Fort Worth gazette. [volume] (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1891-1898, 1891-10-22
Letter From Henry watter.on.

Hon. Clark Howell, Etc. Etc, Etc.
l regret that l am forbidden by duties
which claim me- elsewhere, and are impera-
tive. TO accept the invitation with which
you have honored me, 10 be present, and to
participate in the ceremonies on the occa-
sion of the unvailing of the statue com
memorative of Henry ". Grady. Whilst
he lived he was a young colleague of whom
l was very proud, and when he died / la
mented him as patriot prematurely
Snatched from great and noble work,
which he had made his own. If preceded
him in that work, it was but the accident
of seniority: for in u single bound he meas
ured the entire distance, achieving, by one
brief speech. what had not been able to
compass by fifteen years of constant speak
ing and writing. From that day, Decem Der
81, 1856 to the day of his death. Decem Der
%, 1889, he stood upon the signal heights of
American manhood and brotherhood, self
poised and peerless. He was prose poet
and an orator of commanding power; of If
resistible personality; and mis- death, which
brought so much sorrow to so many hearts
that knew and loved him. became public
and ratioual bereavement.
The conveyance of Gods message of
peace to America was fittingly reserved
for the coming OF one so young in feeling
yet so old in wisdom. so gentle yet so brave,
so like child yet so truly man. He was
its light, and the touch of the angels i'm
pressed upon the sensibilities of mis- coun-
trymen he was taken away, leaving only
blessed memory. 1t vas not for his radi-
ant spirit to be contaminated by long con-
tact with the unclean things and sad reali-
ties of this world; and, his mission of
good will to men" accomplished he was
called back to the bosom of his Maker. His
appointed work was done. His race was
won His career was complete.
He pleaded, as no other, for the past, the
present and the future. He stood, as it
were, midway between two generations;
and was at once type Of the good that had
been and sign of the good that might be.
From him the South heard the voice of its
best-beloved. speaking for millions who
could not SPEAK for themselves. In him the
North saw promise and hope, which it
was unable to see in party leaders, whose
utterance was often identified with political
interest and contention. and whose motives
were, therefore. always distrusted. Even
the open-hearted and broad-minded appeals
of Lamar and Hill came short OF the
mark and fell outside the breastworks Of
sectional passion. Grady took up the won
drous tale of valor, travail and despair; and,
BY the might of his presence and his words,
subdued the genius of war, whilst he vital
lied its heroes; the legions of Lee lived
again, but 10 longer in martial array; the
CdUpS Ol E0lOnChd JdShSOu oucEC dhC".
but on fame's eternal camping-ground; and
back of all were pictured the living, allied
to the dead in glory and in grief, but Christ
ian men and women still, loving their dead
and true to them, yet loving their country,
and true to it. The spell of prejudice was
broken On both sides the unreconciied
listened; and, passage once made for
truth tho North began 10 realize equally
with the South, the need of something more
than justice. and to rejoice at rivalry OF
generous concession.
It is easy now for all OF US to join in this.
Grant ahd Lee, and Sherman and Johnston,
and Grady, comrades at last in immortality,
walk together amid the light of the perfect
day; and. in little while, the rest of US
whom the war divided will be immortal,
too, and know the truth. The ark of the
covenant is restored; the flag Of the Union
waves on high. Esto Perpetual 1t was
politicians war. It is a peoples peace.
Let the North and the South alike rejoice
and give thanks TO God, sure that the final
verdict will not be political or sectional
verdict; because it will be registered in
heaven, where all is made right that so puz-
zles Us here. In the meanwhile let him be