Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1888-09-20
A TRIBUTE TO SHERIDAN.
General Russell Alger's Eloquent Al
drxsa

General Russell Alger's Eloquent Ad-
| dress
CHICAGO, September 19--The nine
tsenth annual reunion of the Society of
the Army of the Cumberland was opened
here to-day, with about one hundred and
fifty members present. The address of
welcome was delivered by Major A. F.
Stevenson, of Chicago. Gen. Rosecrans
was made Chairman. Col. Stone, Chair
man of the Memorial Committee, then
submitted the names of the members who
died during the year. At Central Music
Hall, this evening, Gen. Russell Algsr, Of
Michigan, delivered an eulogy on the late
Gen. Philip H. Sheridan.
Gen. Ager said:
GENTLEMEN OF THE ARMY. OF THE
CUMBERLAND: / beg to acknowledge
with many thanks, this honor conferred
by you upon me. / accepted the task for
the love bore to our dear departed Com
mander, the President of your Society, and
without sufficient thought of the magni-
tude Of the work-if done as it ought to be
when should have declined. Standing
now in the full light of Sheridan's glory
what could say Of him that has not been
better said from pulpit and platform all
over this land, since his great soul
broke its mortal bonds in its qniet resting
place by the sea and took its fight to the
realm of Him who gave it. Philip Sher-
idan WAS born March 6, 1881, in the midst
of poverty. His early life was a continual
battle, but ss the strongest metals with
the finrst fibre are made so by fire and
hammer, 80 the character of Sheridan was
strengthened by advarsity. We find him
in 1S48 cadet at West Point
General Alger then gave an interesting
sketch of Sheridan's life and military ca
reer, concluding:
He was always genial and easily ap-
preached except in battle, when his whole
nature seemed to change, and woe TO the
man who crossed him while the fight was
on. Speaking of this fact not year since,
when told he was always ugly in battle,
he replied, 81 guess that was 20, it was the
way l always felt" have given you
VI TUG utuctdl tildt yOu
may see how he appeared when he started
on his famous career. Thanks to the
genius of our institutions we have no
hereditary titles and high birth adds in
the race Of life neither advantage nor the
converse. Upon the acts of the individual
rest his success or failure True, sur
roundings and opportunity aid in paving
the way, but nc substantial success fol-
lows accidents.
He died as hero dies-facing the dread
destroyer without murmur, and as his
form was borne away to its last resting
place, at Arlington, loyal people gather
cd around his grave and bathed the new
made mound that covers his life!ess form
with their tears.
Great soul, loving father, devoted bus-
band, loyal friend! Your life's your affec-
tion for your country; your record as SOL
dier and man are the heritage of CRATE
ful nation. A country broker, you helped
to build; divided sentiment, you helped
to make one. o. the bow of promise
which shadows this great land, and in
sures us that peace, unity and concord"
shall remain forever, are inscribed the
names of the men who placed 1t there, and
at its apex Shines in letters as bright as
the day, that shall never fade, the immor-
tai name Sheridan.