The Washington weekly post., 1899-07-25
Funeral and Interment.
Sketch of His Career.

Robert Green lngerSoll, orator, agnoStic,
soldier, and lawyer, enjoyed reputation
and peculiar distinction that was world
wide, and marked him as one of the fore
most men of America of the nineteenth
century. Son of a Congregational minis
ter, his fame arose largely from the radi-
cal views which ne held and so forcibly
expressed in contradiction to his fathers
faith He was born in Dresden n. Y,
August II, 1893, but the greater portion Of
his boyhood was spent in Wisconsin and
Illinois in the towns where his father had
pastoral charges. 1t was in the latter
State where the son grew to manhood.
1t is said that his parents would have
been glad to have him enter the ministry
and follow in the footsteps of his father,
but at such an early age did he develop
thought in antagonism TO the religion OF
the day that the idea of his becoming a
preacher was soon abandoned. The elder
Ingersoll held very advanced views, which
frequently brought him into discussions
with his parishioners, and this seed Of
skepticism took deep root in Robert, and
was steadily cultivated.
The law seemed to be the vocation for
which ne was fitted. He entered upon its
study with determination, was admitted
to the bar in ShawneetOwn, H., and en-
| tered into practice with his brother Eben,
who was afterward elected TO Congress
from one of the Illinois districts. In 1857
Ingersoll removed to Peoria where his
| fame as an orator and lawyer began to
develop In 1859 he was the Democratic
candidate for Congress from his district,
! but owing to the clouds which hovered
over Democracy at that time he was de-
Tal vTaC ul Qr6Td da-n Fnr VE
| Democratic nomination for Governor of
| Illinois, but another was selected. The
war came on. and Ingersoll, always an
ardent abOlitionist and exponent OF free
dom. abandoned politics. and I'm 1852 raised
| the Eleventh Illinois Regiment, and was
commissioned its Colonel He saw cOnsid-
| cradle active service, but owing to his
natural adherence TO shooting and killing
men, against which his kindly nature re-
belled. he resigned his commission before
the close OF the struggle. and returned 70
the practice of his profession. Again en-
tering politics, he was made Attorney
General OF Illinois in 1866
speech Nominating Blaine.
Col. Ingersollis reputation as an orator.
an agnostic, and a lawyer took rapid
bounds during the next ten years. His
| lectures attracted wide attention. While
his attacks upon the dogmas and super
stitions Of the religion Of the day made
for him a name which will be long re-
membered, nothing did more TO gain him
| popIlarity than his famous speech nomi-
rating Hon James G. Blaine as the Re
publican candidate for President OF June
| IL 1876 at the National Convention in
| Cincinnati. This remarkable outburst Of
! oratory eulogistie of Blaine has been des-
/ ispsted as the "Piumed Knight" speech
because Ingersoll referred 10 that states
man. who, like plumed knight. marched
down the halls Of the American Congress
and threw his shining shield upon that
august assembly. For the Republican
! Party to desert such a man would be like
| a great army deserting its General In bat
| tie"
| IngersoIPs change from the Democratic
/ Party TO the Republican occurred short
/ ly after he came out of the war. He did
/ great service for the Republicans IN the
| campaign Of 1876. although Blaine was not
Nominated and in 1877 President Hayes
/ rendered him the mission 10 Germany. but
! Col IEgersoll declined to accept f.
Eis Legal Achievements.
Col Ingersolrs law practice became so
e>tersive that he removed 10 New York
| He figured in some Of the largest cases
| in the country. He was connected with
| the famous star route cases which were
| tried in Washington. With him was as
ISOLATED Judge Jere ". Wilson, Of the
| District bar. But Col Ingsrsoiis chief
claim upon notoriety viii be his utter
anoes regarding Christianity. He only
| claimed TO be an agnostic, one who did
not know. bat al the same lime he held
| up 70 ridleule the creeds OF the churches
ana the superstitIons OF religion and
turned upon their supporters the thunder
/ ing batteries of his eloquence and con-
vipcing logic.
4 In his early youth he was . deep student