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and go forward to the great destiny which, in virtue of the older and the later days, belongs to the co-sovereign Commonwealth of Vir- ginia.
It is in no spirit of mourning, it is with the stern joy and pride befitting this day of heroic memories, that I inaugurate these cere monies in the name of the people.
The eulogist of the dead, the orator of the day, now claims your attention. He needs no encomium from me. I present him, the companion and friend of Jackson, the reverend man of God MOSES D. HOGE.
ORATION BY REV. MOSES D. HOGE, D. D.
Were I permitted at this moment to consult my own wishes, I would bid the thunder of the cannon and the acclamations of the people announce the unveiling of the statue; and then, when with hearts beating with commingled emotions of love and grief and ad- miration, we had contemplated this last and noblest creation of the great sculptor, the ceremonies of this august hour should end.
In attempting to commence my oration, I am forcibly reminded of the faltering words with which Bossuet began his splendid eulogy on the Prince of Conde. Said he: "At the moment I open my lips to celebrate the immortal glory of the Prince of Cond6 I find myself equally overwhelmed by the greatness of the theme and the needless- ness of the task. What part of the habitable world has not heard of his victories and the wonders of his life ? Everywhere they are rehearsed. His own countrymen in extolling them can give no in- formation even to the stranger. And although I may remind you of them, yet everything I could say would be anticipated by your thoughts, and I should suffer the reproach of falling far below them."
How true is all this to-day ! Not only is every important event in the life of our illustrious chieftain familiar to you all, but what lesson to be derived from his example has not already been impressively enforced by those whose genius, patriotism and piety have qualified them to speak in terms worthy of their noble theme? And now that the statesman and soldier, who well represents the honor of Virginia as its chief magistrate, has given his warm and earnest welcome to our distinguished guests from other States and from other lands who honor this occasion by their presence, I would not venture to pro- ceed, had not the Commonwealth laid on me its command to utter
