Daily Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1840-1842, 1841-04-12
VIVA, all the pomps aud uiumphs OF our live.
n,,t lesaciea In blossom NOuS

scenes which marked the Inauguration of beloved
Chief Magistrate, how how little did we-alas how
little did any oneanlicpate that our columns would
SO soon be occupied with the particulars OF his Fu-
neral Obsequies1 IL seems, even yet, but es a
dre,m-some f,se, but odhghting vision Could
the deep solictude Of the best and the wisest men
could the fond, the sangune hopes OF innumera-
bic personal and politcal enos-could the prayers
the sincere and fervent prayers, Of multitude of
Christian people-could the undivided affection Of
almost an entire nation, have secured TO one human
being prolonged life and unmpaired health and fell
city, these would atsuredly have been the lot of
William Henry Harrison. Never, since the times
of Washington, has any one man concentrated
upon himself the love and confidence OF the Ameri-
can People; aud never, since the melancholy day
which shrouded nation in mourning for his sudden
death, has any event produced so general and so
profound n sensation of surprise and sorrow.
So brief had been the late Presidents illness, that
now as in the OF Washington, there had scarce
been time for TO begin TO fear, when the stun
ming blow of the reality fell upon like the stroke
of thunder from cloudless sky. Men looked
a-hast, and staggered, as II amazed by something
they could scarce believe. But II was true. He
who with open, beaming countenance, passed aong
streets in the Joy Of his heart-he, the welcome
the long expected, the desired, on whom all eyes
were fastened, to whom all hearts went out, who
had within him more stirring subjects OF exhilirang
consciousness than have met IN any single bosom
since Washington was crowned with wreaths as he
came back from Yorktown, was, on Wednesday
last within one month, tone little month";" borne
along that crowded avenue crowded, not as
before with jubilant People gathered from every
quarter Of the country, but with sincerely sorrow
ing multitudes following his bier. As the shouts
which then rent the air the free spontaneous
expression of the love and JOY Of freemen, delight
ing to confer their highest hono-s on one whom they
believed to have richly deserved them, so, now, the
tears which fell from the eyes of woman, the signs
and looks Of griei OF gray headed men, the general,
universal aspect of public sorrow, were the I'M
bought, the unpurchasable tribute OF n bereaved
People TO public virtue and devoted patriotism.
This was not the momentary gush Of feelings
wrought upon by the pomp and circumstance Of a
funeral procession. Ii not the sable car, the
nodding plumes the slow and mournful array-it
the event self-the loss OF such a man, at such
time, which drew forth these expressions of pub
lie feeling. They will be substantially the same in
every part Of the country. As IL here, will
be every where. When the words "the President
is dead" met the ear the man of business dropped
his pen-the artisan dropped his tools-chIldren
looked in the faces OF their parents, and wives into
the countenances of their husbands, and the wall Of
sorrow arose as if each had lost parent some
near and dear friend. Could Gen. Harrison now
look down on the land he loved, he might indeed
"read his history in Nations eyes," and those
whose bosoms glow and struggle with high purpo-
and strong desires for their countrys good, may
learn in what they now behold, wherever they turn
their eyes, how glorious a reward awaits the mem
DRY OF those who faithfully serve their country
But, while we mourn for ourselves, there is no
cause of mourning behalf of the deceased. The
ray OF his counry's gratitude, though late, shone in
full splendor on his departing hour. He had ata5
all that man Gun reach Of human honor. FEE[
spontaneously, unanimously, had his courS b
placed him n the highest seat they hsSe Z'e' b
He had done enough, during the brief Y ecu A
pied it, to show that, as he had pss< I, noIol Il
through many lesser trusts, SO fre 80 " 1il's a
last and highest trial 10 which 80 aalu pow" n
could be subjected. Asr n '',u upPortu- it
nifty do he did we'll now even bIa among his
enemies (if there be any 80 "a ~, U.s., ~, . " oMn
mat ,Tte! Wi, aomE psblc affairs as to ex
,ose bimsslS e; I'D personal enmities from the u
d,sehar.a ~ ~. Before the storm had time ri
,oso,her, fenvy, snd detracton, and party n
fosS rs hfo muster their stores of coming !,
80 -S6pour without mercy upon his head J
III hble head, siIvered with the frosts of age n
<long and arduous devotion TO his country's !;
<fce, Is gently laid on the pillow OF death. In
"a sacred sanctuary, which nothing earthly can +,
invade, he sleeps IN safety from the strife OF tongues
HIS naCle, free from the semblance OF a spot and
llustrious IN the halo ofAn imperlshable fame is =
delivered over 10 history a sacred trust, 10 be =
written on the page with that of those pure y
Istriots who, IN every age and every land, have
Ieen the tIsnterested friends of human freedom and
The beautiful union Of private excel. p
ence with public virtue has never been more win
,ingy exhibited than in the Of @ len. Harrison
His frank simplicity and freedom from all ostenta-
ion-his attachment TO his soldiers-his urbanity o
md condecenslon to men OF humble fortune his e'
hari,y to the poor-his open-hearted and open
landed hoEPaliiy-his incorrupuble honesty in u
Very pecuniary trust-hiS uniform unwaVering de- e'
oton To his country. illustrated IN his dying mo- re
nents by the expression Of his attachment to the m
Constitution, and sanctIhed by the sentiments of
PERSONAL Piey--unle TO entnle him to the nscrip- "
ION on his tomb Of THE Good President" at
THE FUNERAL CEREMONIES.
