The Potter journal. [volume] (Coudersport, Pa.) 1857-1872, 1866-02-20
Celebration Of Lincoln's Birthday.
WASHINGTON, Feb. L, '66.

WASHINGTON, Feb. II, '66.
The flags over the Public Buildings,
including the Capitol, are at half mast to-
day. At ten o'clock the doors leading to
the rotunda of the Capitol were open to
those to whom invitations had been ex-
tended by the presiding officers of the two
houses, and to those holding tickets cf ad-
mission to- the galleries, issued by the chair
man of the joint committee of arrange
ments. The hall of the House Of Repre-
seutatives was opened for the admission
of Representatives and those to whom
Invitations had been extended before be-
ing conducted to the seats assigned to-
them.
The President of the United States
was seated in front of the Speakers table.
The Chief Justice and associate justices
of the Supreme Court of the United
States occupied seats next to the Presi-
dent, and on the right of the Speakers
table. The heads of Departments, with
the Diplomatic Corps, occupied seats next
to the President, on the left of the Speak
er's table Officers of the army and navy,
who by name have received the thanks
of Congress, occupied seats next to rhe
Supreme Court.
On the right of the Speakers table,
representatives occupied seats on either
side of the hall, in the rear of those in
vited. -Four rows on either side of the
main aisles, for Senators, in addition to
those above mentioned, were the assistant
Heads of the Departments, Governors of
States and Territories, the Mayors of
Washington and Georgetown, the Chief
Justices and Judges of the Court of
the District of Columbia, the head of bu,
reaus in the departments, and others.
When Lieut. General Grant entered
the gallery with the ladies, he was greeted
with applause.
The army and navy officers were in
uniform. The diplomatic Corps appeared
in citizens dress.
Gen. B. T. Butler, on entering the
Hall, was applauded by bis friends.
The House was called to order at twelve
o'clock by the Speaker, who, after prayer
by the Rev. Mr.. BoyDton, laid before
them a letter from Secretary Seward,
addressed to the Speaker, making his
Acknowledgements for the invitation to be
present on this occasion, but sincerely
regretting that the state of his health
forbids his attendance on the interesting
national ceremonies. The Cabinet, ex-
cepting Mr. Seward, were present.
Senator Doolittle conducted the orator
Of the day 10 a seat at the table of the
clerk of the House. When the Senators,
the President and his Cabinet and the
Supreme Court entered the Hall those
on the floor rose to their feet and stood
until they were all seated. Every seat
in the Hall was occupied. The scene
was brilliant and imposing, and apart
from the solemn occasion, it was interest
ing from the fact that here were repre-
sented all branches of the General and
State Governments, with the ministers
from foreign governments, these aud
thousands of others meeting and paying
their tributes to the memory of the illus
trious dead. The Marine Band in the
rear of the reporters gallery, performed
solemn air from the opera of La Ira
vatore, when DR.. Boynton, the Chaplain
of the House, delivered prayer. Hon.
Lafayette s. Foster, President of the Sen
ate pro tenn, calls the House to order in
few pertinent remarks. He introduced
the Hon George Bancroft, who delivered
the memorial address.
The steamer st Nicholas, with 500