The Hillsdale standard. [volume] (Hillsdale, Mich.) 1851-1909, 1879-06-10
HON. EBON c. INGERsOLL.
The Funeral Ceremonies.

WASHINGTON, June 2.-The funeral
OF the Hon. Ebon @. Ingersoll, brother
Of Colonel Robert @. Ingersoll, OF IL
linois, took place at his residence this
afternoon. The ceremonies were ex-
tremely simple, consisting merely OF
viewing the remains by relatives and
friends, and a funeral grafton by Col.
Robert q. Ingersoll, brother Of the de-
ceased. A large number OF distin-
guished gentlemen were present, in
cluding Secretary Sherman. Assistant
Secretary Hawley, and Senator Blaine.
The following is the oration of Colonel
Ingersoll, which was received by all
present with marks OF deep and sim
cere feeling and sympathy:
My FRIESDs:-I am going to do that
which the dead oft promised he would
do for me. The loved and loving
brother. husband, father, friend, died
where manhood's morning almost
touches noon, and while the shadows
still were falling toward the West. He
had not passed on life's highway the
stone that marks the highest point, but,
being weary for a moment, he LAID
down by the wayside, and, using his
burden for pillow, fell into that
dreamless sleep that kisses down his
eyelids still. While yet in love with
life and raptured with the world he
passed TO silence and pathetic DUST
Yet, after all, il may be best, just in
the happiest, sunniest hour OF all the
voyage, while eager winds are kissing
every sail, TO dash against the unseen
rock, and, in and in an instant, hear
the billows roar-a sunken ship. For
whether in midsea or among the break
ers of the further shore, a wreck must
mark at last the end Of each and ALL
And every life, no matter il its every
hour is rich with love and every mo-
ment ieweled with a Joy, will, at its
close, become a tragedy, as sad and
deep and dark as can be woven 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 he was vine and flower
lie was the friend Of all heroic souls.
He climbed the heights and left all
superstitions far below, while on his
forehead fell the golden dawning OF
grander day. He loved the beau
tiful, and was with color, form and
music touched to tears. He sided
with the weak, and with willing
hand gave aims with loyal heart, and
with the purest hand he faithfully dis
charged all public trusts. He was a
worshiper of liberty, friend of the
oppressed. A thousand times have L
heard him quote the words, "For JUS
tice all place temple and all season
summer"
He believed that happiness was the
only good, reason the only torch, JUS
! tice the only worshiper, humanity the
only religion, and love the priest. He
added to the sun Of human JOY, and
we're everyone for whom he did some
loving service TO bring blossom to his
/ grave he would sleep tonight beneath
a wilderness Of flowers. Life is mar
row vale between the cold and barren
peaks of two eteruities. We strive in
vain to look beyond the heights. We cry
aloud, and the only answer is the echo
of our wailing cry. From the voiceless
lips'of the unreplying dead there comes
no word: but in the night of death hope
sees star and listening love can hear
the rustic of a wing. He who sleeps
here when dying, mistaking the ap-
proach Of death for return OF health,
whispered with his latest breath: II
am better now" Let us believe, in
spite OF doubts and dogmas and tears
and fears, that these dear words are
true OF all the countless 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 gentlier. stronger, manlier man.