Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1895-01-02
ST VIRGINIA. WEDNESDAY, JANUARY @ 1888

senator Daniel, speaking OF Oelefai
Early's private character, said:
early was scrupulously honest, and so
prosaicly truthful that like Epaminondas
he would not allow any departure from
the accurate tact even in jest. w /
must a man do to deserve renown! once
asked disciple of bis master Confucius.
what do you call renown?" asked the
master TO be known among the nations
aud at home, replied the disciple. That
is notoriety, not true renown, answered
the sage This last consists in straight
and honest sincerity, in love ofjustice, in
knowledge of mankind and humility
"Ths is a photograph of Early if we
except humility. That word, in Chris
tian sense, denotes great and modest yir-
tue, but it often hides the fawnlng hypo-
crit; it has become, rs we accept the word
ambiguous by misuse, and Uriah Heep
has made it somewhat detestible to me-
Early was modest, but humility, unless
in this sense | cannot say he had, for he
was the proudest spirited mortal | ever
knew, the strongest willed and stoutest
hearted"
at was the instinct of Early's life to
repress and not to express his feelings
He was more than Roman. He was
Spartan. And SO be, rot TO seem. was
this mans wisdom His controversies
led some to think him quarrelsome, but
you never found Early quarreling in the
war with any but the enemy-not after
the war with any who did not first assail
him or some Confederate hero. These he
defended, and if he ever came out second
best, | am not aware of il. His cold ex
terror gave to the stranger no sign of the
warmth and tenderness of his nature
But once in my life did | ever see him
exhibit emotion. This was at the Will
derness, when Capt Robert D. Early, ad.
jutant general of Gen j. NJ. Jones's bri-
grade, was killed. He was distant kins-
man of Early, and was former school,
mate of mine. He and his noble chief
had just left our side, when a sudden as
saut was made, in which both fell. As
Early's troops were hurrying to reinforce
the assaulted lines, soldier rushed to our
side and said Captain Early is dead
Poor Robert was all the General said (;
but a tear rolled down his iron check
The next moment he was directing the
splendid charge of Gordon that saved the
day. To have wrung a tear from Early's
eye is sufficient tribute to my brave young
comrades fame. There are lofty peaks
that lift their summit to the skies capped
with eternal SHOWS, but in the hooks and
crannies of their wales, sweet waters flow
aud violets spring. They are but en-
} blems of such great natures as that Of
General Early"
Senator Daniel made contrast between
Early and the great English military
magnates, Cardian, Scarlet, Lucan, Cam
bridge, Napier and WOlseIey. He said /;
"What DO these cavalry men know of
war, compared to Forrest, Stuart, Hamp-
ton, Wheeler or the cavalry Lees? John
Bull has done the largest real estate bus
mess on the smallest piece Of land he has
conducted the largest wholesale trade on
the smallest retail capital he has stretch
ed out the longest lines with the fewest
men, and has got more military distinc-
ton for the smallest lighting than any
body else that ever lived All the fight
ing of the men | have referred TO would
not amount to a halt hour spent with Lee
or Early at Spottsyvania."
Of Early'5 death Senator Daniel said A.:
"When he died an epoch passed to its
historic niche, and the world to those who
loved him seemed colder than before
But he will come again in memorial
bronze. Lynchburg,which he saved, owes
il to herself TO build his monument there.
Richmond and Virginia, which be defend
ed, owe it to themselves to build it here.
Lee and Jackson and A. Z. Hill, yon
howizer upon your highway and yOn sem
tinel upon the hilltop viii be lonesome iii
Stuart and Early shall join them here. .
Senator Daniel closed bis address with
the following description of the funeral
of General Early:
"a beautiful site, for his grave was do
mated by the trustees Of the Spring Hill
Cemetery, an elevated spot in full view
of the mountains and bat few yards
from the point where he had his head
quarters on the field of battle when Hun
ter was defeated. The sun was sinking
behind the peaks of Otter, and shedding
its last rays over the scene as he was low
A.. Tie o-,,i iar., al tho .a 1at