The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1888-07-30

that man may do for man; 10 tell his vir-
tues, TO lay with tenderness and tears his
ashes in the sacred place OF rest and peace
Some one has said that IN the cold hands
OF the dead we find only what they gave
away. Let us believe that kind thoughts,
brave words and generous deeds can never
die. Let us believe that they bear fruit
and add forever to the well being OF the
human race. Let us believe noble, self
denying life increases tho moral wealth OF
man and gives assurance that the future
will be grandcr than tho past. In tho
multitude Of the subseryient what is more
important than the spectacle Of an indie
pendent man, who gives and demands
reasons, who demands freedom and gives
the freedom he demands, who refuses to
be slave or MASTER who preserves the III
tcllectual side OF life from brute force.
Such u man was Courtlandt Palmer, to
whom we pay respect and tribute. lie was
an honest man. lie gave the rights that
which lac built. To think for himself, TO
give his thoughts 20 others, was privilege
and right duty and JOY to him. He
believed in the seli-preservation OF man
hood. lie protected the children OF the
brain from tho llerod OF authority. He
believed that next 10 finding truth is an
honest search for truth. He investigated
for himself, majoritcs were nothing to
him; no error could be old enough or
plausible enough TO bride his judgment.
lilo was a believer in intellectual hospi.
tality. lie insisted that those who spoke
should hear; that those who questioned
should answer that each should strive,
not for victory over others, but for the
discovery OF truth; and that truth, when
found, should be welcomed by every hui
man soul. lie knew that truth has no
fear OF not being understood that 1t loves
the day. lie knew that It's enemies are
bigotry, fear and darkness that its friends
are freedom, bravery and light.
lie believed in the morality Of the use
full; in Auguste Comte he found his creed.
Tho clouds had fallen from his life. Out
of the old faiths came the growth OF man
hood. Ont OF the depths the human race
struggled 10 the eyer-growing light, and ho
felt that tho living arc indebted to the
great dead, and that each should pay his
debt, add 10 the knowledge OF the world,
give better than he received aud the torch
Of truth for the lighting Of the world.
This was a religion without mystery, lying
IN tho region Of the known, understood by
tho head and approved by the heart. II
was q religion 10 develop the civilization
OF the human race by enlightenment and
education; by teaching each 10 bo noble
enough 10 live for ALL This Is tho gospel
OF man, the gospel Of this world; this is the
religion Of humanity.
lilo denied the supernatural, the phan-
tnfna anI f,lnala That l1i.I Nhn INptlts.l.l
land Of fear. There was but one religion
for him, a religion Of pure thoughts, noble
words, sclidcnying decds-thc religion Of
hope and help. History was his prophet,
reason his guide, duty his deity, happiness
his end, intelligence the means. lie knew
that man must be- the providence Of man.
lie lived and laborcd for his inllow.men;
he welcomed light. According 10 his light
he lived. The world was his country, To
do good hisrcligion. There is no language
Ia express n noblcr creed than this, moth
ing grandcr. moro comprehensive nearer
perfect. lie was afraid 10 do wrong, and
for that reason bc was not afraid 10 die.
lilo knew the end was near. hc know hls
work was done, he stood within the
deepening twilight, knowing that for
the last time for him.thc world was fading
from the west and that there could
not fall within his eyes the trembling lus.
Ter Of another dawn. lie know night WIS
coming, but in that night the memory Of
generous deeds shown like stars. Kind
words can pay a tribute 10 the man Who
lived his Ideal, who was turned aside
neither 10y envy, nor hatred, nor con
tumcly, nor Islander, nor scorn, nor fear.
What words will do with love aud Justice
Farewell. dear friend tho world Il bet.
ter for thy life. The world Is Drawer for
thy death. Farewell. We loved you liy.
ing and We love you now.