Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1879-06-25
q Gem Of Cratory,

The following Grafton Of Col. Rob
ert O. lngersol, at the funeral of his
brother Who recently died in Wash
ingtou, las few rivals, among the
mountains Of English literature of
ancient or modern times, as an
o%raIorica gem:
Ny FRlESDs:-I am going to do that which
the deceased often promised 'he would do for
me. The loved and LOVING brother, husband,
father and friend died where manhood's morn
ing almost touches noon and while shadows
were still falling towards The west. He had
not passed Un Lilies highway the stone that
marks The Iighest point, but, being weary for
a moment he 100 cd down by the waysidc,
aud using lLs burden for II pillow, fell into that
GREATNESS sleep that kisses down his eyelids
still, While yet in love with Life aud laptured
v it'll the world, lac passed to silence an pathUt-
ic dust. Yet, after al, IL may be best. just
in Tie happest, s%unniest hour OF all The yoy-
age, while eager winds are kissing every sail,
To dash against the unseen rock and in an in
slant bear the pillows roar, a sunkeh sLip-iof,
whether in midsea or among the breakers OF
the farther shore a wreck must mark at last
the end Of each and all, and every life, no mat
ter If IL Is every hour as rich with love and
every moment jewellcd with a joy, will al its
close become a tragedy as sad and deep ard
dark az can be woven OF the wrap and wool OF
mystery ana death.
TINS BRAVE and tender man, in every storm
of life, was oak and rock out in the sunshine
he was vine aud flower. He was the friend OF
all heroic sous he ci.ined the heights, and
iefL all superstitiuns far below, While on his
forehead Tell The golden duWnlng ut a grander
day. lie loved the beautiful, and was, with
cUlor, form AID music, touched to tears. lie
sided with the weak, and with a Wiling hand,
gave alms with n loyal heart, and, with the
purest hand, he faithfully discharged all pnOllc
trusts. He was a worshippei OF liberty, a
friend of the oppressed. a thousand times
| have heard him quote the words, For JUS
tice all places Il temptation and all seasons
summer" He believes That happiness vas
he only good reason the . iy torch justice
the only worsliipper humanity the oH.y re
lision, ard love the only priest. He added to
the sum OF humanity JOY, and were every one
fi whcla he did soine loving sesylcc 10 bring
"a bloSscH 10. his grave, he would sleep to-
night bcheath n wilderness of flowers. Lie Is
a narrow vale bctSeen the cold and barren
peaks of [ etcrn ties. We strive in vain u
look beyond the heights. We cry aloud and
the only answer j, the echo of our waiting cry
from the yoicele,s lips OF the unreplying dead.
There ONE no wo,k but in the night of
death hope sees q STAR, and listening, love can
hear the rustic Of a wing. He who sleeps here,
when dying, MISLEADING the approach OF de0th
for the return OF health, whispered with his
latest breath, 81 am better nOw Let Us be-
lieve, IN spite Of The doubts and dogmae and
tears and 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 du,t. Speech cannot con
tain our love. There was, there is, no g%entler,
stronger, manlier man.