nd love, with promises for all the
world. Above, beyond the dogmas of his church--humane even to the verge
of heresy--causing some to doubt his love of God because he failed to
hate his unbelieving fellow-men, he labored for the welfare of mankind,
and to his work gave up his life with all his heart.

Robert G. Ingersoll.

Washington, D. C,

July 11, 1879

A TRIBUTE TO EBON C. INGERSOLL,

BY HIS BROTHER ROBERT.

MAY 31, 1879

THE RECORD OF A GENEROUS LIFE RUNS LIKE A VINE AROUND THE
MEMORY OF OUR DEAD, AND EVERY SWEET, UNSELFISH ACT IS NOW A
PERFUMED FLOWER.

Dear Friends: I am going to do that which the dead oft promised he would
do for me.

The loved and loving brother, husband, father, friend, died where
manhood's morning almost touches noon, and while the shadows still were
falling toward the west.

He had not passed on life's highway the stone that marks the highest
point; but, being weary for a moment, he lay down by the wayside, and,
using his burden for a pillow, fell into that dreamless sleep that
kisses down his eyelids still. While yet in love with life and raptured
with the world, he passed to silence and pathetic dust.

Yet, after all, it may be best, just in the happiest, sunniest hour
of all the voyage, while eager winds are kissing every sail, to dash
against the unseen rock, and in an instant hear the billows roar above a
sunken ship. For whether in mid sea or 'mong the breakers of the farther
shore, a wreck at last must mark the end of each and all. And every
life, no matter if its every hour is rich with love and every moment
jeweled with a joy, will, at its close, become a tragedy as sad and deep
and dark as can be woven of the warp and woof of mystery and death.

This brave and tender man in every storm of life was oak and rock; but
in the sunshine he was vine and flower. He was the friend of all heroic
souls. He climbed the heights, and left all superstitions far below,
while on his forehead fell the golden dawning of the grander day.

He loved the beautiful, and was with color, form, and music touched to
tears. He sided with the weak, the poor, and wronged, and lovingly
gave alms. With loyal heart and with the purest hands he faithfully
discharged all public trusts.

He was a worshipper of liberty, a friend of the oppressed. A thousand
times I have heard him quote these words: "For Justice, all place a
temple, and all season, summer." He believed that happ