The people's journal. (Pickens, S.C.) 1891-1903, 1899-08-03
AT HIS BROTHER'S GRAVE.
lngersoll's Grafton at tho Il HuneraI of
His Brother Twenty Years Ago.


The funeral of Hon. Eben G. Inger-
soil, brother OF the late Colonel Robert
U. lngersoll, took place at his resi-
dence ,ein In Washington, d. c., Juno 2,
1917. The ceremonies were extremely
simple, consisting merely OF viewing
the remains by relatives and friends,
and funeral Grafton by Colonel In
gersoll. a large number OF dietin-
gu1shed gentlemen were present. Soon
alter Mr.. Ingersoll began to read his
eloquent characterization Of the dead
his eyes filled with tears. He tried to
hide them behind his eyeglasses, but
he could not do IT, and iinally he bowed
his head upon the dead mans coffin in
uncomfortable grief 1t was after
some delay and the greatest efforts at
was able to finish reading his address,
which was rs follows:
MY friends, am going to do that
which the dead often promised he
would do for me. The loved and lov
Ing brother, husband, father, friend,
died where manhoOd's morning almost
touches noon, and while the shadows
still were falling toward tho west. He
had not passed on life's highway tho
stone that marks the highest point
| but being weary for d moment, he laid
down by tho wayside, and, using his
burden for pillow, fell into that
| eyelids still. While yet in love with
life and raptured with the world, he
| passed 20 silent and pathetic dust.
| Yet, after all, it may be best, just
In the happiest, sunniost hour Of all
the voyage, while eager winds are
| kissing every sail, TO dash against
the unseen rock, and in an instant
hear the billows roar sunkon ship.
For, whether in mid.sea or among
the breakers Q! the farther shore, a
wreck must mark at last the ond Of
each and all.
! And every life, no matter II its
moment jewelod with Joy, will, at
its close, become tragedy, as sad :,
and deep, and dark rs can be woven
OF tho warp and wool, Of mystery and
death. This brave and tender man in
every storm OF life was oak and rock,
but in the sunshine he WAS vine and
ower. lie was the friend OF all he
roc souls. He climbed It's heights and
left all suDerstttons far below, while
on his forehead fell the golden dawn.
Ing OF q grander day.
He loved the beautiful, and was
| with color, form and music touched to
|
with willing hand gave aims with
loyal heart and with the purest hand
he faithfully discharged all public
trusts. Ho was worshippor OF lib
erty and a friend OF the oppressed. a
thousand times have heard him quote
tho words: For justice all place q
temple and all season summer He
believed that happiness was the only
good, reason, the only torch, justice
the only worshiper, humanity the only
religion, and love the only priost.
He added to the sum Of human joy
and were every ono for whom he did
some loving service 10 bring q bios
som to his grave he would sleep to.
night beneath Wilderness Of fowers
Life Is tho narrow vale between the
cold and barren peaks of two etcrnl-
ties. We strive in vain to look be-
yond tho heights. We cry aloud, and
the only answer Ia the echo of our
wailing cry. From the voiceless lips
OF the unreplying dead there comes no
word ; but In the night Of death hope
secs a star and listening love can
hear the rustic Of a wing.
He who sleeps here, when dying,
the return Of health, whispered with
his last breath, am better now Let
us believe, in spite OF doubts and dog
mas and tcars and fears that these
dears words are true Of all the count
less dead. And now, to you who have
been chosen from among the many
men he loved to do the last sad Office
for tho dead, We give his sacred dust.
Speech cannot contain our love. There
was--there s--nO gentler, stronger,
manlier man."