Are they dead that yet speak louder than we can speak, and a more universal language? Are they dead that yet act? Are they dead that yet move upon society and inspire the people with nobler motives and more heroic patriotism?

Beecher’s series of rhetorical questions challenges the idea that death ends a person’s presence in the world. He argues that those who have left life can remain powerfully “alive” through enduring speech (their words and example), continued action (institutions, reforms, or causes they set in motion), and ongoing social influence (the way their memory shapes public feeling). The emphasis on “universal language” and “heroic patriotism” suggests a civic, moral frame: the dead—especially national exemplars—can still educate conscience, elevate motives, and animate collective courage. The passage thus treats remembrance as a form of moral continuity, where legacy becomes an active force in society rather than a static tribute.