of it. 1t was on account of the great
moral lessons it presents, especially to the
young men of our land. We hope that se-
lect passages will be embodied speedily in
the textbooks of our common schools, and
that so the earliest conceptions of our chill
dren may be imbued with these exalted
truths, and their characters moulded after
such noble patterns. Virginia is rich in the
lives of her great men, and "their sepulchres
are with US to this day." The highest lesson
from the life of Jackson, and of Lee also, is
that the crown of their greatness was in their
goodness; their uuselfsh, supreme devotion
to duty their fidelity to all trusts; their
nobility of soul their true-hearted Christian
piety. A divine "gentleness " made them
great. Without it they never could have
become so sacredly and completely inshrined
in the hearts of their countrymen. 1t was
their sublime faith, added to other virtues,
which made their names such tower of
strength in the mighty conflict in which they
were engaged, and which has won for them
immortal honor. This is the great truth
now uttered from the grave of General Jack
son, and of which this statue is a perpetual
memorial.
Of like and equal purport was the life
of Jackson's great and admired chieftain.
" Remember, my son, said General Lee,
"that duty is the sublimest word in the
language" In the first private CONVEX
sation held with him after his election as
President of Washington College, (amOng
whose trustees the writer of this has the
honor to be numberedD ne said, and with q
manner and emphasis We can never forget
"H has seemed the WiU of Providence that
zoe should be defeated an the great object
for whicA Ve fought. What chiefly re-
mains for us nO,O is to do everything IN our
poaoer to inculcate right sentiments among
our people; to keep up and elsuate their
moral and Intellectual tone IF that as done,
they may be Impoverished and depressed, bat
can never be degraded and sOill be sure to
gain IN the end.
These words of wisdom were so deeply
engraven upon our memory at the time, and
have been so often repeated, that they are
now accurately given. They are worthy,
like the author, to be had gin everlasting
remembrance" To aid in this let another
statue be soon provided in our Capitol
Square, "whither the tribes may go up"
Lee and Jackson "were lovely and pleasant
in their hves;" let them in these memorials
stand not far divided. The moral impress
sion of such transaction as was witnessed on
the 26th of October, was worth more than
words can express. As far as in US lies let
it be perpetuated.
Rev. William N. Scott.-NOtice has been
toLan oP tha oou from tba Tbird prashvta-