Page:Southern Historical Society Papers volume 18.djvu/217

 Major-freneral Stephen D. Ramseur. 217

as before to the council chamber and the halls of debate, until the mind of God shall be further disclosed in the future fortunes of our people.

The practical lesson taught us to-night has already been set before our eyes in the example of our great leaders who now sleep in death. They instantly accepted the will of Jehovah in the defeat of their arms ; and, without a murmur of discontent, turned to the civil duty of building up all the interests of our common country. Let us imi- tate their example, and with them sleep at last under the benediction of a land restored to peace. My fervent prayer for you, and for all who share with us the memories of the eventful past, is that we may sit down together in the kingdom which cannot be moved, and unite in the eternal song: " Alleluliah, for the Lord God omnipotent reigneth."

MAJOR-GENERAL STEPHEN D. RAMSEUR: HIS LIFE AND CHARACTER.

An Address before the Ladies' Memorial Association of Raleigh, North Carolina, May jolh, 1891.

BY HON. WILLIAM R. Cox.

MR. PRESIDENT, LADIES AND GENTLEMEN:

When Xerxes looked upon the countless hosts of Persia, he is said to have wept when he reflected that within one hundred years from that time not one of those then in his presence would be living. It is with similar emotions every survivor of the war between the States must be moved, when called upon to pass in review and com- ment upon the heroic deeds and still more heroic sufferings, of those who participated in that fierce and unrelenting conflict.

It is now over a quarter of a century since the last hostile gun of the war was fired; the laws are everywhere respected and obeyed; and every citizen, irrespective of section or service, recognizes it as its first duty to march to the defence of his government, whenever menaced by foes either from within or without.