The morning star and Catholic messenger., 1877-11-04

grave. There was 80 much of the storm
| in his life that many who have lived and
| acted upon the stage with him are not pre-
pared to judge him correctly. The future
history of the republic. Born in poverty,
! bic life had been one of brilliant euccess.
Either he was born under au auspicious
star, or endowed with rare abilities. The
world seldom presents such an example of
unbroken triumphs. He was self wilied
man. Had he not been his career would
have been a failure. He rssofutefy stood
by his convictions. He wore no coward's
heart. He carried his principles upon his
sleeve, and never sought to hide his faults
by dissimulatioD. He provoked opposition
! and never bowed to the fury of the storm
he had created. If his culture was not
abroad, his instincts were quick and uner-
riBg- He was an apt pupil IN the school of
human nature. Possibly 1t were we'll he
was not crammed with the learning of past
ages. Had he been epcumbered with the
routine of red tape and the teachings of
West Point, he might have been as unsnc-
cessful as the scientific graduates whom he
outstripped in the race to greatness. The
scholar lives too much in his closet, de-
pends too much on what be has learned to
always correctly act when thrown on his
native resources. So long as the war lasted
General Forrest was foremost in the fight,
but since he surrendered his sword be has
been conservative in his politics, opposed
everything extreme in his comrades, and
has urged peace and obedience to law, and
on many occasions has expressed a willing
ness to enlist in defence of our common
country. AS soldier he was ever ago
nized by the pinch of hunger, the want of
clothing, the torture of sickness, and the
corroding cares which his men had to en-
dure. He was sometimes harsh to them
but his grand department on the field, by
the camp fire, on the march, aud in the midst
of battle, inepired the soldiers under his
command with q confidence in his jadg
ment, his sincere and ardent patriotism,
and they attributed his severity to the
eccentricity of genius they were ever
ready to follow.
Neither ambition nor vain glory could
have achieved such prodigies of valor as
General Forrest performed. Nothing but
love for the people who now mourn his
death-a love as pure as that which ami
mated the ragged and shoeless Contnentals
at Valley Forge, and stained the frozen
General Forrest and his compatyiots
during four long years of danger and suf-
fering. Death had no terrors to General
Forrest. He died with the serenity of
philosopher. Last summer, at Bailey
Springs, he spoke of his readiness to meet
his God and his inward cravings for rest
from the battle of life, which to him had
he was extremely anxious to live for use
full purposes and to make another fortune.
! which he saw in sight, for his wife and
| only son, to hie confidential friends he in
variably touched in the still hours the
same Eolian chord that marmured of
failure, the nothingness of life, and death
as desire. But enough. We leave to
history the duty Of committing to an i'm
perishable record g faithful detail of those
brilliant military achievements which in
after years will become a precious portion
of the legacy of this great republic. The
fame of N. B. Forrest will ever reflect
luster upon the American name. Posterity
will keep bright the splendor of his heroic
deeds. His statue may not now occupy a
niche in the American Pantheon; DO
"Painted Porch" is his like that of Athens,
where, for half a Thousand years, the
descendants of the men who had followed
Miltiades to victory might trace the
glories of their Marathon no cleaning
castles, as of old, with the light flaming
through gorgeous windows to illuminate
his name and his battered flags of victo-
rious battle no grand historic abbey, like
that of England, which marks the resting
place of princes, kings and soldiers who
have inscribed their names high upon the
deathless roll of fame, awaits his death and
burial in E'mwood nay, none of these
await the remains of Nathan Bedford For
rect to morrow. He will sleep by beloved
kindred who have gone peIore, ana oy too
side of the beautiful little daughter he loved
80 we'll, and only the quiet stars will keep
watch over his grave but he leaves fame
which malice cannot touch, which t1orld
panegyric cannot burnish, and which will
be frightened by countless ages.
THE FUNERAL OF GEN. FORREST.
Memphis Oct 3l.-The funeral of Gen.
Forrest took place at noon at the Cumber-
land Presby terian Church. Rev. DR.. Stain
back, who had been q private soldier under
Forrest, oficiated. Not only the church,
but the street for squares was crowded
with people. Among the pail bearers were
ex- President Jefferson Davis, Gov. Porter,
Hon. Jacob Thompson and Col. Galloway,
DR.. Cowan and Major Rambant of Forests
STAFF, and Capt. j. Donaldson. The General
| was dressed in his old uniform at his own
request, aud as the casket containing the
remains was carried into the church, it wse
almost impossible to keep back the crowd
go anxious were all to take q last look al
his face. After the service was concluded
the funeral cortege took up the line Of
march up Second and down Main streets
and was composed of mounted ex-Confed
crates preceding the hearse. Music, Odd
| Fellows, Chickasaw Guards, Bluff City