American manhood.
The day is not far distant when upon the fields where were fought the great battles of the
Civil War, monuments will be erected to commemorate the prowess and valor of American manhood as exhibited in those fierce struggles for principle.
On the plains of Abraham, which overlooked the city of
Quebec, was fought the last battle between the
French and English-speaking races for the mastery of this continent.
Victory crowned the
English arms under the splendid leadership of
Wolfe, despite the desperate resistance of the
French, led by the noblest heroic
Montcalm.
Both leaders fell at their posts of duty.
To-day a beautiful monument rises above the plain.
It carries no sting to the hearts of the vanquished, for it commemorates the heroism of both
Wolfe and
Montcalm, in the generous inscription: ‘Valor gave them a common death; history a common fame; and posterity a common monument.’
Inspired by the remembrance of the valor of the soldiers of
Accomac and
Northampton, their surviving comrades have erected this monument to perpetuate their fame.
Let it stand a lasting memorial of the heroic men of this sea-girt land.
Let it make known the ever blessed story of duty well performed; of steadfast valor and fortitude in the face of defeat.
For it invokes the reverential care of all who love devotion to principle; and over it I pronounce as a sentence of consecration, the beautiful epitaph which is said to mark the last resting place of the first Grenadier of
France: ‘Consecrated to virtue and courage, and put under the protection of the brave in every age and country.’
