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Article FUNERAL ORATION ← Page 3 of 4 →
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Funeral Oration
fie is no more . No longer shall he wield the sword of justice attempered by mercy . No longer shall he preside in your councils , or lead you to the hostile field . To enter here into a minute detail ofthe services he rendered you , would be to premise that they may be obliterated from your memory —you remember them . Brethren and fellow-citizens , they cannot have been forgotten .
It was he who headed you on the day you broke down the superior phalanx of Scotch troops , at Moor ' s Creek ; and thereby preserved the cause of freedom from the deadly blow this'reinforcement would have enabled our enemies to strike . It was he who presided in the assembly of Patriots , who framed that instrumentwhich defined your rights and the authority of
, your rulers , and has secured your liberties to this day . It was he whom your united voices twice called to the supreme magistracy of this state—and it was he who , but a few days ago , still filled the chair of your Senate . If his public character affords a vast field to the panegyrist ' s fancy , his private one deserves no less attention and praise . In it we shall
always find an example worthy of imitation . Public virtue may procure a more shining reputation , but domestic virtue gives a mote solid merit . The former , when unsupported by the latter , is , in the warrior , a thirst of glory—in the civil ruler , a thirst of power . A single instance of momentary intrepidity may make a name to the chieftain ; but a continued spirit of moderation alone characterises
the virtuous individual . . Valour is a noble passion , which evinces a greatness of souk But too oft it is a vain generosity excited by ambition , and which has for its aim the mere gratification of a selfish pride ; an inconsiderate boldness justified I 13- success ; a blind ferocity which stifles the voice of humanity , and by the tears it causes to flow , and the blood of its
victims , tarnishes the laurels of the vanquisher . Domestic virtue , on the contrary , is so perfect , that it is laudable even in its excesses . It is peaceable and constant , and springs from a meekness and tenderness which regulate desire ; and giving the virtuous individual the command of his own , causes him to reign over the hearts of others . The one excites astonishment and fear ; the other commands reverence and love .
The Swede boasts of the name of Charles XII . but blesses that of Gustavus Vasa . In him , of whom the hand of death has bereft us , public and domestic virtues were ever united . Notsatisfied in watching with unremitted attention over the welfare of the community , he anxiously endeavoured to promote the felicity of its members . Blest with a complacency of disposition and equanimity of temper which
pecu liarly endeared him to his friends , he commanded respect even from his enemies . The tender sensibility of his heart was such , that he needed but to see distress , to feel it and contribute to its relief . — Deaf to the voice of interest , even in thelhie of his profession , when-
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Funeral Oration
fie is no more . No longer shall he wield the sword of justice attempered by mercy . No longer shall he preside in your councils , or lead you to the hostile field . To enter here into a minute detail ofthe services he rendered you , would be to premise that they may be obliterated from your memory —you remember them . Brethren and fellow-citizens , they cannot have been forgotten .
It was he who headed you on the day you broke down the superior phalanx of Scotch troops , at Moor ' s Creek ; and thereby preserved the cause of freedom from the deadly blow this'reinforcement would have enabled our enemies to strike . It was he who presided in the assembly of Patriots , who framed that instrumentwhich defined your rights and the authority of
, your rulers , and has secured your liberties to this day . It was he whom your united voices twice called to the supreme magistracy of this state—and it was he who , but a few days ago , still filled the chair of your Senate . If his public character affords a vast field to the panegyrist ' s fancy , his private one deserves no less attention and praise . In it we shall
always find an example worthy of imitation . Public virtue may procure a more shining reputation , but domestic virtue gives a mote solid merit . The former , when unsupported by the latter , is , in the warrior , a thirst of glory—in the civil ruler , a thirst of power . A single instance of momentary intrepidity may make a name to the chieftain ; but a continued spirit of moderation alone characterises
the virtuous individual . . Valour is a noble passion , which evinces a greatness of souk But too oft it is a vain generosity excited by ambition , and which has for its aim the mere gratification of a selfish pride ; an inconsiderate boldness justified I 13- success ; a blind ferocity which stifles the voice of humanity , and by the tears it causes to flow , and the blood of its
victims , tarnishes the laurels of the vanquisher . Domestic virtue , on the contrary , is so perfect , that it is laudable even in its excesses . It is peaceable and constant , and springs from a meekness and tenderness which regulate desire ; and giving the virtuous individual the command of his own , causes him to reign over the hearts of others . The one excites astonishment and fear ; the other commands reverence and love .
The Swede boasts of the name of Charles XII . but blesses that of Gustavus Vasa . In him , of whom the hand of death has bereft us , public and domestic virtues were ever united . Notsatisfied in watching with unremitted attention over the welfare of the community , he anxiously endeavoured to promote the felicity of its members . Blest with a complacency of disposition and equanimity of temper which
pecu liarly endeared him to his friends , he commanded respect even from his enemies . The tender sensibility of his heart was such , that he needed but to see distress , to feel it and contribute to its relief . — Deaf to the voice of interest , even in thelhie of his profession , when-