Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1878-06-01

or paint the rainbow or add lustre to the dew
drop for any one to endeavor TO eulogize the
Grafton Of Gen. Blackburn. The synopsis we
make viii give only an imperfect conception
Of his line Of thought-nono atall of the ex-
Quisite richness and beauty Of his incompara-
bic performance. We give our recOllections,
fresheued by notes made, for those of our read
ers who were not present. Those who were
and heard it will enjoy the memory thereof
until they die OF become imbCcile. There
were some there who did not listen to the dis
tinguished speaker-they placed higher esti-
mate on their own eloQuence and talked to
the great annoyance of those who we're there
to hear aud appreciate the address Of the elC-
qucnt Keutuckiar
Gen. Blackburn rose and commenced BY
saying: The brightest jewels OF nation are
tue ashes Of her heroic dead. and we are gath
cred here TO honor these priceless gems. coo
Accustomed duripg life to the prosecution Of
his profession aud the grappling with the
ruder issues Of current politics into which he
had been thrust, he had for years persist
cd 10 u resolution not TO appear in public life
unless it be 10 the lno Of that profession or
that ayocaton; but no resolution Of his own
or another making could suffice 70 seal bis
lips when called on to bear his altestation to
the manly heroic deaths of those who fell IN
the battle cry. lIo did no, forget that he
stood upon historic soil-that this State, rude
IS wreuched in time OF war from the mother
Commonwealth, was part otthe famed Valley
Of Yirgjnia-every foot Of which was crlmsoned
with the carnage ct the Gght-this the spot
ON which the prelude TO the great drama was
enacted. lie would refrain from reviewing the
conflict in which q continent rocked beneath
the tramp Of armies. We have come 10 deoo-
rate the graves Of martyred heroes-it meters
not whether from this or from other States.
whether great aud commanding or poor aud
unknown, the lar-iamed chief or the humble
private We only caro- to know that here q
hero lies, that a comraLe has fa'len camp
fire has gone out, aud the home OF a soldier
has been darkencd forever. 1t is well that
old and young, men, women and children are
here. This ceremonial is but the birth
Of woman's tenderness and devotion lit is her
mission 70 20 through life scattering flowers,
aud by her cheering words decorating even the
path Of adversely. As be stood amid these
graves, listening 20 the strains Of mouruful
music. memory went back to the days of war,
phantom hosts, heroes from the spirit laud,
gathered about him and whispered words OF
encouragement aud cheer.
Let none misunderstood the object Of this
gathering. We have not come 10 plan def
auce or llauut it into the faces Of those whose O.
piuous are different; we are not here 10 counsel
resistance to established law; We are not come
for the purpose Of fUmeuting strife, or dwell
ing on these melancholy memories; nor Of
disturbing our pr sent peaceful relations
These are not our purposes; but we have
come 10 speak the truth for men who may no
longer speak for themselves; for man that
is not true 70 the dead must, Of necessity. he
false 10 the living. We will not dwell 10 du
plicity aud falsehood, but are here TO proclaim
that these men sleep under the shadow Of no
crime. Beroh OF power Of their own, The
South still proclaims the sPotlcSs and stainless
honor Of her sons, the matchlc:s heroism Of
the dead. l, Is not for me 20 dwell upon
those scenes that were enacted during the first
ten years after the wnr-the persecution that
was employed for the subiugation and humii
alton Of his people. The darh night has
ended and We have come 20 better things =
there Is no right Of citizenship TO which we
are entitled that the great God 10 His mercy has
not atlast, after painful suffering, restored 10 rs
We simply Insist that Ne shall be free 10 gather
around these mounds aud pay that respect 10
our companions which they SO richly merit GO
Il is 10, needed that | should dwell upon
those great leaders that the South
and Virginia furnished to that sigan-
tic struggle; or refer 10 him within
the limits Of whose State, lis section, his
country or the world his name needs only 10
De brcathed with batel breath TO arouse
sentiment Of universal admiration-Loe, the
great frontispiece. | need not dwell upon
the transccudeut genius Of him who stands
even close! to you-JacksOn, that thunderbolt
Of War His fame shall stand co-eXistent
with civilization | need not dwell upon the
Johustons-thoSe two great masters Of the
art Of war, nor meution any more Of that
limitess throng. This is not the mission up
ON which come. II asked 10 state the OBJ
ject ia view in bringing US together, might
answer in n single sentence: Ia every
age Of history among free people-whcther
Pagan or Christian-hc who has died 10 test
the sincerity Of his convictions shal! be en-
titled 90 Immortality.
The cause in which these men died is lost
truly may we say il was an li-stlrred cause.
The civilization Of the world was arr5ycd
agaiustit After four long years Of carnage and
blood. the favor Of Omnipotent power itseifap-
pearcd withdrawn But the principles upon
which the cause rested are not destroyed
Scicucc has demonstrated that not an atom Of
matter was ever lost-thc universe to-day
stands Just as II did, Weighing not one grain
more nor less than it did when it was created.
IL is impossible that the force Of animal
strength should demonstrate the power or the
truth Of this assertion The results Of the
late war have proved that il was not in the
power Of the South to sever her relations with
the Federal government 1t does not become
her % dwell upon the right or Justice Of that
cause. have no respect for that man who,
standing In such presence, will content him
self with claiming that the principle Of that
people was Just. ! here assert that the cause 10
which they died was the cause Of human pro-
gress-it was our cause rs wei! rs theirs it
was q manly effort 10 promote the happiness,
secure the welfare. and advance the interests
Of their fellow-mcn. These green mounds on
which we look constitute your dearest treas
urcs. In each hero lies-as vslorols, as no.
Die. as true as ever existed 90 this earth Their
race is run their career IS iaishod-they will
never be forgotten.
At the conclusion Of Gen Blackburn's address
Col. Johnston was called upon, and he briefly
responded, saying that happening to be iu the
,i.,. If " ,shi1,tnn ON visit n his friend and