Page:Southern Historical Society Papers volume 24.djvu/388

 Soul In fit Hi*tni-ic<il Sni-n-lif

a consummate orator. He was the typical Southerner of his day and of all times.

STANDS ABOVE THEM ALL.

Around him stood that marvellous group Lee, the flower of chiv- alry; Jackson, the genius of war; Toombs, the thunderer of debate; Benjamin, the jurist; Campbell, the judge; Bledsoe, the scholar; Hunter, the statesman men fit to measure with the knightliest. Yet, from the vantage ground of history, his sublime head lifts itself above them all.

It is meet and fitting that the ashes of the great souls rest in Vir- ginia's soil. Round him sleep the mighty ones who have gone before soldiers who won American liberty, jurists who gave it per- petual form, statesmen who filled its flag with stars and made it hon- orable throughout the world. Let Richmond be added to Mount Vernon, Monticello and Lexington. The South has committed the keeping of his ashes to the mother of States and statesmen. Let him sleep in Virginia, where every river whispers of Confederate heroism and every hill was crimsoned with the soldiers' blood. Let him rest in Richmond, his capital, the city which he walled about with the breasts of the bravest of the brave. His memory is safe with you. You were faithful to the living; you will not forget the dead.

In calmer years, when the last ember of sectional feeling has burned out, and the last chord of love has gently bound the hearts of all Americans together, fathers will bring their little children to this spot and tell the story of a pure, great man, who suffered for his people, and for the right, as they understood it; and how for this they loved him as they loved no other. Long as yonder noble river shall roll its tide to the sea it shall behold no man more kingly. " He was a very perfect, gentle knight." May the story of his life be sweet in days to come, and at last all men come to understand Jefferson Davis*.

THE BENEDICTION.

At the conclusion of General Lee's oration the benediction was pronounced by Bishop Cranberry, and the crowd dispersed.

Many of the old soldiers came up to the platform and shook hands with Mrs. Davis and her daughter, Mrs. Hayes. General Gordon, speaking for Mrs. Davis, said : " Comrades, Mrs. Davis says she only wishes that you all had one mouth so she could kiss it."

Captain Frank Cunningham directed the musical part of the pro- gramme, and this was one of its most attractive features.