, 1888-09-02

From an editorial in the Chicago Inter
Ocean, on the death of Gen. Philip H. Sheri-
dan, in prose; versifed by j. c. Baird.l
Along the brown Potomac's curving banks,
Where fearful armies once in deadly strife
Contended for the Nations woe or veal,
The fields and glades are murmuring OF peace
As the still hero Of the fateful hour
Is borne in mournful pomp to his last rest.
How like the vision of "A dream
The scene that memory c%onjures from the
mist Of years,
Smote dull inaction with enthusiast zeal
OF onward courage, and set war afiame.
The stories told in verse of gallant times
when Valor was the soul of soul with men,
And the loud battle was the JOY OF earth,
Seem fit again for telling
with his name to round the period Of brave
applause.
Great deeds to stir the sluggish blood,
And thrill the martial spirit peace
Has lulled TO sleep star-gem his valiant and
And crown with romance 'war's thrice horrid
front
His was the nature made to laugh at fear
And smile on danger as n comrade smiles
Who clasps the sturdy palm OF welcome
friend.
The roar of cannon and the clash of arms
Was to the iumost hearing of his soul
What music is tOhearts of gentler make,
An Inspiration and fulfilled desire.
Astride the steed, into whose swelling veins
His spirit passed and coursed till man and
beast
Seemed one in courage and in purpose one,
He led the splendid charge resistlessly,-
Swept down the valley with destroying
might
snatched glorious victory from wild despair,
And with a benedicte of oaths
Built evening camp fires from the rebel spoils.
And then again, when Cedar Mountains rocks
Cleaned red as Phlegethons had drenched
her sides,
The single force of this u~ndaunted man,
His stber flashing as his voice cheered on,
Turned rutnous defeat triumphantly,
And won a field that valor's self had lost.
Nc foe d%ismayed him and no peril checked.
Within him was the strength that scorn of
death
And steadfast faith in self gives to the will
That cunts no loss but duty unperformed.
His was the soldiers task;
Beneath the flag whose starry azure was his
To do or die was all the mission that he knew.
Not drawer than becomes the wise
When deeds not all their own involved un-
numbered lives,
He yet had hat supreme contempt of means
That holds all sacrifice Justly made
ifbut the end essenti; uo attained.
Where flashed the lis 5Ing of his sword,
Or rang the Joyous be-. - IF his lusty cheer,
me boys In blue le..ped forward will fresh
zeal,
ReviviAed, encouraged and made strong.
Faith In their leader multiplied their force;
Love FOR the little general nerved them on;
And from that first mac rush when Stuart
Unto the last wild whirl at red Five Forks,
This soldier, itto rank in lustrous fame
With bravest of the brave, OUTLYING time,
PluGked still new laurels from each bloody
field.
The worlds gray annals shield no worthier
name
Than this for proud memorial and love,
Where patriot hearts to patriot daring thrill:
ANA In the realm of fancy, where brave deeds
Gain glory from the poets coloring pen,
No warrior hero quicken bold romance
With goodlier valor or with doughtier grace
Than he addressed to wars most real decree.
Well may he lie within the Nations heart
The murmuring ripple of Potomac's stream
The miserere of his last bivouac,
HIS sleep in that historic ground
His sword did not the least TO keep his coun-
try's shrine.
Peace to his ashes-modern Grant knight,
type of chtValry, bravest of the brave.