West Virginia Democrat. [volume] (Charles Town, W. Va.) 1885-1890, 1888-06-22
SPEECH OF SENATOR JNO. W.
DANIEL.


Stonewall Jackson at Chancellors.
vile, Va, on June 13, 1888:
Governor Lee introduced Senator
Daniel, who said
Here in the depths of the wilder
ness on Spotsylvania's soil on the
Sd day of May, 1868, in the hour OF
victory, and in the fortieth year of his
age, fell in battle Thomas Jonathan
jackson. Lleutenant-generdl in the
army of the Confederate States, com
manding the Second corps of the
Army of Northern Virginia. On
the 10th day of May he died, and in
the grave yard at his old home at
Lexington, Va. he lies buried.
Hither we come to dedicate upon
this spot landmark stone and to
pay respect to his memory. Sacred
is the soil that soaked the hero's
blood, sad and tender are the memo
ries this day recalls. But this is
not the place nor this the time for
tears. We are gathered together to
rejoice that human nature can take
to credit and lift up to example the
life of such a man as Jackson, that
he spent his life amongst us, that he
gave his life to us, that our country
men everywhere revere his name,
and that the record Of his life re.
mains as the glory of his State, his
people, his race, his country, and as
mankind's great heritage in all gen
erations.
The world has never known a
sublimer man than Jackson. His
life was stainless his soul was
meek; his courage was dauntless;
his energy was irrepresslble; his
ambition was chastened; his reli-
gion was pure; his patriotism was
fervent; his mind was vigorous; his
heart was charitable. He WAS val.
orous of his convictions; he was
shrinkinoly modest: he was grand
ly audacious.
Of his soldiers he was the idol; of
his country he was the hope; of war
he was the master. His genius was
transcendent. His deeds were won
derful. To serve his God and his
country he lived; serving and low
ing them he died. His manliness
and his godliness were alike pre-em-
inent, and the memory of him will
never die. / shall speak of him to-
day as man and soldier, and to tell
the truth plainly shall be my only
object, for Truth will be his monu-
ment when the stone upon his grave
has mingled with the dust beneath
it.
Senator Daniel then sketched the
youth of Jackson and his career in
the Mexican war, and, continuing,
said: -
The war came ON in 1861. The
drum. beat rolled across the CONT
nent. To arms From every hill
and valley, home and hamlet, North
and South, came the battlecry.
Virginia had exerted herself to the
last for peace, but there was no
peace. She took down her ancient
shield and drew her sword. At the
head of the corps of cadets, ordered
by Governor Letcher to Richmond,
went Major Jackson, and to his
home he never returned until lifted
from yonder spot by his faithful SOL
diers he was borne upon his bier.
AS A MAN.
Before l attempt to point out his
deeds or analyze his character as
general let me speak of Jackson the
man. He was one of Plutarch's men,
and one of Homer's men, who would
have inspired the classic pen of the
historian or the grandest strain OF
epic song. He was man of infiex-
ible and thrilling qualities-Besse-
mer steel and electricity combined.
He never turned page until it was
mastered. His punctuality became
proverb. He slept, ate, and stud
led by clock work, and his associ-
ates kept the time of day by his
movements. He never touched ar
dent spirits except for medicinal
purposes. Refusing its tender by
companion in the army, he said:
mo, am much obliged TO you: but
| never use it. / am more afraid of
it than of Federal bullets" He
used no stimulants whatever-neith-
er coffee, tea, tobacco, nor wine. To
him command and obedience, duty
and performance, were as one.
jackson was intensely religious.
The figure of the Presbyterian dea-
con in his pew at church in Lexing-
ton was as familiar to the congrega-
ton as the figure of the gray-clad
soldier afterwards became to his
men in march and battle and at
camp. meetings upon the wayside.
4 \
jackson was a man of the highest
ambition. He aspired to eminence
in Whatever he undertook. He had