The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1888-08-12

warm SEQ tuecblO0dte uhtuE6s Auu SURF
that the sons of the South, and especially those
who fought in the late war. will join in the ma
tional iamentation ana will lay garland OF
mourning on the bier OF the great general.
They recognize the fact that the Nations eener-
al is dead, and that his death is ths Nations
loss; and this universal sympathy. coming from
all sections of the country. irrespective OF party
lines, is easily accounted for when We consider
that under an over-rning Providence the war Ia
which General Sheridan took such conspicu-
Gus part has resulted in increased blessings TO
every State In our common country.
There's a divinity that shapes ends,
Rough hew them how we will,
and this is true OF nations as well as Of individ-
uals- What constitutes the great difference be-
tween the wars of sntiqp;.' and our recent
warl The war of the Older was followed
by subjugation and bondag, he train of our
great struggle came reconci and freedom.
Alexander the Great waded :. ough the blood
Of his fellow-man- By the sword be conquered
and by the sword he kept the van9uished in
bondage. Scarcely was be cold in death when
his vassals shook off the yoke and his empire
was dismembered into fragments. The effect of
the late war has been to weld together the Ma
ton 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 sepa-
ration which divided section from section, and
exhibits Us moro strikingiy as one nation. one
family, with the same aims and the same aspira-
tons- The humanity exhibited In our late
struggle, contrasted with the crueltes exercised
toward the vanquished of former times, is an ell
oquent tribute to the blessings Of Christian civ
ilization.
In surveying the life OF General Sheridan, it
seems that these were his prominent feat
ures and the salient points In his charscter-un-
daunted hsroism combined with gentleness or
disposition; strong . lion In war, gentle as q
child in peace; bold. daring, fearless, undaunted,
unhesitsting, his courage rising with the danger
fertile in resources. ever prompt in exscu-
tlon his rapid movements never impelled by
blind impulse, but ever prompted BY calculst-
ing mind. have neither the time nor the abil-
ity 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 readiness
of execution. l refer to his famous ride in the
valley OF Virginia. AS be Is advancing along
the road. he sees his routed army rushing pell-
nell toward him. Quick as thought. by the
glance of his eye, by the power Of his word, by
the strength OF his will, he hurls
back that living stream on the en-
envy, and snatches victory from the jaws
Of defeat. How bold in war, how gentle in
peace. On some few occasions in Washington.
i had the pleasure of meeting General Sheridan,
eocially in private circles. was forcibly struck
by his gentle disposition his amiable manner his
unassuming department, his eye beauing with
good nature and his voice scarcely raised above
a whisper. i said to mvself is this bashful
man and retiring citizen the great General or
the American armiesl Is this the hero of 80
been charged with being sometimes unnecessa-
rily severe toward the enemy Ny conversa-
tions with him strongly impressed me with the
Rroundlessness of charge which could In no.
wise be reconciled with the abhorrence which be
expressed for the atrocities of war. with his
natural aversion to bloodshed, and wththe hope
he uttered that he would never again be obliged
to draw his sword against an enemy. am Der
suaded that the sentiments OF humanity ever
found a conRenial home, a secure lodemsnt. in
the breast of General Sheridan. Those who
are best acquainted with his military career
unite in saying that he never needlesely sacri-
feed human life. and that he loved and cared
for his soldiers as father loves and cares
for his children.
"But we must not forget that il the departed
hero was soldier he was. too. citizen; and II
we wish to know how man stands as a citizen
we must ask ourselves how he stands as son,
husband and fathsr. The parent is the source
Of the family, the family is the source Of tho
nation. Social life is the reflex of the family
life. The stream does not rise above it's source.
Those who were admitted into the inner circle
of General Sheridans home need not be told
that it was peaceful and happy one. He was
. fond husband and an affeetionate father, low
ingly devoted to his wife and children. hope
am not tres passing upon the sacred privacy OF
domestic life when / state that the Generals
sickness Was accelerated. IL not aggravated, by
8 fatieuing journey which he made in order TO
be homo in time TO assist At a domestic ceIebra-
tion, 10 which one OF his children was the central
figure
above all, General Shercau WAS Christian.
He died fortified by the consultations OF religion,
having his trust in the saving mercies OF our
Redeemer and humble hope in blessed immor-
tslity. What is life without the hope Of immor-
talityl What Is life that Ia bounded by the hori-
zon OF the tombi Surely. IN is not worth living.
WHAT'S the life evsnof the tediluvian patrisrchs
but like the mist which is dispeled by the morn
ing sun. What would it profit this ilustrious
hero to 60 down to bis honored grave covered
with earthly glory, If he had no hope in the
eternal glory to comet 1t 10 the hope of eternal
life that constitutes at once our dignity and our
moral responsibility. God has planted in the
human breast an irresistible desire for immor-
tality. 1t is born with us, and lives and moves
with us. 1t inspires our best and hoiest actions.
Now. God would not have given US this desire
II He did not intend that it should be fully satis
fed. He would not have gwen Us this
thirst for infinite happiness il He
had not intended TO assuage ie.
He never created anything in vain. Thanks to
God, this universal yearning of the human
heart is sanctioned and indicated by the voice
of revelation. The inspired word of God not
only proclaims the Immortality of the soul. but
also the future resurrection OF the body. knew,
says the prophet Job. that my Rsdeemer liveth,
and that on the last day shall rise out of the
Wonder not at this says our Savior. for the
hour cometn when al that are 10 their graves
shall hear the voice of the Son of Man. and they
who have done well shall come forth to the
VI lilo, buU tut1 Wno nave uouc iiis
to the resurrection of Judgment And the apos-
tie writes these comforting words to the Thes-
salonians Il would not have you ignorant
brethren, concerning those tnat are asleep. that
ys be not sorowful like those who have no hope;
for if believe that Jesus died and rose again,
| even so those who have died in Jesus, God will
roise unto himself. Therefore, comfort your.
| selves with these words.'
These are the words Of comfort would ad-
| dress to you, madam, faithful consort of the
| illustrious dead. This is the olive branch 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 sym
| pathizing hearts you kpelt in prayer at the
bed OF your dying husband. May the God of all
| consolation comfort you in this hour of sorrow
May tho soul of your husband this day be in
| peace and his abode 10 Zion; may his memory
be ever enshrned in the hearts OF hs country
men. and may or beloved country. which he
| has loved and served SO we'll. ever be among the
| foremost nations OF the EARTH the favored laad
| of constitutional freedom strong in the loyat
OF it's patriotic citizens, and in the genius and
valor OF its soldiers Till time shall be no more
| Comrades and companions OF the illustrious
dead, take hence your great leader, hear him to
his last resting place: carry him gently loving
| ly; and. though you may not hope TO attain his
exalted rank, you will strive at least TO emulate
| him by the integrity of your private life by
| your devotion TO your country. and by upholding
the honor Of your military profession
| At IL O'Clock the Cardinal descended from the
pulpit and. taking his place in front of the
throne. the black and gold mantle was placed
upon his shoulders and a bishops mitre upon bis