The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1841-04-09
THE FUNERAL.

MES OF wednesday were tribute TO his memo
ny Of far superior value. In the former, the mo-
tves of some may have been suspected-n the
latter, the multitude in their solemn and silent
movements, and in their fearful eyes, expressed
feeling, so deep and holy and peculiar, that
even hypocrisy could not affect it. To the one,
the multitude came cheering the advent to pow
er, and to participate if possible, in the glories
of the rising sun-in the other, the multitude
came to follow to the tomb the corpse Of a
man, no longer possessing authority, but as un-
available to them as the dust under their feet
To the one they came with gorgeous banners
and exulting voices-with music and with dane
ing-to the other, they came dressed in the ha-
biliments of mourning, with banners fuIled-
with muffied drums, and every insignia Of grief.
AT the one, they crowned head with the
highest civic wreath-at the other, they cast
flowers upon sepulchre. Attic first, they saw
the height of human grandeur and earthly glo-
ry-at the last, they Were witnesses Of the in
stability and the vanity Of the power and great
ness Of man, and the insufficiency of all earthly
hopes. They furnished the proof however that
no ordinary man had come and departed Ifthe
people indicated justice and virtue in the eleva
ton of General Harrison, they proved their sim
cerity by their tears at his tomb.
The day assigned for the funeral was as aus
picious as could have been desired. At sunrise
federal salute of 26 guns, fred at the several
military stations in the vicinity of Washington,
announced the beginning of the solemn ceremo-
MES at hand, AS the day advanced the streets
began to fill with the people and strangers, most
of them wearing some badge of mourning. The
stores and places Of business were closed, and
festoons of Grape and black muslin were sus-
pended on the buildings throughout the main
avenue. On one or two Of the Engine houses
the mourning dress was so tastefully arranged
as to attract particular notice and, in two places
we observed the last words of the lamented
President, printed in large letters, on white
ground, with deep margins Of black SIR,
WISH you TO UNDERSTAND THE TRUE PRINCIPLES
OF THE GOVERNMENT. | WISH THEM CARRIED
OUT. ASK NOTHING MORE" The whole avenue
presented scene of gloom such we had
never before conceived of. Emotions of sorrow
which seemed to affect so many, through the
natural sympathies of our nature, reached all.
Early in the forenoon the military companies,
began to congregate in front of the Presidents
house, whittier the marshals Of the day had
early repaired. AT ii O'Clock the doors OF the
Executive mansion were opened for the admis-
sion of Heads of Departments, Foreign Minis
tiers. the Ex- Cabinet, ladies', and all those desig
mated in the published programme 'from civic
procession, down TO auditors and commissioners,
inclusive" The corpse was placed in the cen
tire of the East Room, and the mourners and
members Of the Cabinet, and great number OF
other persons, took last look of the departed
hero, before the rooms became full AT about
II O'Clock the clergy of the District, OF all de-
nominations, entered and soon after the rela-
tves of the family, President TYLER, and the
Cabinet, and several members of the Ex-Cabl-
net the pail bearers, the foreign ministers, and
their secretaries, in splendid uniform, and offi-
GERS Of the Government, members OF Congress,
and others, forming large, numerous, and dis
tinguished circle, mostly seated around the body
Of the deceased The Rev. Mr.. HAwLEY, of St
Johns Church, performed the religious services,
according to the usage of the Episcopal church,
in which Gen. Harrison had been accustomed to
worship beginning with, II am the resurrection
and the life,' &C. In the course of few re-
marks made by Mr.. Hawley, he noticed one or
two things which, he said were interesting to
the Christian az well as to the Patriot. The
day after his Inauguration he called at book
store, on the avenue and purchased bible and
prayer book, which he placed In his bedroom,
where he had since kept them for daily use.
His practice was to read them, and to engage in
PRAYER before retiring in the evening" and when
he rose in the morning. He had expressed his
regret, before his death, that he had not become
a regular member (communicanD of the church.
lie attributed TO the deceased a very excellent
character. His death was resigned and peace
full
After the remarks and prayer by the Rev.
Clergyman, the corpse was removed by body
of marines from the east room, and placed on
the funeral car outside. BY this time the Execu-
tive mansion had become well filled with peo-
pie the avenues in front were crowded with the
military companies, associations, &c.
At.12 O'Clock the minute guns recommended
their firing from the north of the Presidents
square, and other places, the bells began 10 toll,
and the procession began to move, in the order
directed by the programme of the AdJutant
General published in our last paper
The military escort at the head of the process
sion formed most imposing sight. Their ban
ners were furled, and dressed in mourning, their
drums were mufiied, and the music accompany
ing them exchanged their martial notes Tor so
lemn and plaintive airs.