The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1879-06-05
A Brothers. Tribute to the Memory Of the
Dead.

The funeral OF Hon. Ebon c. Ingersoll, brother
of Col. Robert g. Ingersoll, of Illinois, was held
at his residence in Washington, on June I'd. The
! ceremonies were extremely simple, consisting
| merely in the viewing of the remains by the rela
tives and friends.and general Grafton by Colonel
| Robert G.. Ingerse1l.
! The following is the Grafton OF Col. Ingersoll
which was received by all present with marks of
| deep and sincere feeling and sympathy
iIlfy Friends-Ia 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 LIES highway
the stone that marks the highest point, but be-
ing weary fora moment he laid down by the way
side and using his burden for plow,fel into that
dreamless sleep that kisses down his eyeids still
While yetin love with life and raptured with the
world, he passed to silence and pathetic dust.
4et after all, it 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 an instant hear the pillows
roar above a sunken ship. For whether in mid
sea or 'mong the breakers of the farther shore !,
a 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 ieweled with a joy,
will at its close become tragedy as sad and deep
and dark as can be woven of the warp and wool
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. He was the friend of all heroic
souls. He climbed the heights and left all super
stitions far below, while on his forehead fell the
golden dawning of grander day. He loved
the beautiful, and was with color, form
and music touched to tears. He sided with
wit wi nj
With loyal heart and with the purest hands
he faithfully discharged all public trusts. He
was worshipper Of liberty, a friend of the OPP
pressed. A thousand times / have heard him
quote the words" For Justice all places a temple
and all seasons summer" He believed that hap
piness was the only good, reason the only torch
Justice the only worship, humanity the only re-
ligion, and love the only priest. He added to the
sum of human Joy; and were everyone for whom
he did some loving service to bring blossom to
the grave, he would sleep tonight beneath will
derness of flowers.
Life is narrow vale between the cold and bar
rem peaks of the two eternities We strive in
vain to look beyond the heights. We cry
aloud, and the only answer is the echo of our
yailing 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 wing.
He who sleeps here, when dying, mistaking the
approach OF death for the return OF health, whis-
pered with his latest breath, 81 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 gave his
sacred dust. Speech cannot contain our love
There was, there is no gentler, stronger, manlier
man.