Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1875-10-26

y rest
1t represents that unbought spirit of honor
which prefers death to degradation, and more
feels stain than wound; which is the stern
nurse OF freemon,the svenging genius Of liberty,
and which teaches and prOclaims that the free
consent of the governed is at once the strength
and glory of the government.
1t stands forth mute protest beforethe world
against that rule Of tyrants which, waiting
faith in the instincts of honor would distrust
and degrade brave and roud but unfortunate
people, which would bid them repent, in order
as heroes rejoice to perform, ard such as the sd-
mlrstlon 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 coun-
try that the actual reconciliation of the States
must come, and, so far rs honorably in US lies,
shall come; bu! that its work will never be
complete until the equal honor and equsl lber-
ties of each section shall be acknoW ged, vim
dicated, a I'd maintained by both. We have
buried the slrltes 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 pacitcs-
ton.
Then let this ststue endure, attesting to the
world for US and our children, honor, homage,
reverence for the heroism OF our past, and at the
tons OF the present md future.
Let it endure rs symbol Of the respect which
both the sections will accord to the lllustious
dead OF each, slgnitylng, not that either will
ever be prepared to apologize to the other but
that, while calmly differing rs to the past
neither will dehle 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 common and indissoluble country.
Let 1t endure as perpetual expression Of
that world wide sympathy with true greatness
which prompted so noble u gift from Great
Britain to Virginia.; and let its preservation at
test the gratitude Of the Commonwealth to those
great hearted gentlemen of Engand who orig.
mated and procured it as tribute 10 the mem
DRY of her son.
Let this statue stand with its mute eloquence
TO inspire our children with patriotic tervor and
to maintain the prolific power of the Common
wealth in bringing forth men as of old. Let
Virginia, beholdng her past in the light of this
ey emit, take heart and rejoice in her future
Mother 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 dims your
up with glad consciousness of unbroken pride
and unsullied honor! Demand and resume
complete possession Of your ancient place in the
slsterhood of States and 60 forward to the great
destiny which, in virtue of the older and the
later days, belongs to the co-sovereign Com
monweslth of Virginia.
It's in no spirit of mourning-it is with the
stern joy and pride betting this day of heroic
memories, that lnaugurate these ceremonies in
the name of the people
The eulogist Of the dead, the orator Of the day,
now claims your attention. He needs no enco-
and friend of Jackson, the reverend man of God
Moses D. Hoge.
Rev. Moses D. Hoge, D D., the orator of the
day, being introduced, the statue was unveiled
amid the booming of cannon therattle of mus.
kerry, and prolonged old Confederate yels.
DR.. Hoge delivered long but beautifully
conceived GRAFTON, in substance as follows:
Were permitted at this moment to consult
my own wishes, | would bid the thunder of the
cannon and the acclamations Of the people au-
nounce the unVelllng Of the statue and then
when with hearts beating with columingled
emotions OF love, and grief, and admiration we
had contemplated this last and noblest creation
OF the genius OF the great culptOr, the ceremo-
MES of this august hour should eud.
ln attempting to commence my grafton,
am torcibyraminded Of the ialeriug words with
which Bossuet began his splendid eulogy on
the Prince of Conde. Said he LAT the mo-
ment open my lips to celebrate the immortal
glory of the Prince of Condo, | fud myself
equally overwhelmed by the greatness of the
theme and the needlessness of the task. What
part Of the habitable world has not heard of
his victories and the wonders of his life L? Every
where they are rehcarsed. His own country
men 10 extolllng them can give 90 information
even to the stranger And although may re-
mind you of them, yet everything [ could say
would be anticipated by your thoughts, and I
should suffer the reproach of falling far below
them"
How true is all this to-day? Not only is
every important event 10 the lie Of our illus
trous chieftain familiar to You all, but what
lesson to be derived from his example has not
already been impressively enforced by those
whose genius, patriotism and piety have quail
bed them to speak in terms worthy of thelx no.
BILE theme. Aud now that the statesman aud
soldier, who we'll represents the honor of Viz
glnla as its chief magistrate, has given his
warm and earnest welcome to our distinguish
ed guests from other States, and from other
lands, who honor the occasion by their presence,
| would not venture to proceed had not the
Commonwealth laid on me its command to ut
ter some words of greeting to my felIow-coun.
trymen who this day do honor to themselves in
rendering homage to the memory of Virginia's
lllustrious SOD.
1t is singular and striking illustration of
the world wide appreciation of his character,
that the first statue of Jackson comes from
abroad, and that while the monument to our
w ashington aud the efigies of those who sur
round him, we're erected by order of the Com
nonwealth, this memorial is the tribute of the
admiration and love of those who never saw bis
face, and who were bound to Tim by no ties
save those which common sympathy for ex
allied worth establishes between the souls of
magnaninous and heroic men. We accept this
magnificent gift all the more gratefully, because
1t comes from men Of kiodred race and kim
dred hearts, as the expression of their good
will and sympathy for our people as well as
their admiration for the genius and character
of our iIlustrious hero.
We accept it as the visible symbol of the an-
olent friendship which existed in colonial times
between Virginia and the mother country. We
accept 1t as the prophecy of the incoming of
British settlers 10 our sparsely populated terri
tory, and hail it as pleasing omen for the fu-
that tho r.bpild;or &c