Page:Southern Historical Society Papers volume 18.djvu/208

 208 Southern Historical Society Papers.

of sectional reconciliation and national union. He at once recog- nized that we then had but one flag, one Union, and one country; and he desired to see that flag respected, and that Union permanent, and that country glorious.

He was distinguished for the catholicity of his sentiments and the general conservatism of his nature, for the punctilious integrity of his public acts and the probity and purity of his private life. He was one of the patriots of the century, one of the soldiers of the age, and one of the men of the times. And thus it is that we have assembled for the last time to do honor to truth, to virtue and to genius as exemplified in the life and character of this eminent man the last of the great leaders of a fallen cause. If it were in my power I would take these beautiful flowers, evergreens and immortelles which the ladies have here so lovingly and sympathetically provided, and which so fittingly typefy the beauty of his life and the durability of his fame, and reach out my hand to-night and place them upon his grave, as our last tender tribute to departed worth. Life's eventful scene with him is ended. He is now where there is no more strife, no more struggle, no more booming of guns, no more fighting of battles.

The tempests may roar and the loud thunders rattle, He heeds not, he hears not, he is free from all pain ;

He sleeps his last sleep, he has fought his last battle, No sound can awake him to glory again.

Let him rest, let him rest ! "

The oration of General Gordon was received, perhaps, with better effect upon the audience than any other delivered during the ceremo- nies. General Gordon had served under Johnston in the Atlanta campaign, and as with a soldier's knowledge he reviewed those memorable scenes, his listeners were wrought to a full sensibility of the circumstances and situations, and were en rapport with the plans laid out by him who was destined never to carry them into comple- tion. General Gordon paid a glowing tribute to his dead commander of old days.

The choir then sang : "Rest, Spirit, Rest."

ADDRESS OF COLONEL CASEY YOUNG.

Colonel Casey Young said no words he could utter would add to the eloquence which had been showered upon the memory of Gen-