Courage, the highest gift, that scorns to bend
    To mean devices for a sordid end. 
    Courage, an independent spark from Heaven’s bright throne,
    By which the soul stands raised, triumphant, high, alone. 
    Great in itself, not praises of the crowd,
    Above all vice, it stoops not to be proud. 
    Courage, the mighty attribute of powers above,
    By which those great in war are great in love. 
    The spring of all brave acts is seated here,
    As falsehoods draw their sordid birth from fear.

In his friendship he was gentle and tender as one who is full of love and human sympathy.  You might have thought him better fitted for the paths of peace, and yet upon the battlefield he was brave as the bravest.  Whenever and wherever duty called him his personal safety was by him never considered.  Often have I seen him in the thickest of the fight, by his presence and personal direction cheering and encouraging both officers and men.  Though the son of the general in chief of the army, he took no favor by it.

He never took advantage of his rank to keep to the rear and send his regiments in.  You could always measure his estimate of you by the manner in which he met you.  The soul of candor, his heart shone in his eye, and placing a high estimate upon manhood, he loved all in whom he recognized it.  For about two years during the latter part of the war I served in his command, and had every opportunity to observe and know him.

My acquaintance with him here was but a revival of old memories.  I always loved him as one who—­

Spake no slander; no, nor listened to it.
* * * * *
Who reverenced his conscience as his king.

Who, if he committed an error or wronged any man, was swift to redress it; never laying his blame at another man’s door.  Who excelled in all the virtues which go to make up a beautiful private life in all the essentials of faithful friendship and truthful character; who lived—­

Thro’ all this tract of years,
Wearing the white flower of a blameless life.

Think for a moment how much better and happier every one would be if all men were earnestly to strive to live up to this high standard and how much of pain would be spared the world.  He was one of the most faithful members upon this floor; faithful to the public interest, and whenever any proposition was under consideration which specially concerned his own people, they always had in him an able advocate and strong defender.

He is gone! sincere Christian, loving husband and father, trusted friend.  The life that was given him has been taken away.  The widow and the orphan mourn, and their grief is our grief; but a merciful Father has given him more than he has taken away, and this strength and comfort through the tender mercy of our Saviour is theirs—­

     I am the resurrection, and the life, he that believeth in me,
     though he were dead, yet shall he live:  and whosoever liveth and
     believeth in me shall never die.