Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1893-06-02
The DEAD LEADER.

On Wednesday last, in Holly Wood Gem
etery, near Richmond, Virginia, almost I'M
der the shadow of the Capitol of the Con.
federacy, where the maichless purity, spen-
dor and power of his craftsmanship and ex-
ecutive ability were marvelously exempi-
fed, the remains of jefferson Davis were
laid away in their final resting place on
EARTH
A great historian has said that "it Is moral
grandeur which produces durable impress
sion-it is patriotic heroism which perma.
nently attracts the admiration of mankind"
The pass of Thermopyle and the graves Of
Marathon will warm the hearts of every
succeeding age. We need not turn to Mar
athon or Thermopyle TO find warriors who
have wreathed their brows with unfading
laurels-nor search the storied archives of
Spartan valor for names that were not born
TO die. In the galaxy of fame there is no
brighter constellation than the Heroes OF the
Lost Csuse"-a cause in which Stonewall
jackson add Jeb Stuart and host of other
noble spirits fell, and of which Robert f.
Lee and Jefferson Davis we're the exem-
plars and opponents.
Thirty and odd years have passed away
since that "storm-c Graded nation" was bap-
tized in the red baptism Of blood, and yet ev
cry signing breeze that plays midst the forest
shade of that ''land of story and of song"
whispers softly Of the gentler attributes of
their lofty nature, and every heart throbbed
us the remains of their dead leader were
given to the silence and secrecy OF their last
home.
Sleep Christian, patriot, soldier and states.
man in the heart of soil thou didst so nobly
defend, and in the bosom Of people who
loved thee whilst living and who hold sacred
thy memory in death. With the purple
spendor of every budding Spring, "child.
hood in its spotless innocence. woman in
her purity, manhood in Its prime, age with
its ripe intelligence, citizen and soldier"
will hasten with touching and expressive
emblems for the grave of one who conse-
Grated his life in behalf OF their interest,
honor and glory. The mountains, which
stand HARDLY, like lonely sentinels, are not
hrmer, nor the untutored melody of the
dimpled stream which flows near thy hon
ored tomb, more constant than the love of
that people who have just placed thee 10
rest.
Sacred and hallowed spot that holds thy
honored remains-sacred at morn, at noon
and at eve-here softly, sweetly sleep. The
flowers will bloom and the birds will sing
above thee, and nature around thy last rest
ing place shall fling all the beauties that the
changing seasons know. But no birdling's
song. no flowers perfumed breath, shall be
purer or sweeter than were the emanatiOns
Of thy mind and heart. And no sunset
cloud of life shall be more grand, more
beautiful than the example which thou hast
left us. Here the myrtle and the egan
tine will shed their sweet perfume, Here
the pine and the cypress will chant their
melancholy requiems In response To the
winds soft touch. Minglng with the even
ing's gentle twilight, the notes of the whip
powill will not fall upon thy ear The
winter winds which shrek and howl over
the desolate plains and snow-capped hills
and mountains will not touch thee--the
ivy and evergreens will not cheer thee, nor
broken sobs disturb thy sumber.