Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1841-04-16
LETTERS FROM THE METROPOLIS.
No. VIII.
New IoRK, April

New YoRE April 10, 1871.
The shadow Of Darkness and Death has
passed. over the land. The high hopes, the
warm affections and the exulting pride of Ma
ton, glorying in the fame Of their Patriot Chief
have been chilled and blasted in a moment -
TINS do we learn a lesson OF which we were
nigh forgetful,-that Nations, ike individuals,
are in the hands Of an omnipotent Ruler. Thus
hre We admcnished that not upon Man, must our
hopes for national glory and greatness be CEN
tered. Death stalks among the Nations, and the
highest as well as the mcancst, bows to his stern
behost The woes of millions are puwerless as
the despairing sigh Of a solitary heart, to stay
his hand or turn him from his onwafd way he
worketh his own will among us, and no bonds
OF Affection Of greatness or of glory can snatch
them from his embrace whom he has marked for
his victims.
The funeral obscquies Of the illustrions de-
ceased have been celebrated in every part Of
the country with sincere and heart felt sorrow
and by all classes Of our citizens without dstnc-
ton of party. The most magnificent funeral
pageant ever witnessed on the American Com
tinent was displayed in this city today. All
distinctions of party, all minor differences of
opinion and all personal feelings were thrown to
the winds and the whole mass OF our citizens
poured forth in one broad food TO do iitin. Lon
ors to the venerable and honored man who has
left the nation. 1t is estimated that at least
twenty five thousand persons joined in the pro-
cession, and at least four tunes that number
crowded the streets, public places, balconies and
windows, to catch glimpse Of the passing cere-
monies. a hasty and imperfect description may
not be without interest.
The day was dark and gloomy at sunrise all
the flags Of the ships in the harbor, on al the
Theatres, Hotels and other public places and
from many private houses, were displayed at
half-mast and heavily hung with black. About
ten O'Clock the citizens and those interested
began to gather in the Park in front of the City
Hall. At - the great fire alarm bell on the
Hall pealed forth the signal for the procession
to move. From that time till sunset all the
church and fire bells in the city toed dolefully
and minute guns were fired from the Battery,
Broadway, Bowery, Grand and Chatham streets,
through which the cortege proceeded were over
nunH III many places Win oiOSn .io'""
The military escort first began to move; it
was composed of all the military forces in this
city and Brooklyn with the volunteer companies,
in all, some 1000. Eachregiment marched with
its own commander with its banner heavily
craped, drums muffied the swords of the officers
reversed and with Grape at the hilt; and the
bands of music breathing forth slow and solemn
strains. Slowly and without disorder the dense
masses fell into the ranks; the crowd about all
the while growing more dense and the interest
of the scene becoming deeper and more alb
sorbng
The officials and high dignitaries of the land
had in the meantime gathered in the city Hail.
and now came forth to take their appropriate
places Before them, however, was borne by
twenty-iour sailors from the Constitution, TIE
Urn, the came used at the funerals Of WASH
,sGros, LAFAYETTE and IIAMILToN having
their names with that of HARRISON inscribed
upon it, surnounted by a large bronze Eagle
and covered With black velvet and cloth Of gold.
-Four companies of U. s. Marines, splcndidly
ar.ssed. followed as a guard Of Honor Then
..me a HoR,E finely caparsoned, and led by
an ,ced servant of Cen Harrison. Thirteen
-,rriaoes with wenty-six pail bearers followed,
IA .fte, hem Ey.Presdent Van Buren, with
a.r,,or .,os.tafd and B. F, Butler. The com.