Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1877-06-12

which it had pleased God to call them; but the
had been educated to love their States, to hol
their honor, watchful of their rights. obedier
to their will and now, when their voices reach
ed them calling them to do battle for their homo
of duty, and unhesitatingly obeyed
Il They fell, some of them, in the tempest {
battle, with the light of victory in their eyes
and shout of triumph on their lips but 70
most of them it was reserved to die in hospitals
from ebbing wounds, or under the slow torture
of wasting disease; but however, or wherever
they yielded up their lives, they died a sacrifice
to their love of country, as glorious martyrs t.
| the cause of honor and duty. Here, on every
hand, they rest from all earthly joys and sOr
rows.
1.-THE breezy call of DEMONSTRATING morn,
The swallow twittering from the straw-buil
The cocks shrill clarion, or the echoing horn,
No more shall rouse them from their lOwly
bed.
For them no more the blazing hearth shall burn,
Or busy housewife ply her evening care:
No children run to lisp their sires return,
Or climb his knees the envied kiss to share"
But they have not died in vain, these soldiers
of Lost Cause ~ Their story ennobles man
hood So long as self-sacrifice shall be honored
among men, the chivalrous courage, the heroic
fortitude, the brilliant achievements of these
unconquered followers of the knightly and
peerless Lee and Jackson shall live IN In history
federate Dead shall fresh inspirations OF manli-
ness be ever gathered by their countrymen. and
to them shall
d Honor come q pilgrim grey
To bless the turf that wraps their clay,
And Freedom shall awhile repair,
To dwell a weeping hermit here!''
Young men of Virginia-tO whose wisdom and
patriotism the State looks hopefully for the
shaping of her future career-I would not have
you inherit any of the revengeful feelings which
were the offspring of the late civil strife In that
struggle for our liberties and constitutional
10Th mn Loot mn III ON
the misgovernment to which, through. sectional
and partisan hate we have been since, at times,
subjected, we have been called to endure even
worse evils than those which resulted directly
from the war; but remember that patient
continuance in well-dOing under adverse cir
may sometimes prove even more
heroic than valor displayed upon a battlefield.
Danish then from your hearts all vindictive re-
if any has found lOdgment there,
of the wrongs and injuries of the past, and in a
spirit of comprehensive patriotism labor for the
peace and prosperity Of every part of our now
e-united country. This is clearly your duty, |
and good policy as well, for by so doing shall We
put to silence the ignorance of foolish" and |
the malice of wicked "men."
But, as you value your own good name, in |
woke you to cherish forever, in grateful remem- |
brance, the heroic men to whose memories we |
are now met to pay loving tribute. Thought
they struggled failed, they have left a record of
manly virtues as q priceless inheritance for |
coming generations Their strong arms are
dust, their lips are mute forever but from these
graves voice speaks to each of us-Let us heed
its utterance!-
20 heart, whatever lot to thee God gives,
Be strong and swerve not from blameless
way,
hurts the soul that ever lives,
Death hurts the body that is kin with clay.
Though Duty's face is stern, her path is best;
rhey sweetly sleep who die upon her breast"
At the conclusion of the address, which was
listened to with marked attention and great
lelight, the Stonewall Brigade Band played in
excellent style two pleces-''Where are the
riends of my YOUTH" and "Safe in the arms of
les,
Then the graves were strewn with flowers
Turing which time salutes were fired by the
Staunton Artillery and by both the infantry
Harrisonburg Guard, and the
West Augusta Guard.
When the decoration was completed, the pro-
session returned to the city. and the Harrison
burg Guard were taken to the armory of the
West Augusta Guard, where they stacked arms
and partook OF the refreshments prepared for
hem.
AT two O'Clock committees from the West
Augusta Guard and the Staunton Artillery es-
,orted the Harrisonburg Guard to the Virginia
md American Hotels, where they were fur
1ished with an excellent dinner specially pre-
pared for them.
At four o'clock all the companies re-assem-
,led at the West Augusta Guard armory, and,
accompanied by the Stonewall and Harrison
burg bands, marched out Main street and
around the grounds of the D., D. & B. Institu-
don and returned to the depot of the Valley
whence, amidst repeated cheering,
,he Harrisonburg boys took the train for home.
Before their departure, Lieut.. McChesney, of
he West Augusta Guard, and Capt. Fultz, of
,he Staunton Artillery, made very happy little
speeches, complimenting the Harrisonburg
Guard upon their handsome appearance and
excellent drill. and on behalf of the military of
staunten wished them the greatest success, and
hoped that in the future the meetings of the
,wo companies might be frequent and as pleas
INT as it had been on this occasion.
Capt Roller responded briefly and happily
IN behalf of the Harrisonburg Guard, and with
hree cheers and tiger they boarded the train