The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1888-08-12

vanquished in bondage. Scarcely was he
cold in death when his vassas shook Off
the yoke, and his empire was dismembered
into fragments.
"The effect Of the late war has been to
weld together the nation still more closely
into one cohesive body; it has removed,
once for all, slavery, the great apple Of
discord, it has broken down the wall Of
separation which divided section from sec
ton and exhibits us more strikingly as one
nation, one family, with the same aims
and the same aspirations. The humanity
exhibited in our late struggle contrasted
with the cruelties exercised toward the
vanquished OF former times is an eloquent
tribute to the blessings OF Christian civil
ization.
In surveying the life of Gen. Sheridan,
it seems 10 me that these were his promi-
nent features and the salient points in his
character-undaunted heroism combined
with gentleness of disposition; strong as u
lion in war; gentle as a child in peace;
bold, daring, fearless, undaunted, unhcs-
itating, his courage rising with the danger,
ever fertile in resources, ever prompt in
execution, his rapid movements never i'm
PEELED by blind impulse, but ever
prompted by a calculating mind. / have
neither the time nor the ability TO dwell
upon his military career from the time he
left West Point until the close Of the war.
Let me select one incident which reveals
TO us his quickness of conception and read
iness OF execution. ] refer TO his famous
ride in the valley of Virginia. AS he is
advancing along the road he sees his rout-
ed army rushing pell nell toward him.
Quick rs thought, by the glance OF his eve
by the power OF his word, by the strength
Of his will, he hurls back that living
stream on the enemy and snatches victory
from the jaws OF defeat.
"How bold in war, how gentle in peace
On some fine occasions in Washington
had the pleasure ofmeeting Gen. Sheridan
socially in private circles. | was forciby
struck by his gentle disposition, his amia-
bic manner, his unassuming department
his eye bcaming with good nature and his
voice scarcely raised above a whisper.
said 10 myself, is this bashiul man and re-
firing citizen the great general OF the
American army Is this the hero OF so
many battles? II is true, Gen. Sheridan
has been charged with being sometimes
unnecessarily severe toward the enemy.
MY conversations with him strongly i'm.
pressed me with the groundlessness of a
charge which could in no wise be recon.
ciled with the adherence which he ex.
pressed for the atrocities OF war with his
natural aversion 10 bloodshed, and with
the hope he uttered that he would never
again be obliged 10 draw his
sword against an enemy. am
persuaded that the sentiments Of
humanity ever found a congenial home,
n secure Judgement in the breast OF Gen.
Sheridan. Those who are best acquainted
with his military career unite in saying
that he never ncedlessly sacrificed human
life, and that he loved and cared for his
soldiers rs father loves and cares for his
children. But we must not forget that II
the departed hero was a soldier he was,
too, citizen; and II We wish 10 know how
a man stands ~ citizen, we must ask our.
selves how he stands ~ son, u husband
and father The parent is the source OF
the family, the family is the source OF the
nation. Social life is the reflex OF the fam
lily life. The stream does not rise above It's
source. Those who are admitted into the
inner circle OF Gen. Sheridan's home need
not be told that il was q peaceful and hap
by one. lie was fond husband and an
aiIectionate father, lovingly devoted TO his
wife and children. hope / am not tres.
|
lie life when ! state that the generals sick.
ness was accelerated, II not aggravated, by
n fatiguing Journey which he made In or.
der 20 be home in time 10 assist at n do.
nestle celebration, in which one OF his
children was the central figure.
"Aboyo all, Gen. Sheridan was a Chris.
tian. lie died fortified by the consultations
Of religion. having his trust in the saving
| u. A a ~
hope in blessed immortality. What Il
life without the hope of immortality?
What II life that isbounded 10y the horizon
Of the tomb2 Surely Il is not worth liy.
ing. What Is the life even OF the antcdi.
luvian patriarchs but like the mist which
is dispelled by the morning sun. What
would IL profit this illustrious hero 10 80
down 20 his honored grave covered with
earthly glory, II he had no hope In tho
eternal glory 10 GOMEZ II Is the hope Of
eternal life that constitutes at once OUT
dignity and our moral responsibility. God
has planted In the human breast an
irresistible desire for Immortality. IL u
born with MS aud lives aud moves with
us. II inspires our best aud hottest
actions. Now God would not have given
us this desire II he did not intend
, that u should be fully satisfied. lie
! would not have given Us this Thirst fol
eternal happiness u lie had not intended
20 assuagc IT, lie never created anything
in vain. Thanks 10 God, this universal
warming Of the human heart h sanctioned
and yindicatcd by the voice Of revelation
The inspired word Of God not only pro
claims the immortality Of the soul, bu
/ also the future resurrection OF the body
: 4 know, saws the prophet Job, that m,
. rcdccmer liycth, and that on the last dal
, shall rise out Of the earth, and IN m!
flesh shall see my God.
/ Wonder not AT this says our Savior
for the hour comoih when all that are II
. their graves shall hear the voice Of th,
! son Of man, and they who have done vel
, shall come forth 10 the resurrection q
4 life, aud they who have done III, 10 th
I. resurrection o. Judgment Aud the apps
=. lie writes these comforting words 10 III
4 ThessalOnianG I would not have you ~
o norant. brethren, concerning those tina
4 are asleep, that We be not sOrowiul liz
those who have no hope; for, u wo bclioy
/. that Jesus died aud rose again, oven :
y those who have died In Jesus, God vi
/ raise unto himself. Therefore, conioI
!. yourselves with these words.
J. These are the words Of comfort
o would address 10 you, madam, laithil
n consort Of the Industrious dead. This
II The olive branch Of peace and hops
II would bring you today. This is the sily'
!. lining Of the cloud which hangs over yol
y We followed you In spirit and with syn
10 pathizing hearts ~ you knelt In prayer
q. the bed Of your dying husband. May u
Y, God Of all consolation comfort you in ih