, 1889-08-22
A MISSOURI HERO.
Tribute to the Memory OF the Late
Gen. Nathaniel Lyon.
trrom the St. Louis Globe-pcmocrotl

i rom tue -, Louis blooe-lcinoCrplI
The anniversary of the battle Of vii.
son s Creek was celebrated at Elstport,
Conn, yesterday, in an impressive way,
and as an especial mark of respect for
the memory of GoU. Nathaniel Lyon,
whose remains are buried there. Since
the September afternoon in l66i when
his flu9ral occurred-thc most notable
military demonstration which the State
has ever known-iis grave has not been
visited by any public asscmblagc, nor
has any suitable monument been erect
cd to perpetuate his fame. He died so
early IN the war that other
names eclipsed his in popular
interest and Affection but he
lived long enough, nevertheless, to prove
himself II hero of the first order. The
whole story of that terrible struggle does
not present brighter example OF cour-
age, sugacity ana integrity. lie was
every inch o soldier and a patriot Il
happened that his brief but splendid
service was confined wholly to Missouri,
and she may, therefore, justly claim him
as one Of her heroes. 1t was his genius
and his conspicuous loyalty that Kept
this state out Of the whirlpool of seCes-
sion, and organized victory of the Union
cause where all the conditions We're un-
certain and discouraging. With tho aid
of that other true and capable man,
Frank Blair he made himself master of
the situation; and tho conspiratOrS in
favor of the rebellion were thwurted and
ovcrawed before they could execute their
reasonable plans,
1t is easy L. recall the aspect of affairs
III st. Louis on the day when Lyon
marched his command out to Camp
jackson and compelled the surrender OF
the disguised Confederates who were
congregated there. \ man of less wis
dom and self-reliance would have per-
initted that egg to hatch, but he crushed
ii, and thus gained an advantage of first
importance. That was on the 10th of
May, and in the succeeding three months
he so improved the time as To settle the
question of the states fidelity to the
Union. lie was prominently the right
man in the right place at the right time.
1T was not necessary for him 10 wait and
experiment in order 10 understand the
problem that he had to deal with. Ills
Keen intelligence .grasped all the
facts at a glance, and his sense of duty
was equal TO the occasion. He
had no sympathy with the amiable
folly of conciliation. The plausible talk
OF tho secession leaders who sought TO
mystify and betray him was merely as
the gossip of insects to him. He saw
intuItively that they were only trying
to gain time for the perfection of their
hostile designs, and he quickly con-
Nlntcu tncn tllut t'ltN Hui Illlsldkell
their man. AS yet he was only a cap
tain OF artillery as to rank but his esd
mates and his methods were those Of
one born to command an army. lie
hated disloyalty. and did not attempt
to conceal his feeling in that respect; he
asked no favor aud he granted none.
There wt.s inspiration and assurance
in the bold, confident course Of this
grim soldier, who dominated the scene
by sheer force of personal character. He
was not popular even with those who
lantry. His soldiers did not like him,
and lie did not secl, to win their regard
but they had confidence in hiin, and
thar was ali he asked. lie was devoted !
to his duty with all his heart, and there /
was no room left in il for anything else.
His inherited Puritan traits had been
dccpened by twenty years OF service in
the regular army. The spirit of Calvin
ism wasin his blood and in his philoso-
ply. He did not care for the affection
OF those whom he commanded, but only