Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1891-05-27

ing Accomplishments, ITS bright array "i
chivalry, intelligence aud beauty, the magic
charm Of music, or the moving power OF eio-
ouence. These are not needed TO excite our
most intense feelings and fan and kindle to
fame tina, spark Of patriotism latent with
in our very bosom.
We have assembled here to-day, on Gods
HOLY Dav. TO shed the tear Of sorrow over
the grave. to pay our tribute of love, of
homage aud respect TO the mOmory and to
learn lesson from the life and services Of
the late illustrious Gen Joseph f. John't'n.
The recollection Of his country, the dangers
he braved. the sacrifices he endured and the
suFerings he bore in defense of his country
and his mother state is so we!l-knOwn as TO
require but little from any one. If l was
10 attempt 10 describe the achievements OF
this grand soldier how vain would be my eff
forts. and conscious Of my incompetency to
portray before you his life, or rightly TO de-
lineate his character I leave the task of Gu
logy 70 some more eloquent successor.
/ have the consciousness Of knowing that,
as detraction cannot impair so eulogy can
not add to his eternal fame-it is theme
around which the historian delights TO lin
ger and one upon which genius and elo-
quenee have expended their every effort
Gen. Johnston was no ordinary man. He
possessed military genius equal to any
chisftain in ancient or modern times. The
people Of the south, loved, honored and adj
mired him, they confined in him, and their
confidence was not misplaced for he was
equal to any and every emergency. For at
once with a moral power that resisted every
thing, retrcating before a superior enemy
contrary to. tho advice Of his friends, the
wish Of his army and lie consideration Of
own fame, he exhibited to all that the in-
terest of his country was paramount TO every
other motive, aud again with the most con-
summate Generalship and daring courage,
performing feats Of valor and gaining VIC
tories that riyaled the most brilliant achiev-
meuts Of earth's greatest conquerors.
And although he may not have possessed
those shining traits which attract by their
glare and splendor the admiration of the
passing beholder, though his genius was not
so brilliant or the sphere of his action so ex-
tended as that Of the great Napolean, not
withstanding all this who can compare them
together for one moment, seriously and can
didy and not yield the palm Of superiority
in some respects at least 20 our distinguish
ed cOuntryman?
In the one we see much TO admire, moth
ing to love. still more to abhor; we may bow
at the shrine of his genius, may look with
wonder and amazement on his uuparelled
career-yet when we think of the agency
employed, the motives that impelled him TO
the performance of his every action, we can
but be filled with disgust aai detestation.
or him it may be said that he erected a
monument TO perpe,uate his fame, a pyra-
mid of human carcases, swan 20 il through
a sea of blood aud the breath that waited
him on to glory and renowu was the sigh
Of millions.
His was the course Of the lawless and fear
full comet. that i'm its wanderings through the
"yoid immense" comes 50 near as TO blight
and desolate orr earth and It's surrounding
spheres.
'rhen plunging from It's height
Pauses upon the ocean boiling surge,
And i'm defiance of IT'S darksOme doom,
Light for itlelfa fierce volcanic tomb.
But the career of johnson was that Of the
Sun in Heaven, hat from the calm radiance
Of morning shines brighter and brighter to
the efulgeuce OF noondsy, dispensing light,
life and happiness throughout the universe
How different was the closing scenes of
their lives, what a striking contrast between
the wretched and lonely exile on the oceans
rock. with the vultures of disappointed am
bition consuming his yitaIs, and he who
full of years and houors willingly leaves the
busy scenes of public life for his be-
loved home in the metropolis of the nation,
where in the calm and cloudless evening of
his days. having reached far beyond the age
allotted To man, when the disc Of his SUI
was almost ready TO dip into the great ocean
of eternity, he'waited patiently for the
final order of his Heavenly Captain % cross
over the dark river and 90 meet iu that
grand eucampmeut ON high with his iilu,tri
Gus compatriot,. Lee and jackson, Cu.p-p-
ers hyorite and gallant son A p Hid
Stuart. Vim. smith and Geo. f. P.ckct~
ilus,riou, names. that were mot bosn To-
die" Vir.iujaus al aud their mother state,
when like the mother Of tie Gre III
asked tor herjewels, Sac can point 20 them
and saw they are my sons. Immortal men,.
They can never be forgotten, for the memo
rial of their greatness will be inscribed up
on the highest and brightest record of un-
dying fame and the Recording Angel Will
register their goodness which ,be archives
of Heaven viii unfold Co an attentive and
admiring world.
A recent novel Of Miss Helen II. Garden
or has occasioned considerable comment
The personality of the author has also been
topic Of debate The authoritative facts
are given in brief sketch, which state, that
ts- ,,,.,.,,,rs have altr-v- lived iu Mary