Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1877-06-16
TIRGiNIA FREE PRESS.
{. \. G Y. Y. B. GAIlAHBl. EDITORS
Saturday, June IS, 1877.
DR.. Plumcr's Speech.
4 Scene in he Northern PresJyterian Genera
assembly.

When tho sui jcct Of the restoration Of friend
ly relations with the Southern Presbyterian
Church was under consideration in Chicago,
in the General Assembly Of the Northern
Prcsby tcrian Church, recently, the following
scene occurred Tho Chicago Times is the
painter;
Rev Dr. Van Dj kc, in the course ola speech
against making any further concessions, though
he said in substance that he was opposed 10
the late war, alluded to a statement which had
been made iu the city 10 the effect that dele
gate was in Chicago from the Southern Gcnernl
Assembly, aud that this General Assembly
had refused to receive him. This was not
true but distinguished divine Of South
Carolina was visiting the city, man whom be
had loved MS his oUu soul, and nc moved shat
the Rev. Dr. Plumer be invited TO address the
General Assembly on the subjcc. Of reunion
10 the disclcdit oi The members the motion
was no, unanimously carried The invitation
50 churlishly accorded procured response
which must be characterized rs extraordinary
All eyes were turned toward a cynosurc
under the gallery, near the main entrance. A
little gentle clappiDg Of the hands in that di-
rcction disseminated no infection beyond the
narrow immediate circle Slowly the group
| separated, aud through the friendly breach
thus formed strobe majestic figure. AS the
grand vision dawncd upon the upturned faces
of the Assembly resistance 10 It's charms was
| impossible generous impulse overcamo the
beat Of prejudice aud courtesy paid voluntary
tribute to the highest type of manliness. The
applause arose aud swciled and waued again {;
tbcn waxcd higher aud more fervent as the
royal form went ON down the aisle, aud as the
gallery caught the first glimpse Of his al
vanciug figure ladies aud gentlemen rose On
masse aud chcorcd and chccrcd again, while
the pcnt-up emotion Of the scene found vent
here and there in unchecked tears
Tlis man might have sat for Michael An
gclo's Hoses. 10 Italy, some Of tho landscapes
arc SO much admired because they 50 remind
the bchodcr Of Claude Loraine's pictures
Dr. Plumcr is . living sculpture Of heroic mold
As be stood thero iacing tho assembly, calm
and rigid, one could not resist the fancy that
the statue Of patriarch or prophet, Moses
or Elijah. would have such a personitica,ioD-
Above the average height, symmetrical in pro-
portion, straight aud firm, he presented the
rare aud beautiful spt ctacle Of perfect old ago
His hair and beard are white Gs the puTcst
snow the latter waving about bis breast like
q flowing vcstment. His hair lies thick and
uudula;ing. in lines of statucsquc grace. Ills
eyes are bright, as with a consciousness Of be-
inc near enough the Gate Of Light to catch q
reflection e the Il ny rom within Ills fca,urcf,
aspect, stature, expression, gesture-f0r al
ready bis curyiug arm commanded thrilling
sileuco-all spoke man Of power. strength
and grace. At first, bis voice was low but not
indistiuct. The volume increased with the
increasing unctiou Of his thought, and as be
proceeded all eyes were rOpt upon his, for
brief as was lis speech the Assembly rocog
nizcl the FIRST true orator who bad stood before
il. What ho said must be read 10 full How
be said, that pen would be indeed presumptu-
Gus which would attempt TO describe. The
spectacle was ono never b be forgotten ty
those who saw it-as a spectacle Of the grand
cur Of age, with DO trace Of It's weakness Of
the tenderness Of age, withoutimbecility; Of the
eloQueucc Of aye, with undiminshcd fervor ;
delivered over register Of cadence mellowod
by q trcmor 10 harmony with the snow upon
bis head, but viyGed by dynamic power in
harmony with the valor aud sGnctity ol bis
aspect. Let not any reader omit the perusal
Of what he said. lie pleaded as Paul in old
age would have pleaded, fOr charity love and
brotherly goodwill. Ho pleaded that the
present might lie used to brighten the future
aud hide the past. :" BY what this Assembly
does to-day" he exclaimed, Christ viii be
greatly houorcd--or dishono'ed lie had been
told of one who had so excellent memory
that lie never forgot anything " | have rea.
Of ouc who bad still better memory-Arch-
bishop Cranmer. who never forgot anything
but Injuries. Nay God in Ills mercy give US
all such memories"
But tie appeal was in vain.