The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1879-06-18
WHOLE NO. 1853


Col. Robert G.. Ingersoll, at the
grave of his brother, Hon. Ebon c.
Ingersoll, buried on last Monday, de,
livered the following oraiion:
"My friends, | am going to do thsi
which the dead oft promised be
would do for me. The loved and
loving brother, husband, father friend
died where manhood's morning al
most touches noon, and while shad-
ows still were falling toward the
West. He had not passed on life's
highway the stone that marks the
highest poict, but, being weary for a
moment, he laid down by the way
side, and, using his burden for q pill
low, fell into tina: dreamless sleep
that kisses down bis eyelids still
while yet in love with life and
raptured with the world, he passed
to silence and pathetic dust Yet, af-
ter ali, it may be best just in the hap
piest, sunniest hour of all the voyage,
while eager winds are kissing every
sail, to dash against the unseen rock
and ia an instant hear the billows
roar Gs above sunken ship. For
whether in mid sea or among the
breakers of the further shore, wreck
must mark at last the end of each and
all aud every life, no matter if its
every hour is rich with love and
every moment jeweled with a Joy,
will at It's close become a tragedy 5
sad and deep and dark as can be wo-
ven of the warp and woof of mystery
and death.
This brave and tender man in
every storm of life was oak and rock,
but in the sunshine be was vine and
flower. He was the friend of all be-
roic souls. He climbed the heights
and left all superstitions far below,
while on bis forehead fell the golden
dawning ofa grander day. He loved
the beautiful, and was with color,
form and music touched to tears. He
sided with the weak, and with will
ing hand gave aims With loyal
heart and with the purest hands be
diligently and faithfully discharged
public trust.
"He was a worshiper of Liberty
q friend Of the oppressed. A thou
sand times l have heard him quote
the words: "For Justice, all places
are temple, and all seasons Sum-
mer."
He believed that bsppiaess was
the only good; reason the oaly torch;
justice the only worship; humanity
the only religion, and i've the only
priest. He added to the sum # hu-
man joy; and were e. = obe for
whom be did some lJg@. service to
bring blossom to his grave, be .gould
sleep tonight beneath E wilderDsss Of
flowers.
Life is g narrow vale l. tween the |
cold and barren peaks oi tEo eterni-
ties. We strive in vain to lock be-
yond the heights. We cry cloud,
aud the only answer is the echo of
our wailing cry. From the voiceless
lips of The unreplying dead there
comes no word, but ia the night II
death Hope sees star, and listen
ing Love eau hear the rustic of
wing
"He who sleeps here, when dying,
the approach Of death for
the return of health, whispered with
bis latest breath II am better now"
Let US believe, 10 spite of doubts and |
dogmas and tears and fears, that these
dear words are true Of all the count
less dead
"And now, to you who have been
chosen fs N among the many men he
Owed to do the last sad Office for the
lead, We give bis sacred dust.
Speech cannot contain our love.
There was, there is, no gentler,
stronger, manlier man"