Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1890-01-01
The Tirginians Condole.
THE SOCIETY MEETS AND ADOPTS REsoLU-
TIONs "A TRIBUTE By MR.. PAYNE.


From the Atlanta Constitution of Dec. 24th.l
The meeting of the Virginia society was
argely attended last night beueNse it was
known that suitable action would he taken
to express the grief of the society because
Of Mr.. Grady's death.
When the usual business had been tranc-
acted, DR.. G. G. Roy, chairman of the
appointed to draw up set of
resolutions rose and submitted the follow
ing -
Dark clouds of grief are gathered To-
night over our city, and all this fair, sunny
land
'sThe golden bowl is broken" The lips
of Georgia's silver-tongued orator and
loving son are hnshed forever.
The hearts of members of this society are
draped in mourning, for we, as we'll as
every true and loyal son of the South, claim
a legacy in the fame and name of him who
has done SO much to make illustrious the
history of our southern laud since the
stormy days of war.
All that is mortal of Henry W. Grady,
our fellow-towpsmap, our friend, our
neighbor, the matchless orator, the dutiful
citizen, the peerless con of Georgia, lies
cold and pulseless tonight.
By one who does not know, it may be
asked: Why such demonstrations of grief !?
Why such praise?
Much every way.
Mr.. Grady's grand work was not confined
alone to Atlanta and Georgia-spots which
we're as the apple of his eye-the very care
of his heart.
These be loved with a devotion, sur
passed by none, equaled by few.
His right arm would have been given
any hour for their honor or safety.
But Henry W. Grady was welding the
link to bind together the Old North and
the New South, by bis wise, conservative
but bold pen and tongue. by his brilliant,
captivating oratory, by his invincibe and
logical deduction of facts and by his open
hearted candor and manliness as 10 man
living can do.
In this respect bis death is national
calamity, we of the South, especially feel
and deplore.
The Virginia society of Atlanta, Ca, at
its regular monthly meeting, wishing To
give expression to their profound sorrow,
yea, heartfelt grief and loss at the death of
Virginia's true friend, as well as Georgia's;
therefore,
Resolced. That the loss of Grady to the
South is as the loss of "Stonewall" jack
son to the army of Virginia.
To the people of Atlanta, in bssetting
trials he was ever "ihe brave man banding
them together, who would rise as Elisha
rose in beleaguered Samaria. aud, touching
their eyes with faith, bid them look abroad
to see the very air filled with the chariots
of Israel and the horsemen thereof"
To bis family we, the Virginia society of
Atlanta, would express our profoundest
81 toH TO no
South, and to the whole country we would
mourn our common loss and unutterable
grief.
G. G. Roy, Chairman.
MIR. Carol PAYNE who bad been appoint
ed to express the sentiment of the society,
said:
Mr., Chairman ard Gentlemen of the
Virginia society,", Il am called upon to ex-
press our sorrow over the un'iIneiy death
of AtIauta's uoblest SOD. Henry w Grady.
What can l say? Since the time when
Sherman covered tie hearthssones Of At
lanta with the ashes of desoiation there has
been 10 calamity which this city has to
mourn over like that which to-day turna
this Joyous season to one OF sorrow and
tears.
Providence in it's mysterious way has
claimed The treasure we would have parted
With last. Cut down ere there had been a
perfect fruition of his genius. What has
not her son done for Atlanta, for Geo' gia,
yea, for the South. From the moment
when be appeared st the New England
dinner made celebrated because of his
presence-to the time, 80 briefly past
when at Boston he lifted up bis vnice in
behalf of the Sonth, his career before the
public has been like the brilliant flash OF
some fair meteor Illuminating the eutire
horizon Of this country with his burning
eloqueuce, and dazzling all alike by the
fire which, Promatheus like, he drew direct
from heaven, and alas! metenr-!ike disap-
pearipg il blaze of glory, just when the
world seemed brightest for his presence
He was really the moderD incarnation Of
Ogmius, that god of words, whom the
Gauls worsbiped, for cut of bis mouth
flowed chains to hold his listeners captive
Who in the South can receive and wear
the mantle he has dropped-a giants robe?
Who can step into the place left vacant.
and with voice and pen persuade, please,
electrifv and convince unwilling listeners,
as did this man, the music of whose voice
has helped to attune to harmony the dis
cordant sections of the North and South?
We Virginians would be proud indeed to
claim him, but then we can, for 10 State
lines can bound his fame, just as bis body
was all too small for the great and burning
soul that animated it.
We at least know that he sat st the feet
IF learning at the old University of Vir-
gnia, and nobly too did be repay the ser
vices she rendered when but last summer
he returned to make her venerable walls
echo With his unmatched eloquence.
He has uncOnsciOusly written his own
epitaph and carved his own monument, for
more lasting than marble and more endur-
ing than bronze will be the living words he
has uttered, which have burned their way
into the minds and hearts Of his country
men.
His name will live--bis fame for vivid,
graphic word painting, for persuasive elo-
que ce, for the power and force of mag
netic ufterauce will place HIM with Web
ster, with Clay, Calhoun, Williams, Writ
and others, whose names as orators have
become household words
The South with eyes yet wet with tears
at the departure Of it's venerable and be-
loved Davis, must weep afresh at this ad-
ditional loss, the greater because his service
bad Just hegup. Fit il is that two great
souls should go together to their reward.
Rev. Mr.. Fusten then delivered mag
nifice,t tribute to Mr.. Grady. Among
other things, be said that no one present,
if be had been left to decide, could not have
picked ont others who could have been
better spared than Mr.. Grady. God had
seen otherwise, and in His own wisdom He
had said DO to the prayers offered for Mr..
Grady's life. He thought it possible that
Mr.. Grady had been removed TO i'm mortal
ize thu effort be made in Boston.
Captain Edward S. Gay was the next
speaker. He said that whn he first
heard the news of Mr.. Grsdys death, he
felt as he did when be heard the news of
General JackSon's death, ard when bis
family gathered about the family altar in
prayer, his little children wept when the
name Of Henry W Grady was mentioned
Mr. W. " Fl den. vice president of The
society, said that klr. Grady had achieved
Il character for himself and from it's univer--
sal heights be had proclaimed the dignity
and honor of the Southern people. He
said hat Mr. Grady had been the friend of