Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1883-06-05

Armed with Sc respiration from on high,
patriotism had become IS endeariog as the
noblest virtue among men. Already Homer
had embalmed the memories of the warrior
IN poetry and song and gave them SIS pre-
cious legacy for all time. Bot unlike the
victors Of Greece and Rene, OF England and
France, who fought for eonques. and power,
our brave heroes made the fight in the inter-
est Of free government and for the preserya-
ton Of our national Union. And wnen the
student Of history sbail turn to that time
honorec volume, no psge in the annals OF
the past will inspire sentiments OF lofii-r sd
miTstiou than that which is inscribed to the
soldier ID the last great struggle between the
American States. The Eorcs OF the imm0r-
tai Henry had not been forgotten. The
brave Spartacus had already led his
coDqueriug glsdIstors to undying fame.
But through the long centuries OF the pssi
the msricsn soldIer mad learned lessons of
the highest duty. He recognized the obIiga-
tions Of duty 10 his fellows, and though he
followed under the lead of some faithful
commander, vel he knew from the very evil
dence of nature, and from the manner Of his
education, that upon the God of heaven he
must rely for success and victory. The
deeds Of patriotism and the high devotion 10
the cause of humanity and justice afford an
imDerishable legacy to every American heart.
We venerate the worth OF our iilustrous
sons. Like ourselves, they once lived and
moved among men, but when their country
demanded ii they gave their lives that they
might preserve sud perpetuate present bless
ing5 10 their posterity, and though dead they
yet live. On either side they were true to
the cause they espoused. They live
in the influence which their brave
efforts wrought; they live in the
: l.. = ~ \.
and they live forever. We claim them as
our common property, our noblcst and best
jewels. We honor their memories aud deco
rate their graves. Pardon me, my friends, if
l should gently remind you of matter too
we'll known to you. Moved by some faint
hope and by an unslterabe love for liberty,
there was one, not frequently Dan.ed - his-
tory, who, in every struggle OF the country,
rendered signal service 10 the cause of your
government. 1t was the colored man. How
much and how well he did let past events
answer for him.
Prof.. Sampson then read the following
ode, the tsst three stanzss Of which are OF
his own compositions:
IN MEMORY OF OUR FEDERAL DEAD.
By DR.. ". H. StiItUell P. NJ. Humboldt Tenn.
Forever, as the annual sun
Ilumes the sad funereal GRy,
In memory of the blessings won
By those whose consecrated clay
We deck with flowers, bedew with tears
From living hearts, and tender hands,
This tribute through all coming years,
Snail bloom all over freedOm's lands.
sweetly our guardian heroes rest,
Their day OF deadly duty done:
No more the bloody watch aud quest,
With sieepless eyes nom sun to sun;
No more, from home-inspired dreams,
Reused by the lannon's knocking roar,
When the red cloud of carnage CLEANS
Along grim battles rugged shore.
No more they charge the brstling hight,
Mid crash OF shot and shrek of shell,
Mid the 1erce rapture of the fight
The victors shout as toeman fell;
No more the deathly wound is given,
Or heard t1e cry OF mortal pain
With faces toward the blackened heaven
They fell asleep DER battles plain.
Calm as tired infant lies
Graded upon its mothers breast,
Each lowly head the plying skies
Bend gently over where they rest.
No sounds disturb their dTesmless sleep,
And tho their hero hearts arestill,
Watch over freedorns flag they keep
Until the archangePs last reveilleI
While loyalty each deathless name
On history's hottest page we keep,
Beneath the vaulted dome of fame
| The nations brave defenders sleep.
Forever hallowed be their sod,
| Wnlle patriot pilgrims year by year
Next to the temples of our God,
Return to weep and worship here.
TO which the following was added b.
Prot. Sampson:
| Rest, spirit of the fallen dead,
HOnOred. revered in proudest fame
Rest in your graves made halloWed,
Bright jewels of our country's name.
Rest sweetly, braves among the braVesi
While here we meet to consecrate
This sacred spot Of mounds and graves
To man and Goa their nobler fate.
! All sons of the beloved ones gone
Fond Memory shall long linger here;
Our hopes, our lives unite in one
To bless q nations guardians fair.
To-day, to-day we decorate
o, let this decoration be
The insignia OF peoples fate.
| That leads TO nObler destiny.
Thea, at the last loud Trumpet call,
| We meet at the reckoning day,
| Our noble sons, both great and small,
| Shall Use and stand in bright array,
| Crowned with the honors of earth and heaven
Crowned as heroes who gave life
| That our county, batle-driven
| Might lire, sttrUiUe amid the strife.
| The following prog auss.,e- then car
| ried out: Selections from the Huguenot
Meyerbeer, by band Chorus, "The Soldier
| Night SONG" by Casino and Menuerc 90
Clubs. 'Sleep On, Thou Heroes" by Liszr
Willard Club. Prayer by the Rev s. A
lines. Doxology by the audieace. Benedic
ton by the Rev. Page Tyler, and nstiona
airs by the band.
The affair was admirably manage,
throughout.