Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1869-09-21
For the Spectator.
A National Funeral.
WASHINGTON D. {

vfvre!t as. w WASHlNGTON ~. w., ,Cept. Stn.
The late Secretary of War, whose death the
wires announced but few days ago, has been
honored with national funeral and at an es
timated cost to the Government of 800, O0O.-
This estimate includes the loss sustained by
closing the various Departments-by freeing
Government employees in every capacity,
from duty, mostly for several days; by the
transportation of the military from Fortress
Monroe, etc. s4sz554
1t is right that the dead should be honored,
and if 1t Is thought best to award the highest
funeral honors to deceased official in high
place. let it be SO. But let it be done with re-
spect to the dead and dignity to the Govern
ment.
From the War Department to the Congress
sional Cemetery the procession traversed dis
tance OF between four and five miles. 1t was a
grand display and the eyes of thousands gazed
upon it.
Without entering into details, your cores
pondent will merely notice a few things which
met his eye, and thence occurred to his mind
as not sustaining In any great degree our
vaunted name and fame as the greatest nation
Of the earth.
The marines, leading the procession, pre-
sented gaudy appearance so far as dress is
concerned, but as to discipline, from the fire.
quent turnings and backward-steppings, and
sword wayings and rightings OF the officers,
presented much the appearance OF being on
drill s4 g
| The infantry, speaking upon fact and not up
on theory, could neither right dress nor
dress right; and as to the step military it was
''as the patter of the rain upon the root. "
/ The cavalry made an disappearance, being
dressed sloveny, and lacking altogether that
cavalier bearing for which the peace establish
ments of Europe are so famous
The artillery was an honor to the OCCASION
But Of that part of the procession on wheels,
what. shall | say? 1t was got up for the most
part by contract, no doubt, and like every other
Government contract, filled the pockets Of the
lucky contractors. ai HiseL
A very small ordinary hearse, bearing very
fine coffin and drawn by six noble grays, did
not look exactly CONNIE a Jaut. But the six
sable Africans in sable livery, holding the sable
ribbons of the six crape-covered grays may
have atOned for all that was in bad taste, had
there not been seated by the side of the sable
liveried driver, an ordinary town lOaier in yel-
| low plush and an old straw hat, apparently RI
ding for pleasure and feeling honored thereby.
But hurrying back along that long line Of
hundreds of carriages, hacks, busses, chaises,
ETC., etc., the whole was complete melee: nc
| Order-no ceremony-no honor. Crowded a.
llongsde the carriages of foreign ministers We're
wretched looking vehicles driven by wretched
looking drivers, and drawn by horses which
| were taata pellem ct ossa. Again, finer look
ing conveyances were filed with those who may
be rightly termed the scum Of the city, men
| and women, but who seemed to heartily enjoy
and turn to the best account the free ride given
| by the Government. And to it all, the pro-
cesson was accompanied by empty hacks and
| carriages, the Government in its bounty caus-
ing the supply to exceed the demand. But
many poor fellow to day gave his sweetheart
| ride and had pleasant time, and all without
footing a livery bill and, as the world goes
| all Washington has had gala day OF 1t.
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