The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1848-03-11
From the NJ Y. Evening Post. March Q.
The Funeral Ceremony OF Yesterday.

".
was The multitude in Broadway, SO thronged the
windows with faces, crowded were the steps OF
doors. the trees the posts and every accessible perch
with SPECTATORS that seemed If the whole city had
emptied itself into Broadway. A coffin borne
through the street, containing wasted human form,
from which the soul had departed, and which they were
going lay out of sight foever yet we doubt whether
Il would be possible obtain, under any circumstances
for living man, such tokens OF respect as were yes'er
day paid to that handful OF dust.
All the infmtes of the dead seemed to be forgotten
and thought only OF his virtues his force OF charac
ter his courage, his dsdan OF indirect dealings his readl
ness TO stand the friend OF those who had no other
friends they thought Of the large endowments OF his
mind from and education, of his conscientious
diligence as public servant, and OF the long career
which had been so honoraby closed No trumpha pro-
cession in honor of signal victory, ending long
war, could have drawn together larger proportion OF
the population OF our city All classes left their employ
ments, persons OF every age and came IRON their
homes mothers brought forth their children, to see the
funeral train passed While the hearse moved slowly
through the dense OF living beings standing in pro-
found silence and between the houses hung with signals
Of mourning it seemed as i the elements themselves
the air. and the sun was shining dimy through funerea
veil of haze.
The general respect in which MIR .Adams's character
has been held has much increased of late years. The
cause doubt partly to be found in his perfect fear
essness and mistaken enacy OF purpose-for courage
and consancy, especially if united, in his with
the power OF annoyance, are sure to compel respect
even though accompanied with dislike. But il had like
wise another cause-his venerable age Say what we
may about the want of respect for age in American
ciey, the feeling OF for those whose lives
reach back to generations which gone, and who
stand vsbly the threshold of the world come,
natural instinct OF our speces-an instinct hard to sup
press and easy revive and Mr. Adams for years
example of the truth of this remark The qualities
of his character setting aside the cold severity OF his
manners, not such as to conclliae popularity; they
led him too often INTO contentious with men OF all parties,
sometimes of important and sometimes OF trivial concern,
in which he bore himself with all the heat and mpetu
osity of youthful combaant, and uttered words for
ooh aIy have hon al
gy. Notwithstanding this, when, IN his old age, he
made journey to the west, it was like triumphal
progress people of all parties came about him to do
him honor, and he, who in the highest vigor Of his
bodily faculties, and while he held the highest office in
the republic, with all its patronage, had never received
ssa Of Sy hs seoU he
arms and borne from place to place, amid the warmest
demonstrations of public enthusiasm.
We very that the respectful reception which
Mr. Clay received here on Tuesday had something of
the element in it, and that like degree OF atten-
ton from all classes OF people, like general welcome
from all citizens, would not have been extended to
young man. whatever might be his talents Ind services
to Mr. Clay himself, at an earlier period OF his life,
though he had done more to merit at the hands OF the
people.
la year SINCE seemed to have extDgushed all the ami
mostes and preudces of which he was the object; it
did away with the feeling of dislike, while that of re-
spect remained II made the transition easy that uni
versa desire which is felt TO pay public hons to his
mains, and to cherish his memory.
Some things occurred yesterday which show how
substantial is that fame which seems the widest Few
men better known TO the public than Mr.. Adams
few spoken of not many of whose personal history
much matter of conversation Yet, in very we'll
yesterday lady heard to ask whether he
old man and another, in reply to question concern
ing the place of his family residence said that she be-
eved he belonged to Connecticut. Ii had any doubt
before of the utility of such public ceremonies took
place Yesterday this enough disspae them They
waken certain class- is not large class, we hope
inquire into matters of public concern, of which they
might otherwise never be induced to inform themselves.
THE ADAMS OBsEaUIEs IN NEW YoRK-The New York
Courier and Enquirer Of yesterday says:
The reception Of the remains of John Quincy Adam.
took place yesterday IN pursuance OF the announcements
which had been made AT an early hour IN the morn
ing, the hustle in the Streets the music of bands, ht
gathering OF societies. and parading OF the military an
nounced that something unusual was at hand At noon
the sidewalks OF Broadway, Grand street, the Bowery
and Chatham street, through which the procession wa
to pass, were crowded with Spectators while every win
dow occupied, and the roofs of the houses even
were filled with numbers OF PERSONS anxious to view tn
scene. The remains of Mr.. Adams expected TO ar
rive at about two o'clock but did not reach the pier unit
past three o'clock, when the procession put in mo
ton, the first portion consisting OF the military, who hat
turned out in large force, and looked remarkably well
some of them in high state OF discipline. The military
marched in platooDs, and numerous that they
were about quarters of hour in passing gver
point Following the military the hearse contain
the corpse, which was escorted by the Light Guards
The hearse drawn by eight white horses, each horse
attended by groom in Turkish costume, and the
hearse, in silver letters the WORDS This is Mt
End of EARTH" After the hearse followed carriages
containing the committee OF thirty members of Congress
the council, Henry Clay, General Gaines, anG
many others; and then came the civil societies, which
turned out in strong force and looking remarkably well
The procession moved up Broadway and along the
route designated the line of which, many of the prn
cipal northumberland the Astor House, Stewards
marble store, Seaman & Muirs and others-were hung
mourning while nearly all the stores closed du
ring the passage of the procession On the head of the
procession arriving at the City Hall, the military halted
and formed in order allow the hearse to pass and the
body then taken from it, and conveyed to the gov
ernor's room in the City Hail. where was deposited
and the congressional committee and the members OF the
corporation, clergy and others, having followed it, the
Rev Mr. Ferris offered up eloquent prayer invoking
the blessings of Heaven upon the rect of the de-
ceased and praying that his life and example may be OF
advantage to the councils OF the nation whose midst he
died The Rev Mr. Schoonmaker then gave the benc-
dicon; and the National Guards who drawn up in
front of the hail. fired three voleys, when the spectators
dispersed leaving the corpse under the OF guard OF
honor consisting of Capt Shumway's company No. s.
National Guards, until this morning. when it will be
veyed to Boston
THIS Morning will be opened, direct from New
l. York, at G. w. PhilIip~'s Cash Store
New silks, cashmeres, alpacas &C., among which are
10 pieces rich changeable brocade silks
do do armure do
Is do do Pout de Sole silks