The Dawson journal., 1885-04-30

vancement of science. With q
few like exceptions but little in
the field of literature. But repres-
sion in thees directions and under
the influence of sentiments spring.
ing out of our environments, aid
ing the bent of our nationality,
we are distinguished in the de-
velopment of that subtle yet real
thing we call character. That
combination of integrity of pur-
pose, sense of honor, poise of
mind, decision of will, mildness of
disposition, regard for right, re-
spect for the infinite-which we
collocate in the term character,
was in a high degree the posses
sion of our Old South.
| mention the names of a few of
these illustrations dead, whose
graves are this day decorated by
loving hands as embodiments of
this thought. It is remarkable
how the word duty, which one of
them called the sublimest word in
the English language, figured in
their lives and their choice of
sides in the late conflict. Lee,
Jackson, johnson and Stoart liv-
ed for high ends, discharged life's
obligations with fidelity, died in
unsullied faithfulness to their con-
eeptions of right.
/ mention these names not as
exceptional cases of greatness, but
as the product of the race flom
which they sprung. They are Sc
lected as types of the prevailing
tendencies of our Southern stand
ards. They are not contrasts, but
representatives of the people be-
fore whom they stood in honored
leadership. They are plucked as
full bloom roses from the bush
which is filled with numerous
buds of the same kind and quail
ty, and exhibited as perfect speci-
mems of the general tendency.
The duty that made Lee draw his
sword in defence of what his coun-
try thought right, drew around
him noble army ready to sacri-
fee life for conscience's sake. The
same qualities that called for such
loving concern as to cry ON the
field of battle "Lee to the rear"
met qualities of a kindred spirit
in the willingness to die for an ad-
mired leader. Inspiration commu-
nieated implies the power to re-
eeive inspiration. These generals
were only half of the noble armies
they COMMUNICATIVE other half
in its place and its degree was
equally great.
These names as types of great
ness must ever command admira-
tion by whatever standard they
may be tried.
One day 1 picked up history
of the late war containing the pic
lures of the leaders on both sides.
l turned down the leaves so as to
contrast the faces of Lee with the
commander of the Federal army;
and jackson with the next in rank
among the Federals. There was
intellect, will power, executive
force in the faces of the victors;
but there was in O most marked
manner these and more-purity
of heart, loftiness Of purpose, rich
ness of soul-in our own captains.
l have tried to compare them
with others of the worlds great
generals. l have endeavored to di-
vest myself of that peculiar glow
of feeling which moves one OF
those of his own age, and country,
and cause. I have thrown them
off from me and looked at them on
plane with Alexander, Caesar, Au-
gustus, Frederick the Great, Bona.
parte, Wellington, through the tele.
scop 9 of cold historic criticism
These other men achieved more
than ours, they will fill a larger page
of the worlds written history, they
will have historic periods named
for them, but l cannot resist the
convictions that in moral worth, in
loftiness of soul, in true greatness
ours will excel the worlds grand
est victors.
The Geologist tells us that bur.
led in the deep stratas of earth
formed long eras before there was
an intelligent animal eye to ad
mire theee are found shells of per
feet formation, exquisitely CORFU
gated, delicately lined, and beauti
fully colored, so these men whose
, careers are buried beneath the
crumblingruins Of a fallen empire
possess the lines of the sublimest
: greatness and the forms of thu
3 most beautiful nobility.
/ tbs we'll. A Grecian sculptor
: was molding a stature of grea
3 hero. It was to sit against the
wall for all time. Yet the sculp.
. ter spent as much time and Labor
on the back of the stature as Oh
4 the face. A friend demonstrated
Q at the seeming waste of labor. Sale
the sculptor: Man alone may SEE
the face, but the gods will lool
: upon the back. To-day while NOR
} tails fatter and weep by the bed
r side ofhim of visible success, tht
: immortals gather with honest ad