to fight the battles and share the miseries of his own people; proclaiming on

the heights in front of Gettysburg that the fault of the disaster was his own;

leading charges in the crisis of combat; walking under the yoke of conquest

without a murmur of complaint; or refusing fortune to come here and train the

youth of his country in the paths of duty,--he is ever the same meek, grand,

self-sacrificing spirit. Here he exhibited qualities not less worthy and heroic

than those displayed on the broad and open theater of conflict, when the eyes of

nations watched his every action. Here in the calm repose of civil and domestic

duties, and in the trying routine of incessant tasks, he lived a life as high as

when, day by day, he marshalled and led his thin and wasting lines, and slept by

night upon the field that was to be drenched again in blood upon the morrow. And

now he has vanished from us forever. And is this all that is left of him--this

handful of dust beneath the marble stone? No! the ages answer as they rise from

the gulfs of time, where lie the wrecks of kingdoms and estates, holding up in

their hands as their only trophies, the names of those who have wrought for man

in the love and fear of God, and in love--unfearing for their fellow-men. No!

the present answers, bending by his tomb. No! the future answers as the breath

of the morning fans its radiant brow, and its soul drinks in sweet inspirations

from the lovely life of Lee. No! methinks the very heavens echo, as melt into

their depths the words of reverent love that voice the hearts of men to the

tingling stars.

 

Come we then to-day in loyal love to sanctify our memories, to purify our hopes,

to make strong all good intent by communion with the spirit of him who, being

dead yet speaketh. Come, child, in thy spotless innocence; come, woman, in thy