The Osceola times., 1888-08-18

| bherfdan mas Do6n Cn1rKeu WIN ucihb so"S
times Unnecessarily severe toward the enemy:
Ny conversations with him strongly impressed
me with the groundiessness OF charge wnicn
could In nowise be reconciled with the abeor-
renee which he expressed for the atroctties OF
war; with his natural aversion 10 pioodsbeo
and with the hope he uttered that ne wouia
never again be Obliged 10 draw his sword
against an enemy, am persuaded that the sem
timents OF humanity ever found gepisl nome,
q secure lodgment In the breast OF General
Sheridan. Those who arc best acquainted
with his military career unite In saying that no
never needlessly sacrificed human iife, and that
be loved and cared for his soldiers as father
loves and cares for his children
But we must not forget that II the departed
hero was soldier, he was, too. Q citizen; ana
n we wish 70 know how q man stands - citi-
rem We must ask ourselves how he stands ~
son, husband and father. The parent Is the
source Of the family the family is the source OF
the Nation. Social life is the roncx OF the fam
iiy life Tho stream does not rise shove It's
source. Those who wsrc admitted into tho inner
circle OF General Sheridans home need not be
told that It WAS peaceful and happy one. He
was fond husband and an anectionate father,
lovingly devoted to his wife and children. ]
hope I am not trespassing upon the sacred pri'
vacy OF domestic life when state that the
Generals sickness was accelerated, not az
sravated, BY . fativuing journey which be made
in order TO be home In time TO assist At domes'
tic celebration, In which one OF his children
was the central figure.
Above all, General Sheridan was Christian.
He died fortified BY the consolstions OF religion,
having his trust In the saving merciss OF our
Redeemer and IN humble hope in o. blessed
immortality. What 10 life without the hope Of
immortality! What Is life that 10 bounded BY
the horizon OF the tombs Surely II 10 not worth
living. What Was the life even Of the antedi.
iuvian patriarch, but like the mist which 10
dispeled by the morning7sun. What would u
profit this illustrious hero 10 60 down 10 his
honored grave covered with earthly glory, II he
had no hope in the eternal glory 70 comet II 10
the hope OF eternal Lire that constitutes at once
our dignity and our moral responsibility
God has planted in the human breast On ire
sistible desire for Immortality. tits born with
os, and lives and moves with u.s. II inspires
tur best and ho!ies. actions. Row, God would
not have given us this desire II He did not in.
tend that II should be fully satisfied He would
not have given ~ this thirst for Infinite hap
hiness N He hsd not intended TO aasuage It.
lie never created any thing In vain. Thanks TO
God, this universal yearning OF the human
heart is sanctioned and vindicated by the voice
OF revelation. The inspird word of God not
only proclaims the Immortality OF the soul. but
also the future resurrection OF the body: II
know" says the prophet Job, that my Re.
deemer liveth, and that on the last day
I shall rise out Of the earth and In my nesh
shall see my God" wonder Dot at this,"
says our Savior, "for the hour comcth when all
that are in their graves shall hear the voice OF
the Son of Man, and they who have done we'll
shall come forth 10 the resurrection OF life, and
they who have done Ill to the resurrection Of
Judgment" And the Apostle writes
these comforting words to the Thessalonians:
II would not have you ignorant, brethren, con.
cerning those that are asleep, that ye be not
sorrowful like those who have no hope; for II
We believe that Jesus died and rose again, even
SO those who have died in Jesus, God win raise
unto Himself Therefore comfort yourselves
with these words"
These are the words Of comfort would ad.
dress TO you. Madam, faithful consort OF the
illustrious dead This II the olive brunch Of
peace and hope would bring you to-day. This
Is the silver lining OF the cloud which hangs
over you. We followed you In spirit and with
svmpathizing hearts as you knelt In prayer at
the bed Of your dying husband. May the God
| OF all consolation comfort you In this hour OF
sorrow. May the soul OF your husband this
day be In peace and his abode In Zion; may his
memory be ever enshrined in the hearts Of his
countrymen. and may our beloved country.
which he has loved and served SO well, ever be
among the foremost nations OF the earth, the
| favored land OF constitutional freedom. strong
in tie legality of its patriotic citizens and in the
genius and valor Of its soldiers till time shall
be no moro.
Comrades and companions OF the fllustrious
dead, take hence your great leader; bear him
10 his last resting place; carry him gently, Low.
ingly, and though you may not hope to attain
| his exalted rank, you will strive at least 10
| emulate him by the Integrity OF your private
| life, by your devotion 70 your country and by
upholding the honor Of yous military profes.
| sion.
President Cleveland and all the mem
bsrs of the Cabinet except Attorney.
| General Garland. who is in Arkansas, at
| tended the services both at the church
and grave at Arlington. The Department
Of Justice was represented by Judge
jerks, the acting Attorney General
Mrs. Cleveland accompanied the Presi-
dent She was dressed plainly in close.
fitting dress OF black silk. with hat and
gloves to match. The President and Mrs.
Cleveland occupied seats in front Of and
| q little to the right Of the catafalque, and
In q corresponding position on the oppo-
site side was Mrs. Sheridan, In deepest
mourning. On her right was Colonel
Mike Sheridan, who famed the almost
heart broken widow incessantly, and on
her left was Mr.. John Sheridan, both
brothers OF the deceased General Gen.
eral and Mrs. Rucker, and their daughter,
all in deep mourning, sat near Mrs. Sher-
idan.
OF the pall.bearers, General VIM. T.
Sherman was the central figure. He wore
his uniform, and so did the venerable
General Augur, one Of the pail bearers
and also on the retired list General
Sherman throughout the ceremonies
seemed to be deeply impressed. When
Cardinal Gibbons reviewed some Of the
military exploits and great achievements
of General Sheridan, the grim old warrior
who survives, and who but . few years
ago stepped aside, making room for Cen
sral Sheridan as the head OF the army.
listened .intently, his eyes being rivetsd
on the Cardinal. What memories must
hav. teen revived In the mind Of General
Sherman! Over on tho other side Of the
church, as members OF the Congressional
committees, were men who had fought
upon opposing sides. There sat the
famous little General Jos Wheeler,
OF Alabama, q distinguished com.
mander OF Confederate cavalry. Time
aud again his splendid troops clashed
with those dashing cavaliers led by tho
man who was lying stiff and cold In the
casket before the sorrowful assemblass.
General Wheeler Is . wiry, nervous look
ing little man, who does not weigh much
above one hundred pounds. With the
Senators Just in front Of him was Gen.
eral Wade Hampton. noted Confederate
commander Of cavalry, and in the same
pew with General Wheeler was General
Hooker, Of Mississippi 1t was the latter
who, . few days ago, In tho House Of
Representatives, spoke so foe lin civ upon