The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1894-05-31
RICHMOND. VA. THURSDAY MAY 81 1894

OF inc monument. and at the sound OF a
secoho eugie-note. pulled the cords which
nsra the ven around the bronze soldier
Inc cloth. wet and clinging close TO
the figure, parted slowly, hung for a mo-
ment on the shoulders, and then easily
slid 10 the feet OF the soldier standing out
IN iis grand beauty OF outline for the
anmiration OF thousands.
The Howitzers fred a single gun, which
was replied 70 by a volley of musketry
from the V. Nj. |. cadets. Both were rap
ldly repeated. and for ten minutes the
thunder OF cannon and peals OF musketry
IuhB out the grandest salute that has
day
The Governor and staff passed through
the line Of cadets to their horses. and
the troops disbanded for the return march
amidst pouring rain.
Hook and Ladder Co. No. |. ran up
their extension ladder and removed the
PROSTATE veil from the capstone Of the
monument, and the crowd rapidly dis
persed.
Thus. under extremely unfavorable con-
ditions of weather. was concluded an
event so fraught with importance that no
interference could make IL less than a
grand occasion.
Tho Prayer.
Almighty God, we inaugurate this I'm
pressive service with the reverential and
adoring homage which we pay TO Thee
the greatest and best of beings, the high
and mighty Ruler OF the universe, God
over all, blsgsed for evermOre.
From this hushed and silent throng may
there arise. as from enc heart, the devout,
acknowledgment of our dependence on
Thee for all that exalts and ennObles
life: for all that can give sacredness TO
this solemnity; for all that can III the
| future with glad and grateful recollections
| of this day, consecrated to all that can
/ give inspiration to the purest and sub
| limest patriotism.
| We come to thank God for the Illus
| trious commanders, whose knightly valor
and supreme devotion TO duty won for
| them unfading renown. We come to
| crown with the same laurels the patriot
| ic private in the ranks, TO whose splendid
courage our great leaders ascribed, unto
| God, all their success, and without whose
| heroic aid no commander could have
| won the place assigned TO him in the
| Pantheon OF our Confederate glory.
| They lie I'm lowly graves and the cause
| to which they gave sheir lives Is lost
| but above their dust, uprises this endur-
ing column to testify that their mem
cries are not lost. and high above these
lofty hills, IL towers to tell to coming
ages our love for the private soldier,
who fell In defense OF constitutional lib
sailor who frlnged his country's flag with
glory on the sea.
We rear this shaft of stone; we un-
roll the historic page; each shall be the
print 1t on the page, we carve it on
the column in letters imperishable and
luminous evermore.
Great Cod author Of peace and lover of
concord, we would rear no monument to
petuate resentment. or unavaiiing regret,
or fraternal discord, but we would pro-
claim to the world that only as we
maintain irviolate the rights Of the States
can we perpetuate an indestructible union
Of the States-a union founded on JUS
constitutional E
fection.
Q, Thou, who art full of pity FOR the
bereaved remember us In our freshly
awakened sorrow. as We pay this last sad
tribute to our sons who left our homes
to return no more, and who died in de
fence Of rl that was to them most dear,
committing their souls to God, and their
memories to us, who survive them. God
helping us, we Will be faithful 10 the
sacred trust. we will enshrine them anew
in our hearts; we will celebrate their
deeds in sweetest song as long as the
winds blow and waters flow, as long as
virtue and valor enkindle admiration in
all magnanimous souls.
O. Thou who has taught US to rejoice
with those who rejoice, and to weep
with those who weep, our Commonwealth
erect this monument, not for herself
alone, but for all her sister States. whose
gallant sons together locked their shields
and together fell on the bloody front of
battle. Beneath the same soil, their COM
mingled ashes rest: beneath the same
sky, bending over them like the hollow
Of Thy guardian hand. they repose. With
a veneration too high for words, with q
tenderness too deep for tears. we con-
secrate this pillar to our nnending love.
and to their eternal fame.
Blessed be the Lord. God Of Israel. from
everlasting TO everlasting. Blessed be the
Father. the Son, and the Holy Ghost.
And let all the people say, Amen.