The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1879-06-12
Col. Ingersoll at His Brothers Funeral.

Bob Ingersoll, says the Charlotte Ob-
scrrer, is undoubtedly very bad lot, and
those who follow his system of theology
will 60 the way of Wards due =, or in
other words the way i'm which Johnston
County went on election day in 1876 ;
hut for all that he is called "the eloquent
infdel," and there is more poetry and
music in him than in one out Of n thou
sand men, even Of those Who are going to
heaven. His funeral discourse over his
brother. whose system of theology was
like his own, is highly suggestive of
Dickens chronicle of the death of Little
Nell. Indeed there is hardly line Of it
that would not have done credit even to
Dickens. The following is the funeral
oration:
DEAR FRIESDs: am going to do that
which the dead oft promised he would
do for me.
The loved and loving brother, hus-
band, father, friend, died where man
hoods morning almost touches noon, and
while the shadows were still falling to-
ward the west.
He had not passed on lifc's highway
the stone that marks the highest point
but being weary for the moment, he laid
down by the wayaidc, and using his bur
den for a pillow, fell into that drcamcss
sleep that kisses down his cvelids still.
While yet in love with life and rap.
tured with the world, he passed to silence
and pathetic dust.
Yet, after all, it may be best, Just in
the happiest, sunnicst hour of all the
voyage, while eager winds are kissing
every sail, to dash against the unseen
rocs, and in an instant hear the pillows
roar above Il sunken ship. For whether
in mid sea or 'nong the breakers of the
farther shore, Il wreck ut last must mark
the end OF each. and all.
And every life, no matter if its every
hour is rich with love, and every moment
jewelcd with JOY, will Mt its close, be.
come tragedy as sad aud deep and dark
as can bc woven Of the warp and woof of
mystery and death. This brave and ten
der man in every storm Of life WAS oak
and rock, but in the sunshine he was vine
aud flower.
He was the friend Of NIL heroic souls.
He climbed the heights, and left all SUI.
perstition far below, while on his fore.
head fell the golden dawning of the gran.
der day.
He loved the beautiful, and was with
color, form and music touched To tears.
He sided with tho weak, and with will
ing hand gave aims. With loyal heart
aud with the purest hands he faithfully
discharged all public trusts.
He was II wnrshipper Of liberty, a
friend of the oppressed. A thousand
times | have heard him quote these words:
For justice MI place temple and all
season summer" He believed that hap.
piness was the only good, reason the only
torch, justice the only worship, human
ity the only religion and love the only
priest.
He added to the sum of human 10y :;
| nn0 were everv one to whom he did
loving service to bring blossom to his
grave he would sleep tonight beneath a
wilderness of flowers
Life in narrow vale between the
cold and barren peaks of two eternities.
We strive in vain to look beyond the
heights. We cry aloud, and tho only
answer is the echo Of our wailing cry.
From the v0iceless lips of the unreply.
ing dead there comes no word but in the
night of death hope sees star, and listen
ing love can hear the rustic of wing.
He who sleeps here, when dying, mis-
taking the approach Of death for the re-
turn Of health. whispered with his last
breath: II am better now"
Let us believe In spite of doubts and
dogmas, of foars and tears, that these
dear words nre true Of NIL the countless
dead.
And now, to you, who have been chos-
en- 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, man.
ler man.