neral of a young
chap who had finished with delirium tremens, and was deeply affected by
the funeral sermon of the Mackerel Chaplain, who had kindly volunteered
for the occasion.

Having shaken hands with the parents of deceased, the worthy man
commenced the service.

He said that man was born to die. He had known a number of men to die,
and believed that death was every man's lot. If our dear brother here
could speak, he would say that it was his lot. What was death, after
all, but an edict of liberty? Death was the event that set us free, and
freedom was a priceless blessing. Political demagogues pretended to
believe that certain men should be the slaves of other men, because
their skins were a little darker than the others. What a bright
argument was this! If dark skins disentitled men to freedom, he (the
speaker) could point out more than one Democrat who certainly ought to
be a slave. (Great laughter.) Freedom was plainly the condition
Providence intended for all men, without regard to color, no matter
what Tammany Hall might say to the contrary. It was because we had
permitted a violation of this condition in the cases of four millions
of fellow-beings, that this terrible war had come upon us. We could
only conquer by declaring the slaves, now and forever, FREE!
(Tumultuous and enthusiastic applause.) It was the duty of every loyal
man to see that this principle was carried out, even as they were about
to carry their departed brother out: though it must not be inferred
that he meant it should be carried out on _beer_. (Great laughter.)
When we had once settled this matter at home, we could afford to say to
John Bull and Louis Napoleon: "Interfere if you dare. We are ready for
you both." [Male parent of the deceased--"Why don't you go and fight
yourself?"] That gentleman who spoke then, is as bad as the patient who
said to the doctor who was recommending some wholesome medicine to him:
"Why don't you take it yourself, if it's good?" (Great laughter and
applause.) But he would detain them no longer, or the papers would say
that he had talked politics.

At the conclusion of this discourse, my boy, the male parent of the
deceased offered the following preamble and resolution:

WHEREAS, It has pleased an inscrutable and all-wise Providence to free
our departed brother from the bonds of life; and

WHEREAS, Freedom is the normal condition of all mankind: therefore, be
it

RESOLVED, That we will vote for no man wh