The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1850-07-13
Local Matters.

YEsTERDAy.-The mansion of the President
presented unusual scene. Its walls were
draped with the livery of wo; its halls were open
to the public gaze; the gorgeous East Room was
hung with black, and near its eastern end, upon
an elevated platform, surmounted by a sable cano
py reposed the remains Of the venerated patriot
whom nation mourns.
Thousands upon thousands Of the people of this
District, and Of tho numerous visiters now here
men, women, and childrcn-repaired TO this place
to look their last upon the features ofhim whose life
had formed bright chapter in their nations
history.
And there he lay, all pale, and silent The
swarthy hue OF his cheek had departed; his eyes
were sunken his features had become attcnuated.
He seemed the very image of softness, and gentle
ness, and tenderness. Not feature a line
upon that face bespoke the stern soldier the firm
and memorable commander.
The multitude, in thoughtlessncss and folly, came
and gazed upon that face, and it mute and 81
lent, and sorrowiu and yet, as one by one they
turned from the rose wreathed coffin, there was
sadness in each face and oftenumes a tear falling
from the eye The excitement of the throngcd
hall, and all the distracting associations around
could not dspel the solemnity that scene awokc.
Aged men came TO behold for the last time the fea-
lures Of TO whom gratitude was due; and chill
drcn we're brought, that they might tell 10 their
children the sight they had behed.
Truly great man has fallen, and the mute looks
Of deep regret and hidden are not unfrcquent
nor unvalucd tributes to his worth The pomp and
pagesntry of wo are indeed but
factions that man might play;"
but these are offerings bespeaking
"That within which passcth show"
We paused on the avenue, where a view Of the
mansion might be best obtained; and we thought the
scene had never before been 50 softly beautiful
The beams of the declining intercepted
by the foliage Of the beautiful shade trees; and the
green carpet beneath seemed darker and more
dense as II tremblcd at the breathing Of the wnd
and the white and graceful edifce appeared like
the abode Of the living and the happy. Yet, alas,
il contained the dead and the grief-sricken. Amid
the wailings of a mighty people, the great and H.
lustrious cheftain lay, all uncaring and uncon-
scious; and the sympathy Of millions could not as
suage the grief Of the bcreaved hearts within that
home. few briefdays before, and all was hope, aud
Joy, and gladncss and fond eyes looked in pride
upon the husband. father, and friend; and now n
gloom, dark impcnctrsbe, and hopeless, entwines
its drcary folds around each heart. No more TO
them will return the happy hours Of the past.
nation may gaze in pride upon the sculptured inn
age Of the departed hero, patriot and sage, but TO
the eye of love and accuoa cannot prove faith
ful portraiturc az will ever live in the sanctuary
of the heart How truthful TO these will appear the
words inscribed in graceful numbers by the gifted
poet
"Can storied urn or animated bust
Back to its mansion call the hcetiug breath?
| Can honor's voice provoke the silent dust,
Or hattcry soothe the dull cold car ofdeathP'
But il is often precious privilege TO grieve for
those we fondly love We would not invade the
privacy of that grief; yet let us not this day forget
amid all the imposing ceremonies TO be performed,
that there arc those near who will not be comforted
' Let us tread noisclessy upon the ground that is
hallowcd by the tears OF the dcsolate
To-day the sun will look down for the last time
upon the form of him who the chosen chieftain
of many millions. Tomorrow il will arise in
brightness and in splendor, and a nation of free
men will renew the energies by which they are
ever tending onward 10 greatness and TO glory;
yet never from their minds will be oblitcrated the
remembrance Of the honored dcad-ncver from their
hearts will fade tho love they bear the lamented
TAyLoR and when centuries roll by and nought re-
mains Of the present but the written story of it's
fame and the monuments of its beuehcencc, exalted
upon the scroll OF fame will live, in inpershable
u letters, the Of him whose ashes this day
deposit in the drear and silent tomb.