The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1865-04-28
The OBSEQUIES.
THE FUNERAL SERVICES AT THE
WHITE HOUSE.

WASHINGTON, April 19.-The solemn
funeral rites and obsequies of the late
President Lincoln were performed to-day
in the capital of the country. No greater
love for the memory of the illustrious dead
was ever demonstrated in the annals of
civilization.
The dawn that was ushered in by the
heavy booming of the salutes of minute
guns from the Notifications surrounding
the city, never broke purer or brighter or
clearer than on this day.
The morn that succeeded, all the day
that followed, even to the very setting of
the sun. was the loveliest of the season.
The heavens were undimmed by even one
passing cloud.
At a very early hour the people began
to assemble in the vicinity of the execu-
tive mansion, which was almost entirely
draped in Grape, as were also the build
ings, public and private, in the vicinity.
All over the city public houses and private
residences were closed. The emblems Of
mourning appeared on every cornice, and
were fastened from every window. The
inmates poured forth by thousands into the
streets, and by 10 o'clock the latter were
in many places impossible. Pennsylvania
avenue, from Wizards to the White
House, presented by noon one dense mass
of people, while the adjacent streets, for
half mile in every direction, were filled
with military companies and civil process
sions. From distance the trains were
bringing hundreds every hour; but the
great points OF attraction were the gates
leading to the White House. Those per-
sons who had not obtained tickets, hoping
to effect an entrance, were disappointed.
Every conceivable plan was put into opec.
alton to enter the Enclosure; but none sue
ceeded in doing So
Between 10 and II O'Clock the military
escort arrived and formed in line on Penn
sylvania avenue, the left resting on Fiji
teenth street. The escort consisted of two
regiments of infantry, two battalions OF
cavalry, eight pieces of artillery, and one
battalion of marines. The marines were
headed by full marine band, and the
other military companies were also accom-
panied by bands.
By IL O'Clock Pennsylvania Avenue was
lined from from street to house-top, all the
way to the White House, with thousands
of people, of all ages.
At that hour the ceremonies commenced
in the east room, where the ceiling was
draped with Grape, and where resplendent
mirrors were hung with borders composed
of emblems of mourning, while the dra-
perry gave the room dim light that added
to the sOlemnity of the mournful scene.
The spectators of the sorrowful scene
were not merely representatives of our
people in Congress and of the States, but
the Executive Officers and Cabinet Minis
tiers, the Chief Justice Of the United States
and his Associates on the Bench of that
venerated tribunal, Uhieftains who protect
our homes by service in the field and on the
ocean, the Clergy, individuals in various
positions in affairs of State and from private
life, and an imposing array of Ambassadors
with their less elevated attaches, with gor-
geous decorations.
Cards of admission to the executive
mansion were issued to the number of 600
sixty of which were to the olergymen
and twenty to the members of the press
The rest included the Governors of nearly
all the loyal States, friends Of the family,
and those mentioned already.
Not single relative, if there are any,
of the lamented President, outside of his
wife and two sons, were present. On
Mrs. Encoln's side there were Gen. Todd
and three other gentlemen. A son attain
ing manhood affectionately grieved for
loving father lost; the secretaries whose
relation had been so intimate, who had
formed o part of his household, mourned
the departure of friend; all, OF whatever
degree sOrrOwed for their chief.
Perhaps the most touching grief, which
moved all present, was that of little Thad-
deus Lincoln, the favorite son. He and
bis elder brother were the only mourners
of the family present during the funeral
solemnities.
President johnson stood beside the re.
mains of bis lamented predecessor during
the funeral grafton.
Gen. Grant stood at the head of the
corpse, while the members of the Cabinet
and exrVice-President Hamlin, were
grouped about these eminent personages.
Rev. DIR. Hal, Rector of the Church of
the Epiphany, rose and read a portion of
the Episcopalian service for the burial of
the dead, commencing, "Lord, let know
my end and the number OF my days, that
may be certified how long 7 have to
live. Behold, Thou hast made my DAYS
as it were a span long, and mine age is
even as nothing in respect to Thee; and
verify every man living is altogether
vanity"
Bishop Simpson, of the Methodist
Church, then offered prayer, in which he
fervently alluded to the emancipation pro-
clamation and other noted deeds per-
formed BY President Lincoln.
Rev. DR.. Guriey then read a funeral
Grafton. In commencing he said:
AS we stand here to-day, mourners around
this coffin, and around the lifeless remains of
our beloved Chief Magistrate, we recognize. we
adore, the sovereignty of God. His throne ia
in the heavens. and His kingdom ruleth over
all He hath done, and He hath permitted to ba
done what he pleased. Clouds and darkness
are round about Him. Righteousness and
/ til -.