wednesday having been set apart for the solem.
tiles OF the Funeral Of the late President, some
nxiety was felt in the early part Of the morning
S to the weather, for the sky was overcast and
saTs were entertained lest should come to rain; in
ut as the day advanced these approximations were
lsspated, and though 1t continued rather cool this IN
sd but favor the march Of the troops and OF the III
theT numerous collections Of persons who formed u
ortlons Of the Funeral Procession. "
At sunrise the sound OF cannon from the seyeraI u
military stations IN the vicinity OF the city, hera ded ii
he melancholy occasion which was TO assemble o,
he citizens Of the District and It's neighborhooc and
minute guns were fired during the morning I'm OF
ntire consonanee with those mourniul sounds was OF
he aspect OF the whole city, as well its dwellings fir
$ its population. The buildings on each side Of v
he entire length OF the Pennsylvania avenue with
eareey an exception, and many houses on the con- hi
gnous streets, were hung with estoons and stream
RS oil black, not only about the signs and entrances
'ut IN many cases from all the upper stories Al d
most every private dwelling had Grape upon the d
Inocker and ell-hande Of its door, and many Of s.
he very humbleSt abodes hung out some sponta. O
eous signal of the general sorrow. The stores and
'laces Of business, such as are too freauenty
zen open on the Sabbath, were all closed Eve | n
y thing like business seemed to have been forgot e
en- and all minds 70 be occupied with the purpose VI
u the day.
The Railroad cars approaching the CITY were 81
rowded to excess although the trains were doubled
md large portion Of the passengers stood up' m
rom necessity the entire way from Baltimore htber
The steamboats, brought crowds Of people from | q
Alexandra, and the individuals entering the CITY Il
rom the adjacent country horseback and in We z
lices OF every description, seemed TO be more nu- Il
nerous than even the occasion Of the late lnau.
duration. The great point Of attraction was the v
Presidents Manson. Toward that all steps. all | h
thoughts, were tending There lay the body closed b
ia us leaden hearse, and covered with It's solemn a
pail, seated m that deep repose which nothing shall q
break but the ArchangePs trump. II lay on n bier /;
IN the East Room, tan occupation how different o
rom rs wOnt!) aud ladies' were admitted all the a
morning, who heapsd upon the coffin offerings of n
The most beautiful flowers. The northern portco c
n the Mansion was hung with long ba nners Of e
black, extending from column 10 column. The d
gates Of the enclosure front we're closed save
y hen the carriages OF the Foreign Ministers Mem. y
jers Of the Cabinet, the attending Physicians the [
Clergy, and some other privileged persons, were !
admitted, preparatory 70 their taking the places
assigned them in the Funeral Procession.
The military portion Of IL, constituting the fune-
'al escort, began 20 form 10 line the New York
venue Immediately north Of the Presidents House.
Ind a most noble and imposing appearance il pre-
'ented Without undertaking to give the exact or
dec OF OIL the detSs Of the military part Of the
procession Il must suffice for the present TO state
That Of volunteers, besides the Light Infantry Ma.
fUWn nj HIHnn nnN o.. A r ~