The Nashville daily union. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1862-1866, 1865-04-21

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The appearance OF the escort was mo-
impressive. Two fine bands Of musi
played sad and solemn music. The sword
Of the officers were draped with Grape an
carried point downward by those on horse
|, back; and under the arm, reversed, b
those on foot. The soldiers carried thei
muskets reversed, and all stepped to tn
music with slow and heavy tread. Tn
drums, on which the roll was constan IL
played, was muffled in black. The flag
were folded aud wound in gloomy Grape
The men all wore look of seriousness
there was no talking-no appearance o
triHing-stern, sad, with gloomy brow ant
determined expression Of countenance, OF
follows those men Of bronzed and hard,
faces those heroes OF the fight, and de.
Tenders Of the nations honor. This silenr
gloom Of sorrOw-ths deep under-tone o
the rolling Of the muflsd drums-th,
mournful chords, and hoarse base of the
wailing bands Of music-the tolling OF the
minute bells-the deep reverberation of the
guns fred al measured intervals, sll &C.
companied by the cadence of the tramp
tramp, Of ten thousand feet, had an effect
on the mind impossible 10 describe. All
told Of grief-grief TOO deep for words, find
ing its expression in solemn sights and
| lugubrious sounds, that depressed the very
soul, and made it seem as if darkness, SOL
itude, and tears would be a grateful relief.
When the military had passed by, the
civic portion OF the procession appeared in
in the following order The Legislature,
| Senate and House-the Governor Of Ten
nessee, the Speakers Of the two houses, and
the chaplain Of the day-ladies in carriages
this Mayor, Council, and city officials in
carriages, with band OF music-citizens-
the ERE department IA very effective and
striking portion OF the procession) with
their engines, hose reels, and ladders drawn
by horses-Postmaster and employee
German Turn Verein-Fenian Society
Eureka Club = ITALIA Club = Agnomen
| Club-Theatrical Corps Christian Com
mission--Y Dung Mems Hebrew Benevolent
society-Jackson Lodge Of A. D. 0. H
Mesons and Odd Fellows in their regalia,
occupying the right and tho post of honor
government employees white govern
ment employees black, these two bodies
numbered several thoussndsJ -Barber's col
ored Association colored Relief Association,
two bodies Of weH-dressed, respectable
looking colorod people.
Any attempt TO number the vast array,
would have been vain-so vast was the
procession that any estimate would be the
widest guesswork. Bewildered and baf-
led in all attempts to form probable idea,
that should neither fall short Of the truth
nor appear fabulous and improbable, we
could not but think of the expression in
the Apocalypse Lo, great multitude,
which no man could number" Some no
ton may be formed Of the ever advancing
ranks Of men, by learning that the pro-
cession was one hour and forty eight min
utss IN passing given point. Such q pro-
cession Nashville never saw before, and
God forbid she should ever have a similar
reason for ever seeing such one again
The government employees, who formed
SO important a portion of the procession,
belonged to the Commissary, Quarter mas
ter's, aud Railroad Departments. The
troops all marched in order inverse to their
rank, thus throwing those of the highest
rank nearest the catafalque.
On arriving at the ground designated for
the closing services, the vast array Of mili-
tary was posted so as to form two sides of
sn immense hollow square; the third side
was flled by the government employees
and citizens; the fourth was occupied by
the artillerists aud ten pieces Of cannon.
The catafalqus was driven to the centre,
and by it Gen. Thomas, Gen. Rosseau, and
other officers, and the principal members
Of their STATS stood in line. Opposite them
the members Of the Legislature, behind
whom was drawn up various public socie-
ties the city government formed a line to
the right Of the military officers. In the
center of the square thus formed was
placed a stand for the speakers. A fine
military band standing near played solemn
sacred music. While these arrangements
were in progress, an inky black cloud ap-
preached from the southwest, and poured
down some heavy drops fora few moments,
which were followed BY gusts of wind
which blew for short time with ftful
yi0leBcs, which was very annoying for
those attempting to speak. An being ar
ranged, the Rev. Mr.. Alien mounted the
stand, ard in earnest and eloquent tones,
with much pathos besought in prayer the
blessings Of Heaven, forgiveness for our ma
tional sius, and that God would sanctify to
all the solemn aud painful justice, Divine
wisdom had wrought on the nation.
| Governor Brownlow then sscended the
stand ana explained that he could say but
little on the occasion, as he was not we'll,
had been recently subjected to fatiguing
duties, giving no time for the preparation
Of q funeral address, and the rough wind
was unfsyorable to speaking in the open
air. The President Of the United States
had fallen by the hands Of an assassin-a
wretch lost TO all emotions Of shame blind
70 the beauty Of religion steepsd 10 the
hands and chin in vice slave 70 profi-
saey-wherever he may be buried, may
the erass never grow upon his grave, ans
may his memory be accursed throughout
eternal ages. The speaker was At loss 70
guess the motive that led to the murder o
our late President. He knew there wa
hatred enough in the country to inHpirt
I he "a
madam branch Of the rebel phalsDx; th
virulsnt copperheads, and the Knights Of
the Golden Circle, be knew there were tn
unaduiierated, simon pure rebels them
selves; still he had been st lose TO find
motive for the assassination Of the Presi
dent. In Killing him and trying 10 put th
: Secretary OF State out Of the way
they were destroying those who, in tn
present hopeless crisis Of their affairs, wer
. their best friends. At the very time tn
foul act was done, the President was pre-
pairing an amnesty proclamation, invitin
, them 70 come back TO their government al
20 their country.
' But there was more in this desperate ste
! Of wicked and God-abandoned men ina
q appeared on the surfsce-there was methC
II in their madness. In the Constitution i
b. provided that in case Of the death or n
d movaI Of both the President and the VIZ
, President, the Speaker Of the lower brans
Of Congress shall discharge the Presidei
tial duties. Through late occurrences the
- is a. present no Speaker Of that branch
y Congress, ana they Thought BY taking Il
7. life Of the President, and Of the Seeretai
e Of State, they could deprive the country
Il its importsnt ofisers a. 3 time when N
. forseen difficulties in supplying a head
y the administrator existed, and that th'
b eould thus throw the country into state
anarchy to The furtheranoe Of their on
y internal sehemss. II was evident, Their
q fore, that there was more Of method tb'
! OF madness in the atrooious deed. In vie
OF the fact that some Of the Republican p
y pers had recently assaulted the policy