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European government. It is this that distinguishes him from the mere wielder of the sword and places him as the brightest star in the galaxy of empire founders. With the instinct of a true warrior he had united under one scepter those many wild races, but it was with the colossal mind of a statesman that he welded them into a national confederation. Laying his hand upon the confusion and disorder of the time he "invoked the specter of departed law," and it became once more a living presence. A wave of his magic wand and the voice of anarchy was silenced. In response to his command learning and Christianity forsook the shaded cloister and came forth to instill into the hearts of that dark age the sublime truths that were in store for humanity.
The eyes of the world were upon the mighty Teuton who was gaining such a power over the West. His court was crowded with ambassadors to do him homage. The people of the far East sought his favor. Then came the great event of his life, aye the greatest event of the middle ages, Charlemagne, the barbarian warrior, was crowned by a Christian Pope with the imperial diadem of the Cæsars, and hailed as emperor by the assembled thousands. In that moment the wave of the "Teuton met the Roman." The life-blood was infused into the sluggish veins of the South. At that moment was laid the corner stone of the empire that was to be an influence in Europe for centuries. "That moment modern civilization began."
While the great emperor lived he preserved intact the empire which he had created but when the government no longer felt the magic power of his guiding hand it crumbled to decay. His institutions and his laws were trampled in the mire by his degenerate descendants. The funeral dirge of Charlemagne became the deathknell of the civilization which he had for a time revived.
Then Europe plunged into the chaotic darkness of feudalism and centuries elapsed before she again returned to view the dawning light of the new era. All that then remained, the story of the earthly greatness of Charlemagne, was the simple moss-covered slab in the old vine-covered church; but his example still lived in the minds of men. His spirit still shone as a guiding star in the midst of darkness. He had turned the tide of civilization and though it was stemmed for a time it only waited until it might again flow on with new impetus to redeem a lost world.
Oh Charlemagne, thou man of genius, mighty
master of armies, changer of the nation's destiny; thou didst perform thy mission well on earth. In the midst of disorder and anarchy thou didst rear the citadel of thy power. Thou didst build a despotism indeed, but based upon the church of God whose corner stone was Truth and whose spires did point despairing humanity to the kingdom of that loving Master who rules on high. Thy spirit was touched with the holy fire that descended in days of old to light the sacrificial altar of the praying prophet of Carmel. With the holy cross emblazoned on thy banner; the cause of all humanity thy cause, and Christ thy battle cry, white winged Victory perched upon thy sceptre and the Queen of Peace sat at thy right hand. Calumny may assail thy name and weak-minded censure be thy curse, but thy motives, oh mighty emperor, were above reproach. The path which thou didst tread with such majestic step, that it led thee to wield the sceptre of the world was bathed with no innocent blood. War was thy necessity not thy choice. If thou didst slaughter, it was to punish the enemies of Truth. If thou didst war it was in the defense of Truth. Thou was a friend of Knowledge. In an age of barbarism thou didst stand as an example of highest culture. In an age when savage cruelty dominated the hearts of men, justice and mercy tempered all thy dealings. When ignorance and superstition combined to assail Christianity's sacred castle thou didst stand as the conservator of God's law. The "Ruler of Nations" found in thee an obedient servant. The people found in thee a friend and Europe a benefactor.
When history shall have grown so old that it is no longer reckoned by epochs, and when those now living shall have long since sunk into the oblivion of a voiceless past, there will appear to the eyes of future generations three representatives of true human greatness, separated each from the other by an interval of one thousand years and standing for the three great epochs in the world's history. Turning their gaze backward through the ages first to them will appear Cæsar, the bright and consummate genius of early civilization. Then resting their eyes for a moment upon a more modern civilization they will see Washington the immortal "Father of his country," Defender of liberty. In honor of whose name will ascend the praise of millions of grateful hearts. While midway between these two and not surpassed in grandeur by either, there will appear, as the representative of the middle ages, seated upon a throne of power, clothed with royal majesty, a colossal figure. And the angel of