that in the unspeakable fragrance of Georgia's full and sweet approval he might "wrap the drapery of his couch about him and lie down to pleasant dreams." I thank God, as I stand above my buried friend, there is not one ignoble memory in all the shining pathway of his fame. In all the glorious gifts that God Almighty gave him, not one was ever bent to willing service in unworthy cause. He lived to make the world about him better. With all his splendid might he helped to build a happier, heartier, and more wholesome sentiment among his kind. And in fondness mixed with reverence I believe that the Christ of Calvary, who died for men, has given welcome sweet to one who fleshed within his person the golden spirit of the new commandment and spent his life in glorious living for his race. O brilliant and incomparable Grady! We lay for a season thy precious dust beneath the soil that bore and cherished thee, but we fling back against all our brightening skies the thoughtless speech that calls thee dead. God reigns and his purpose lives; and though thy brave lips are silent here, the seeds of this inspired eloquence will sprinkle patriots through the years to come and perpetuate thy living in a race of nobler men. If we would speak the eulogy that fills this day, let us build within this city that he loved a monument tall as his services and lasting as the place he filled. No fire that can be kindled on the altars of our speech can relume the radiant spark that perished yesterday. No blaze born in all our eulogy can burn beside the sunlight of his useful life. After all is said there can be nothing grander than such living. I have seen the light that gleamed at midnight from the headlight of some giant engine rushing onward through the darkness, heedless of danger and fearless of danger, and I thought it was grand. I have seen the light come over the eastern hills in glory, driving the lazy darkness like mist before a sea-born gale, till leaf and tree and blade of grass glittered in the myriad diamonds of the morning ray, and I thought it was grand. I have seen the lightning leap at midnight athwart the storm-swept sky, shivering over chaotic clouds, mid howling winds, till cloud and darkness and the shadow-haunted earth flashed into mid day splendor, and I knew it was grand. But the grandest thing, next to the radiance that flows from the Almighty's throne, is the light of a noble and beautiful life, wrapping itself in tender benediction round the destinies of men, and finding its home in the blessed bosom of the Everlasting God. WASHINGTON. The brave-the wise-the good. WASHINGTON Supreme in war, in council, and in peace. WASHINGTON Discreet, without fear; valiant, without ambition; confident, without presumption. WASHINGTON In disaster calm; in success moderate; in all himself. WASHINGTON The hero, the patriot, the Christian; the father of nations, the friend of mankind; who, when he had won all, renounced all; and sought, in the bosom of his family and of nature, retirement; and in the hope of religion immortality. |