This is an occasion without precedent in the history of Macon. Never before have its people given such tribute to the memory of a private citizen. But when has such a private citizen lived, when has such a one died in Georgia? In speaking of my dear, dead friend I trust I do not pass the bounds of exact and proper statement when I say that there was not within the limits of these United States any man unburdened by office, unadorned by the insignia of triumphs in the fields of war, or the arena of politics, whose death would have been so generally deplored as is that of Henry W. Grady. It will be our privilege and pleasure to hear testimony of his genius and his virtues from the representatives of five organizations; the Press, the Chamber of Commerce of Macon, the resident alumni of the State University, the City Government, and the Chi Phi Fraternity. Each of these has good reason to honor the memory of Henry Grady. The press can fashion no eulogy richer than his desert, for his was the most illustrious pen that has flashed in Southern journalism during this generation. The Chamber of Commerce cannot accord him too much praise, for, though himself unskilled in the science of trade, he was the chief promoter of public enterprise in his city and set an example worthy the emulation of any man whose ambition looks to the promotion of commercial and industrial progress. Surely the Alumni of the State University should honor him, for he was the most famous man who has left the classic halls of Athens in many a year. It is well that the City Government joins in this general tribute to the lamented dead. He led his own city to high ideals and to large achievements. He preached the gospel of liberality as well as the creed of progress. While his devotion to his own city was supreme, from his lips there fell no word of scorn or malice for any other community. Let us emulate the catholicity of his patriotism. Atlanta was its central force and fire, but it extended to all Georgia, to all these States and, passing beyond the boundaries of his own county, was transformed into a love for all mankind. The Chi Phi Fraternity had much cause to love Henry Grady. Only those of us who know the full meaning of the mystic bonds of that brotherhood can appreciate the ardor and enthusiasm of his devotion to it. There was that in him which was nobler and worthier of commemoration than even his radiant genius. Powerful as he was with the pen, persuasive as he was in his masterful control of the witchery of eloquence, fascinating as was his personality, he had a still better claim to honor than could be founded on these distinctions. After all, the best fame is that which, though not sought, is won by goodness, charity, and brotherly love. Leigh Hunt’s Abou Ben Adhem is lovelier than the mightiest of the Moorish Kings. Henry Grady concerned himself to do good unto others. He kindled the fire on cold hearth stones, he cared for the sick and the forsaken, he visited the prisoner, he carried consolation to the desolate. His works of mercy, tenderness, and love do live after him, and they are the crowning beauty of his work in this world. The tear of gratitude that trickles down the cheek of the orphan is a purer jewel than ever sparkled in the crown of political fame. The simple thanks of the friendless and oppressed make sweeter music to the soul than the applause of senates. These priceless rewards were showered upon him in recognition of many an untold deed of charity and grace. His life has been concluded when, according to human wisdom, it seemed most desirable that he should linger among the walks of men. Silence has set its seal on his eloquent lips when their words seemed sweetest. His great, tender heart has been hushed forever, when from the life it quickened there were going forth influences of large and increasing beneficence.
Capt. J. L. Hardeman was then introduced, and he read the following resolutions framed by the committee from the meeting of the various bodies held last Tuesday:
RESOLUTIONS.
The death of Henry Grady is a great blow to the hopes of the South. He had become one of the foremost men of the day in her behalf. His leadership was as unique as it was controlling. He held no office, he sought no preferment, and yet he was a leader. History furnishes but few examples like this, none that can excel him in the sublime usefulness of his career. His patriotism was so lofty that one cannot measure it by the standards of the hour. His soul was filled to running over with a deep love for his people and the sufferings they had endured, and those to which fanaticism might expose them. This love was his inspiration. It moved, it commanded the largest exercise of his versatile genius under an infinite variety of circumstances. And in all of these, whether as editor, writer, orator or citizen, he buried far out of sight every consideration of self and wrought for the people’s good. And his work was on a plane as exalted as his highest aspirations. No taint of gain ever touched his hand; no surrender of principle ever marred the colors of the banner he bore. What though in a passing moment he may have differed with others upon minor matters, yet in all the great and burning questions which so vitally concern the people of the South and of the Union, he was abreast and ahead of nearly all others. In his life every element of success was materialized, an energy as untiring as the tides of the sea; a courage like the eagle’s that gazes with eye undimmed upon the glare of the noonday sun; a genius so comprehensive that it grasped with equal facility the smallest detail and the broadest of human issues, and above all, a patriotism pure, heroic, unsectional, drawing its inspiration from the sacred fountain head of American liberty, and spreading its benign influence wherever the Constitution is obeyed and the rights of mankind respected. And thus he worked in the fore front till death overtook him. In this hour of mourning, how heavily do we feel his loss. The great purpose of life was just planned out. The certainty of its fulfillment could rest alone with him. To lead his people onward and upward through all the harassing difficulties which beset them to the full fruition of constitutional liberty in its widest meaning, was his purpose. Not alone by his splendid oratory did he seek to attain this end; to this end he devoted his pen as an editor, and to this end he also devoted those beautiful traits of his private character, which made him loved by all who knew him. His unfinished work is yet to be accomplished. The young Moses of the Southland is gone, and may the people not wander from his teachings. The people of Macon assembled to do honor to the illustrious dead
Resolve, That in the death of Henry W. Grady, the State of Georgia has lost one of her noblest sons, the Union a man who was a patriotic lover of constitutional liberty.
Resolve, That in the death of Henry W. Grady, the city of Atlanta has been deprived of a noble, energetic and unselfish citizen, who was devoted to her interests.
Resolve, That we tender our sympathies as a people to the family of the deceased, and that a copy of these resolutions be forwarded to them.
John L. Hardeman, }
W. W. Collins, } Committee.