Page:Southern Historical Society Papers volume 13.djvu/360

 The Battle of Honey Hill. 359

honorary member of this Association, and the only one complimented with the badge which we, as active members, so fondly cherish, do we-giving expression to sentiments which are dominant in 'the breasts of thousands- cordially tender our sympathies in this the season of his declining years and multiplying infirmities, hoping that it will please a kind Providence to lengthen out his illustrious life for the joy of kindred and the further respect and honor of this age.

Verily hath his soul

"brooked the turning tide With that untaught, innate philosophy Which, be it wisdom, coldness, or deep pride, Is gall and wormwood to an enemy.

With a sedate and all enduring eye" he remains

"unbow'd beneath the ills upon him piled." Heaven grant he may never find "That life protracted, is protracted woe."

There is another not a Confederate who, stricken by a lethal disease, lingers in pain and helplessness on the brink of the dark river, calmly, despairingly, heroically awaiting the summons to join the innumerable throng which peoples the further and unknown shore. Rising grade by grade amid the shock of many battles, he won the leadership of the Federal armies. Ascending still higher, for two terms he filled the office of President of the United States. Not content with these sublime honors, he traversed seas and continents and everywhere received from the statesmen, warriors and potentates of the civilized world such tokens of respect and dis- tinguished consideration as had never before been accorded to a living American. Failing to seek dignified repose, and resting not upon the labors he had accomplished, the celebrity he had achieved, in the heart of a great city he suffered himself to be drawn into the maelstrom of speculation where he speedily encountered financial ruin and mortification most poignant. He who had wielded the supreme command of grand armies in a contest the most gigantic in the history of modern wars who had presided over the destinies of the most puissant Republic in the sisterhood of nations and con- sorted with the princes of the earth now lies trembling between life and death upon a couch of anguish and disappointment. Marvel- lous mutation in human fortune!

But, my comrades, remembering him now as the generous victor