Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1861-01-25
GioI)t Reaoing.

Impressive Politioo-ReIigious Ceremony
Three Defeated Candidates Taking
the Vel.
A waggi8h correspondent of the New
York Mercury thus relates an impressive
ceremony, lately participated in by several
/ de-functi0naries
A most impressive and solemn scene was
presented recently, at the Cathedral of the
Bleeding Confederacy, on tie occasion of
the taking the veil by three young gentle
men: John c. Breckenridge, of Kentucky,
John Bell, of Tennessee, and Stephen 4.
Douglas, of Illinois.
These had been the gayest of the gay;
but having learned, by bitter experience.
that this world is all Aeeting show, and
| that even the White House is only whit
ed sepulchre, they appealed very earnestly
to their mammas to be allowed the pleasure
Of retiring forever from the feeting show.
and renouncing all claims to the Yhited
! sepulchre aforesaid.
/ Which they were permitted to do
The cathedral was hung with black and
white, just now tGe very significant colors,
and when ali was IN readiness the novices
entered, preceded by Mother St. Fusion,
Superior of the Order Of Decayed Politi-
/ clans
The young gentlemen were dressed in
blue dress-coats, gilt buttoned, and lined
with white satin throughout, black troEs-
ers, white waist-coats, white neck ties, en-
broidered linen, and white kid gloves, each
bearing a beautiful boquet, principally
composed Of the Last Rose of Summer
The attire-a complete wedding costume
was greatly admired, and set off the per-
sonal attractions Of the young deyotees
most charmingly.
They took seats within the chancel in
company with several clergymen, among
whom were observed the Rev. Father Tam
many, Right Rev. Father Charles Ton,
Reverend Father Richmond, and others.
flames Buchanan, Archbishop of Lancas-
-Wheatlands, oficiated as master of
Ceremonies.
This venerable public functionary deliv-
cred an evcellent discourse from the fol
lowing text:
Il am Abraham's servant. Genesis,
a, XXXIV.
The sermon. which was rather long, did
not attract any very earnest attention frcm
the audience. The ceremony over, the
young gentlemen prostrated themselves
before the Archbishop for several minutes,
and on rising read aloud the formula used
by the Order on taking the veil
TIL ! II
as to their voluntary Remuneration Of the
feeting show and the whited sepulchre It
was observed that they answered him very
hesitatingly, and made some sour faces at
the next ceremony, which consisted in clip
ping small lock Of hair from the forehead
Of each, to typify their formal retirement
from the vanities of the world, and their
acceptance of their position in the order.
This concluded, the Postulants retired to
an ante-room for a short time, during which
the choir sang very Impressive medley Of
campaign songs.
The young gentleman now entered, hab-
tied in the costume Of the order-a long
robe of sackcloth. well sprinkled with ash
es, and trimmed with dry erusts and fish
scales; and On the head veil of tears.
]. B. then gave them his blessing, re-
marking to each in turn, You're one Of
Us now, amt you? How do you feel?"
Master John Bell (assuming the name
Of Brother Ancient Fishlike,) } said, Il am
content. The orderis highly respectable. "
Master John G. Breckenridge, (assuming
the name Of Brother Used up Early, said,
Il want to be an angel
Master Stephen 4. Douglas, (the least
Of the three, assuming the name Of Broth
er Squatter-Sovereign. said, Il want to
90 to my ma :" and burst into tears.
The ceremonies being now concluded,
the three young gentlemen who had enter
ed the church apparently 50 full of life and
hope, arrayed in the richest wedding cos
tunes, departed in the humblest habit Of
their order
Such is life ~