Page:Southern Historical Society Papers volume 27.djvu/92

 84 Southern Historical Society Papers.

when their heroism will be proudly claimed as a part of the heritage of our country.

All that was pure and knightly all that was magnanimous and strong will yet be treasured as evidences of our country's glory.

What Englishman to-day, while recalling the heroism displayed at Naseby and Marston Moor, stops to inquire whether his forefathers fought for Parliament or King ?

AMERICAN MANHOOD.

The day is not far distant when upon the fields where were fought the great battles of the Civil War, monuments will be erected to commemorate the prowess and valor of American manhood as ex- hibited in those fierce struggles f6r principle. On the plains of Abraham, which overlooked the city of Quebec, was fought the last battle between the French and English-speaking races for the mastery of this continent. Victory crowned the English arms under the splendid leadership of Wolfe, despite the desperate resistance of the French, led by the noblest heroic Montcalm. Both leaders fell at their posts of duty. To-day a beautiful monument rises above the plain. It carries no sting to the hearts of the vanquished, for it commemorates the heroism of both Wolfe and Montcalm, in the generous inscription: " Valor gave them a common death; history a common fame; and posterity a common monument."

Inspired by the remembrance of the valor of the soldiers of Acco- mac and Northampton, their surviving comrades have erected this monument to perpetuate their fame.

Let it stand a lasting memorial of the heroic men of this sea-girt land.

Let it make known the ever blessed story of duty well performed; of steadfast valor and fortitude in the face of defeat. For it invokes the reverential care of all who love devotion to principle; and over it I pronounce as a sentence of consecration, the beautiful epitaph which is said to mark the last resting place of the first Grenadier of France: "Consecrated to virtue and courage, and put under the protection of the brave in every age and country."