Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1875-11-16
saFRANsIRNT BILLs-oAsH,

reot the eyes of tho world to the field OF Get
tysburg, they made it to us sore subject, re-
viSiug sorrow for the 'unreturning brave
who fell there, increasing the poignancy Of
defeat By the contrast between tho bright
promise of tho first days battle and the dis
astrous reslizations of the third, and brings
ing to mind the sad refrain:
t0f all sad words of tongue or pen
The saddest are thess-it might have been.'s
''Thoretore its glorious annals have been
neglected on our side criticisms and ceusurea
upon gallant aud worthy officers have gone un.
challenged, and as yet no hand has uufolded
the graphic scroll that shall tell to time The
deeds which are worthy of eternity.
"Let no Confederate shrink before the name
of Gettysburg because it was dark With dis
aster and bitter with disappointment. Tho
gallant Frenchman blushes for Sedan and
Metz the blush of shame, but with us the
cheek may we'll glow with honest pride as we
recall the past, that on the day Of our mis-
fortune the flame of liberty was fed with the
richest libation ever poured upon her altar,
aud glory opened to the Confederate brother.
hood who gathered around them the doors OF
Immortality. The open fields over which the
unshetered heroes moved tell more eloquently
than tho emblazoued page of history tho tale
of their devotion, and all Seminary Ridge 10
their everlasting monument. And now We
may apply to thom the words of Pericles,
pronounced in memory of the AtheuiAns who
fell in the Saraccn war: They are become
immortal like the gods for tue gods them>
selves ore not visible; but from the honefs
thcy receive and the happiness they enjoy We
conclude they aro'immortal, and such should
those brave mon DO who die for their country
"Nor let the Confederate shrink before that
critic who, from tho serene atmosphere Of hi6
sanctum, steps forth to pluck laurel from
the reputation of that great commander, who
so boldly attempted what others would pale to
think of. With the fall of Vicksburg inn
minent. Con. Lee felt that the hour do
manded this heroulean effort With the
spirit of Caesar or a Napoleon he bravely
cast aud bravely stood the hazard of the die.
By tho very audacity Of his we'll aimed stroke
he deservcd-by the steady heroism of Pick
ett's meu-he we'll nigh won, and only by
series of those curious accidents which, in tho
gamo of war, contound the wisdom of the
wise, did he lose that crOwning triumph which
his supreme endeAvor was so we'll devised to
win.
"'It was all my fault, said Gen. Lee, but
not such will bc the verdict of tho Just his
torian who shNll-trace through the sanguiuary
and tumultuOus incidents Of that hard fought
fold the course Of him who after exposing his
person with unconscious courage to al the
dangers OF the fray, in the grandeur Of his
soul would cruelty his own illustrious name,
and mako that reputation, more precious than
life itself, vicAr;Ous sacrifice for his liouteu-
ants and his men. And when tho moralist,
seeking the brightest example of wha. is ho-
roic and grand in action and martyr>like in
spirit, that he may erect model before hu>
man kind to warm its finest fancies aud ex-
cite its highest aspirations, no shall find IL in
the person of Robert Loo upon the summit of
Seminary Ridge, the mount of his confgura>
ton, were subimating all earthly instincts,
the divinity in his bosom was transcendOnt
through the man, aud his spirit rose up into
the godIiko
"Aud the day shall dawn when here ON The
Capitol Square we shall look again upon the
warriors form and Faco moulded in perennial
bronze; shall SEQ him once moro mount ted on
his battle steed, the seeming image Of majesty
and victory and the ego of the wayiarer, The
patriot and tho pilgrim shall grow brighter
here as it coptempates with ono glance Ihreo
illustrious and congenial spirits, born in Vir-
Rnin, given to humanity, World.renowned-
George Washington, Stouowall Jackson aud
Robert Lee" ,r