Mower County transcript. [volume] (Lansing, Minn.) 1868-1915, 1879-06-12
tngersoll's Eulogy at His Brothers
Funeral,

Illinois, took place at the residence of the
deceased, at Washington, D. c., June 2.
The ceremonies were extremely simple,
consisting of viewing the remains by
relatives and friends and funeral ora.
tion by Col. Robt. G.. 1ngersoll. A large
number of distinguished gentlemen were
present, including Secretary Sherman,
Assistant Secretary Hawley, Senator
Blaine, VOORHEES,, Paddock, Allison and
Logan, and Thomas Henderson, +. G.
Pound, VIM. M. Morrison, Gen. Jeffreys,
Gen. Williamson, Col. Jas. Fishback,
and others. The pall-bearers were
Senators Blaine, voorhees,, David Davis,
Paddock and Allison, Col. Ward Fl.
Lamon, jeremiah Wilson, of Indiana,
and Thos. A. Boyd, of Illinois.
The following is the oraticn of Col.
1ngetsoll, which was received by all
present with marks of deep and sincere
feeling and sympathy:
MY FRIENDs-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 g morning almost touches
noon, and while the shadows were still
falling towards the west. He had not
passed on life's highway the stone that
marks the hig hest point, but being weary
for moment he laid down by the way.
eide, and using his burden for pillow
fell into that dreanless 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, 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 billows
roar, q sunken ship; for whether in mid
sea or 'mong the breakers of the farther
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 a
10y, will, at its close, become 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.
He was the friend of heroic souls. He
climbed the heights and left all supersti-
tions far below, while on his forehead
fell the glorious dawning 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 aims. With
loyal heart and with the purest hand he
faithfully discharged all public trusts.
He was q worshipper of liberty, a friend
of the oppressed. A thousand times
have heard him quote the words, Fol-
Justice all place a temple, and all season
summer" He believed that happiness
was the only good, reason the only torch,
Justice the only worshipper, humanity
the only religion and love the priest
He added to the sum of human joy; and
were everyone for whom he did some
loving service to bring blossom to hit
grave, he would sleep tonight beneath
q wilderness of flowers.
Life is narrow vale between the cold
and barren peaks of two eternities. W.
strive in vain to look beyond the heights
We cry aloud, and the only answer il
the echo of our wailing cry. From thu
the voiceless lips of the unreplying dead
there comes NO word; but in the night o1
death hope sees star, and listening lovt
can hear tho rustic of a wing. Ho VII.
sleeps here, when dying, mistaking th<
approach Of death for the return o.
health, whispered with his latest breath
"I am better now" Let us believe, il
spite of doubts and dogmas, and tear
and fears, that these words are true o.
all the countless dead.
And now, to you who have been choser
from among the many men he loved, t
do the last Office for the dead, we Civ
his sacred dust. Speech cannot contain
our love. There was, there is, no gent
Ter, stronger, manlier man."
There were no cermonies whatever q
the grave, but a pathetic scene occurred
when the Misses Lswler, daughter of tn
late Gen. Lawler, and adopted childrel
of Ebon g. Ingersoll, to whom they wer'
devotedly attachad, took their last leav'
of their dead foster father. One of then
tainted in being taken to her carriage
and the other fingered at the grav'
until almost forcibly led away by he
friends. ~. ..-