The gold leaf. [volume] (Henderson, N.C.) 1881-1911, 1889-12-19
the cold Guard" was to France.

His life teaches the lesson of Seif-abne-
CATION. Devotion to Principle, Steadfasti
ness of Purpose, Invincible Integrity,
Weakness and Humility, IndomitabIe En-
ergy, Christian Charity, Dauntless Cour-
age. Sublime Patience, and Beautiful, In
tense, Holy Faith.
Faith in himself; Faith in the Cause he
had loved and cherished; Faith in the
people, who loved him; Faith in the
eternal, ever sounding voice of impartial
history, and Faith in his God When re-
viewing his life, especially since the war,
We realize the truth and beauty of the
lines
Faith with tenderest hand. unfurls her
stainless banner.
Upon the broken heights of our departed
dreams
And calm endurance with her soft. pa
thetic eyes,
Bright with the saarificial dews of word
less prayer,
Unlocks the chamber of each waiting day,
And marks the duties and the cares that
lie therein,
And writes above the Intel when the long,
long day is done,
Her own brave motto, :" Lo! all things can
be borne"
My friends, we are told by Rollin, the
Historian, OF the pomp and magnificence
that attended the obseGuies OF Alexander
the Great
The funeral chariot was drawn by
sixty-four milk white horses, each wear
ing golden crown, and collars enriched
with precious stones and golden bells.
The floor OF the chariot was of solid
gold eighteen feet long and twelve feet
vide. Columns of the Ionic order sup
Aprted golden canopy. The circumfer-
pee was beautifed with gold fringe an
in thickness
THE external decorations we're dis
posed in relieves representing different
scenes in the life of Alexander.
Upon the floor of the chariot was a
throne of gold, and at the foot OF the
throne rested the coffin of Alexander
formed OF beaten gold, half filled with
aromatic spices and perfumes
The casket was covered with purple
pail.
The chariot was followed by the vet
Grams OF Alexander, together with the
royal Guards magnifcently arrayed"
Yet L tell you that Jefferson Davis,
except perhaps as a warrior, was a great
er, better and purer man, and vastly
more beloved than Alexander the Great,
and II the people of the South desired to
testify their boundless love for him by a
grand display Of "barbaric pearl and
gold, instead of with sweet flowers, fall
ing tears and cherished memories, they
TOO would wish for a funeral car of solid
gold, blazing with gens-for such pomp
and splendor for his obsequies as those |
which characterized the burial of the
mighty Macedonian.
And the people Of the South would wish |
IN O|lO1n fI.,+ l.
Mr.. Davis, first as he appeared at Buena
Vista sitting on his war horse. surround |
ed by his gallant Mississippians. amid |
the shock of battle.
Then as he looked when he stood upon |
the floor OF the United States Senate and
delivered his farewell address.
Then we should see him as President of |
The Southern Confederacy, surrounded by
lis cabinet with Robert Z. Lee and Stone
vail jackson on either side
In another we should see him paIlid
md bent, gray, and shackled, but uncon-
luercd and uncOnquerable, in Fortress
Monroe.
In the next we should see him-dead-j
ylng In state, with the South weepiDgl
,ver his bier. :
They would wish the last, to be a mag-|
hhcent carving, representing his monu-
aent, which should be grander, higher,
nd dearer than any mauselom vet erect
to the memory of man-its broad base
estlng upon the hearts of the Southern
eople-lts corner stone filled with their
ears.
Upon its cleaning sides should be writ
an In letters of gold, the Faith and Ven .
'atlon OF a chivalric and puissant peo- :
lie.
Within its shadow should be stacked t
le old confederate muskets, and parked 4
le ldbattered artillery
And from it's lofty summit should float l
Vo tiags-the one, that which he loved
rst, and across which he wrote his namet
letters that will never fade, the Stars
nd Strlpes-glorious ensign Of our great
epublIc-the other that banner to which
gave the strength and love of his ma
lrer, betteryears, that flag which though s
waves no longer over fields of victory,
u leads chivalric legions to death and
)nor, yet In the realm of dead Empires
III Repuulics floats high above any y
andard that has been unfurled upon
e plains OF earth, that f g which is
crushed III ten millions of hearts-theI
al, dead but untorgoHen Stars and
ars OF the Southern Confederacy,
Star of the South
10 thee all eyes and hearts were turned.
round thy path, from plain to sea,
Inc glory OF thy greatness burned.
lions were drawn to thee and bound
BY minds high mastery, millions hailed /
thee guide star-and ne'er found
ray in thee, that waned or failed.
!, nights embrace for thee nor pail,
BUT such as mortal hand hath wrought
ou lIyest still in mind-in all
hos
thought"
Friend, M
Y work of life aNhiavaI q ,1o ]