Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1879-06-11
EbOn C. IngersOll.

WASHINGTON, D. c., June 2.--The
body of the late Ebon G. Ingersoll was
inferred here to-day in the beautiful
Oak Hill Cemetery. in the presence of
very large concourse Of friends and
public men, and jn the midst of a Sc
we're thunderstorm The peculiar re-
latlons with which the deceased and
his distinguished brother held towards
all systems of revealed religion, the
fact that no clergyman was permitted
to oficiate, and the services were con-
Quoted by Mr.. Robert G. Ingersoll will
not fail to attract national attention to
the sad funeral, and to the services
connected with it. 1t is for these rea-
sons alone that the press fits the veil
of mourning from the stricken house
h6ld.
Mr.. Robert G.. Ingersoll, as has
been his custom hitherto when death
has occurred in his own immediate fam
lily. performed the funeral ceremony.
To-day ne arose beside the casket to
do for his dead brother that which
many years ago be did tor his own
child, and which his brother had pro-
missed to do for him. Grief had near
ly overcame the strong-willed. self-re-
liant heaven daring orator, and as ne
stood beside that coffin to perform the
last services which it is impossible for
friend or brother to perform. his voice
was so choked with emotion that it
was almost impossible to hear. Col.
Ingersoll spoke as follows:
II am going to do that which the
dead promised he would do for me.
The loveu and loving brother, hus-
band. father friend, died where man
hoods morning almost touches noon,
and while the shawdows still were
falling towards the West. He had
not passed on life's highway the stone
that marks the highest point, but be-
ing weary for moment he laid down
by the ways'de, and, using his burden
for pillow, fell into that dreamless
sleep that kisses down bis eyelids still.
While yet in love with life, and rap
tured with the world, he passed to ST.
lence and pathetic dust. Yet. after
all it may best, just in the happiness,
sunnlest hour of all the voyage, while
eager winds are kissing every sail. to
d,sh against the unseen rock, and in
an instant hear, the billows roar above
4 sunken ship. For, whether in mid
sea or among the breakers of the tarth-
er shore wreck must mark at last the
end of each and all, and every life, no
matter if its every hour is rich with
love and every moment jeweled with
joy, will at its close become tragedy
as cad asI~0p, as uarK as can he wnrn
of the warp and woof of mystery aud
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 he
roic souls. He elm ID the nights and
left all superstitions far below, while
on his forehead fell the golden dawn
ing Of grander day. He loved the
beautiful and was with color, form,
and music touched to tears. He sided
with the weak, and with a willing
hand gave with loyal heart, and with
the purest hands he faithfully discharg-
ed all public trusts. He was a wor.
shipper of liberty, friend of the op-
pressed. A thousand times [ have
heard lin quote these words: "For
justice all place temple and all sea-
son summer" He believed that hap,
piness was the only good, reason the
only torch, justice the only worship,
humanity the only religion. and love
the only priest. He added to the sum
of human JOY, and were every one for
whom he did some loving service to
bring a blossom to his grave he would
sleep tonight beneath wilderness of
flowers. Life is narrow veil between
the cold and barren peaks Of two eter-
mites. We strive in vain to look be-
yond the heights. We cry aloud, and
the only answer is the echo of our
waillng cry. From the volceless lips
of the of the unreplying dead there
comes no word, bur in the night of
death hope sees star and listening
ear can hear the rustic of wing.
He who sleeps here when dying, mis-
taking the approach of death for the
return Of health, whispered. with his
late breath, II am better now." Let
US believe, in spite of doubts end dog
mas, and tears and fears, that these
dear words are true Of all the count
less dead"
"And now to you who have been
chosen from among the many men he
loved to do the last sad Office for the
dead, we give his sacred dust. Speech
cannot contain our love. There was,
there is, no gentler, stronger, manlier
man
| The nall hearers were Senators