The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1913-10-26

1
non and the acclamatlons Of tho nco.
! PIE announce tho unveiling of the
| statue; and then, when, with hearts
beating with commingled emotions OF
love and GRIEF and admiration. we had
contemplated this last and noblest Gre
ation or tho genius Of the great sculp
tor the ceremonies Of this august hour
| should end.
cannot reDress an emotion OF awe
! as vainly attempt to overlook the
| mighty thronR, extending az II does
beyond the limits of these Capitol
grounds. and covering spaces which
| cannot even be reached by the eye of
| mo speaker. More impressive Is this
| assemblage of citizens and rcprcsen-
tatives from all parts Of our own and
| or Foreign lands, than ever gathered
on the banks of the ancient Alpheus
| At one OF the solcmnities which united
The men of all the Grecian states and
| attracted strangers from tho most dist
ant countries. There was indeed one
! pleasing feature in the old Hellenic
| festivals. The entire territory around
| olympia was consecrated to peace dur
| ing their celebration. and there even
enemies might meet as friends and
! brothers. and in harmony rejoice In
| their ancestral glories and national
| renown. IT is so with us to-day. But
| how deficient in moral interest was
]
| in one feature which gives grace to
j our solemnity. No citizen no stranger.
however honorcd, was permitted to
| bring With him either mother. wife or
| daughter. but here to-day how many
| OF the noble women Of tho land of
! whom tho tabled Alcestis and Antigone
! and lphigcnia were but the imperfect
types. lend the charm OF their presence
| 10 tho scene-Christan women OF
| nobler civilization than pagan antiqui.
| ~ ever knew.
In the country where all that is
| mortal OF this great hero sleeps there
Is natural bridge of rock whose
| massive arch, fashioned with grace by
the hand of God springs lightly to.
wards the sky. spanning n chasm into
whose awful depths tho bcholder looks
| down. bewildered and awcstruck That
bridge So among tho cliffs what Nj
. agara Ia among tho waters-a visible
expression OF subl!mity--a glimpse Of
Gods great strength and power But
It's grandeur IS not diminished because
tender vines Chamber over It's gigan-
! Tic piers. because sweet-scented
howers nestle in It's crevices and
| warmly color IT'S cold gray columns
| Nor Is the granite strength of our
, dead chieftains character weakened
| because In every throb of his heart
there was pulsation so inefrably and
exqu!siteiy tender as TO liken him even
amid the horrors Of war 10 the altar
or pity. which ancient mythology
reared among tho shrines Of strong
and avenging deities
do not agree with those who
ascribe ell that was admirable in tho
Character OF Jackson and all that was
splendid in his career. to his religious
| faith. Hc was distinguished before
iaith became an element In his life
and even after Ills faith attained its
fullest development II did not secure
the triumph OF the cause 10 which his
life was a sacrifice.
But this say. that his piety height
tned every virtue gave direction and
force TO every blow he struck for that
cause and then consecra ton to tho
shcrihce when he laid down his life on
the altar OF his countrys liberties"
Eloquent Peroration.
The gifted speaker closed with these
words: "A cloud of witnesses encory-
pass US The bronze figures on these
monuments seem for the moment to
be replaced by the spirits of the i'm
mortal men whose names they bear.
AS II an angel spoke. their tones thrill
our hearts First, 1t Is the calm voice
OF Washington that we hear: OF all
Tho dispositions and habits which lead
10 political prosperity, religion and
morality arc indispensable supports
In vain would that man claim the tri-
hute OF patriotism who should labor
To subvert these great pillars OF
human happiness. these hrmest props
OF the duties OF men and citizens
Then Hcnry's clarion notes arouse
Is; Liberty! the greatest OF all Garth
ly biesainss-give us that precious
Jewel and you may take all the rest
Ihen Jefferson speaks: Fellow citi-
zens, it is proper you should under
stand what l deem the essential prin-
c'pies or government Equal and ex-
act Justice to all men, of whatsoever
state or persuasion, religious or politl-
chi The support OF State governments
III all their rights as the surest bull
warks against antirepublican tenden-
cies' The preservation OF the general
government In Its whole constitutional
vigor as the sheet anchor OF our peace
at nome and safety abroad: the SUI
premacy Of the civil over military an
thority; the honest payment OF our
debts, and sacred preservation of the
public faith. And should we wander
from these principles in moments OF
error and alarm. let Us hasten to re-
trace our steps, and to regain the road
which alone leads 10 peace. liberty and
safety
And last, 1t is Jacksons clear. ring
ing tone TO which we listen: What is
hke without honor? Degradation is
worse than death. We must think of
the living, and OF those who are to
come after us. and that by Gods
blessing we transmit to them tho free
dom we have enjoyed
Heaven hear the prayer OF our dead.
our immortal hero"
Newspaper Comments.
General D. II. Hill. IN the Southern
Home. said There was one notice
able and most gratifying feature con-
hectod with the grand ana imposing
ceremonies. There was not n drunken
or disorderly man among the seventy
hVe or one hundred thousand present
on the great occasion. There was not
rude or unmannerly thing done
/ Everything was conducted with de-
corum, proprety and soIemnity There
was not an unseemly occurrence to be
remembered afterward with regret
Nowhere out of Virginia can there be
such pageant with such gracious and
u