The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1848-03-18
Correspondence of the Caledo-
MAN.
New York, March

eoery purpose URdor the hodpon:
! II time TO aCCep, and a time to laugh; time
to mourn, and a time to danco
Never, perhaps, in all our countrys history
has this proverb been more strikingly exem-
plifed, than in the scenes which have been
witnessed in this city during the two days just
brought to a close.
Yesterday was an occasion of great rejoicing
on the arrival oflour nations pride-HENRY
CLAY. TOday the hearts of half million
were bowed in grief while paying their mourn
full tribute to the memory ofthe departed AD.
ANS.
At two o'clock, yesterday p NJ, the dis.
charge of guns and the booming ofcannon an.
nounccd the arrival of Mr. Clay as the guest
of the city. As he sai}ed up the harbor and
landed on the Battery, thousands and tens of
thousands rushed. down to greet the old patri-
OF, and TO bid him welcome. With due cere-
monies he was delivered over by the commit.
tee of escort from Philadelphia to the Mayor
and Council of New York; after which a pro.
cession was formed, and Mr. Clay, in an open
barouche, preceded by military band and fol-
lowed by countless train of citizens in car
rages, on horseback, or on foot, moved up
Broadway, and, standing in his carriage, bow
ed gracefully TO the immense throngs which
lined the street, and filed the windows, and
covered the buildings, and who rent the air
with the most enthusiastic cheering. il seem.
cd more like the triumphal march of n con-
queror, than the entrance among us of a priv.
ate CIVILIAN.
And these demonstrations of JOY were shown
by al irrespective ofparly. 1t was day of
general exultation.
But how sudden the transition from gener-
al rejoicing to universal mourning This
mornings sun rose upon different scene At
an early hour were visible throughout the city
the signs and embems of grief. Flags were
streaming at half mast from. all the shipping,
from the public buildings, and from the hotels;
and the fronts Of many buildings were over
hung with Grape. The weather like that of
yesterday, baImy and spring-liAc.
At three o'clock minute guns were fired pro.
claiming the approach of Mr. Adams remains
Almost instantly the business of the day was
suspended, and the stores and shops generally
closed.
Very soon after the landing of the boat at the
Battery, an immense procession commenced
moving up Broadway; ofthe extent of which,
some idea may be formed, when we state that
it occupied nearly two hours in passing sing
le point.
Several Regiments of troops-cavary, in.
fantry,S. artllery-formed the van, and indeed
about two-thrds of the whole procession. I
cannot attempt description of the splendor
and the imposing appearance of this body of
soldiers, for my whole soul was absorbed, and
borne down to the earth, by the unutterabe,
painful rapture inspired by the mournful mu-
sic of the death march.
Interspersed along the procession were nu-
merous instrumental bands, some of which
moaned out deep and solemn dirgc which o.
overwhelmed the heart with woe, and pealed,
"Like the eternal thunders Of the deep,
Into our ears this truth"-'Thou too must diet
others, walled forth, in accents and tones the
most piteous, strain after strain of plaintive,
hopeless, heartrending music-agonizing,
- 'yearning like a god in PAIN
it seemed the very echo of nations lament
the vibration of a nations heart--a nation
bowed in anguish, and refusing to be comfort
ed, because her great one was not.
dirge was also tolled by the chimes of
odd Trinity
Immediately after the Military came the
hearse drawn by eight white horses which
were covered with black, with rich black os-
trich plumes waving over their necks, and
each horse led by mulatto groom in Turkish
costume.
The pail which overspread the bier was
trimmed with silver fringe, and bore the in
scription-"This is the last Of carth.''
Next followed in carriages, the family and
relations ofthe deceascd-the Committee of
Congress who were in charge of the remains
Henry Clay, General Gaines, Mayor Brady
Members and Ex-Members of Congress-
Governors and Ex- Governors-Foreirn Min
isters, Consuls, and other dignitares After
these came the various societies and associa-
tions-The Odd Fellows in their Regalia-Fire
men and Exempt Fremen, and other citizens.
The procession marched up Broadway to
Grand street, through Grand to the Bowery,
and down the Bowery and Chatham st. to the
Park. After depositng the body in the Gov
ernor's Room in the City Hall, prayer was
made by one of the Clergy, and one of the
military companies, was mounted as guard for
the night. volley of guns was then fired in
front of the Hall, and the crowd dispersed
Tomorrow the remains will be convened TO
Boston via New Haven and Springfield
In the procession there We're many banners
which were exceedingly appropriate was
particularly struck with the device over the