New-York tribune., 1872-12-04
HORACE GREELEY.
LY1NG-M-sTATE AT THE CITY HALL.

There has never been, within the memory of
men now living, more touching, more impressive
testimonial of popular grief and affection than that
With which ew-York yesterday consecrated the first
sad scene in the Obsequies of her departed citizen
The mourning for Mr. Lincoln il is true, was held in
the midst of more splendid demonstrations. Beside
the coffin Of the murdered President stood military
guards and officers Of state martial trappings gilt
tered among the drapery of woe, and strains of mel
ancholy music mingled with the tramp of the multi
tude, as the nation crowded around the martyrs
remains. Yesterday there neither official parade
nor the oStentatiOn Of state funeral The body of
Horace Greeley, editor, farmer, philauthropisi,
plain, honest citizen, familiar friend of us all,
brought quietly in the early morning light to
the City Hall and there all day and far
into the night. the nch and the
POOR the old and the young fathers with their little
children, manned soldiers on crutehes, Generals,
merchants, lawyers, beggars, came to take a last
look at his kind face. 1t not much the great
ness of the multitude which made this demonStra-
ton impressive; it was not Spendor IN the ceremo-
MES nor richness in the funeral decorations but it
was the purey spontaneous character of the tribute
los good mans memory. and.the unaffected sorrow
which stamped the countenances of the throng and
found expression many time in tears and cries 1t
was fitting scene to be enacted around the bier .of
Horace Greeley He gave up his life to the people,
and the people are his mourners.
The body was taken to the City Hall at an early
hour yesterday morning, and the removal was made
squetly as possible. MIR. Wood, the sexton of DR..
Chapins Church, brought the hearse to Mr.. Sin
tairs house in West Forty-ffth-st. by o'clock.
NOnodce had been given of these proceedings, but
iaaf,w moments the place surrounded by
large crowd Of spectators, who silently looked on
while the coffin was placed in the hearse and rapidly
driven away. number of Mr. Greeley's nearest
friends followed it to the City Hall. There,
at rs a. m, 1t was received by the sex
toms assistants, Mr.. Roome, the keeper of
the Hail. and various other officials, and
borne at once to the Governors Room, where the
ceremony Of lying in state was to take place The
son Of the night before had interfered great deal
with the external draperies of the building, many
decorations put up by Mr.. ROome having been
swept away but since daylight workmen had been
Jrsly replacing what had been destroyed. The
columns Of the vcstibule were wound about with
black. Long black festoons dropped over the
FACADE and the wel-known lfe-size photograph of
Mr. Greeley, by Fredericks, representing him seated
and reading, was placed over the balcony, heavily
drapcd. Beneath it were the words, 1--WE remember
with pride his Busy Life" strong force of police
was already on the ground. The approaches to the
Hall were strictly guarded. Visitors were kept at
ads.ance until the hour appointed should arrive
aad so with only few friends to bear him company,
Horace Greeley was carried through the iron gates
aud up the main stairway.
IL TIE GOVERNORS ROOM.
The Governors Room. in which the coffin was de-
posted, was q ft place for the purpose. How many
Of the great men whose names will be associated
hereafter with his have stood in that room TO re-
eeive the hoaors Of their countrymen how many
4 -. af1 trltanh
cover the walls; how many patriotic memories
haunt the antique furniture ranged about the cham
ber At the foot of the coffin is the broad mahog-
a1y table used by Washington when the Govern
uent was established in New-York. Behind it is
the broad fauteuil with its ofggilt stars which
used TO be set apart for the Father of his Country
and next TO that is the chair of VicePresident John
Adams. The ofice-desks of Washington and his pri-
vate secretary are also here and along the sides OF
the room stand the arm chairs used by the first Con-
rress under the Federal Constitution which assem-
bled in New-York in 17S9. The shadowy forms
of Roger Sherman, and Fisher Ames, and James
Madison, and Richard Henry Lee Of Muhlenburgb
and IangdO1, and BOudinOt, and Robert Norris
to speak from these venerable relics OF patriotic
times. aud to welcome the spirit of the departed
statesman aud philosopher into the company Of the
great who have passed away. From one end of the
assemblage From the other looks out the strong
face of Morgan Lewis, Simer of the Declaration,
Quartemaster-Gene in the Revolution and third
Governor of the State of New-YOTk. The portrait of
Seward painted in the flower of that statesman's
manhood, when he aud Horace Greeley were great
powers in New-YoTk politics, is still draped in the
mourning which was hung about it two
months ago Here, too, are the faces OF
De Witt Clinton. and Throop, and Yates,
and Marcy; of Tompkins, known In his
day as "the Farmer Boy of Westchester,"
at whose Recommendation the bill was passed IN
1877 forever aboshng Slavery in the State OF New
York Of BOuck famous in connection with the EIle
Canal; of Silas Wright; of Martin Van Buren; and
of the later Governors who are still living, and OF
whom some were among the thrOng yesterday.
Here too are the portraits of historic Msyors,-Duane
who received Washington when he entered New
York to be inaugurated President Of the United
States; Varick Livingston; Willett; Hone; Har-
Der. Here are Presidents, and Generals, and dis
eoyerers; Columbus and Hudson, Washington and
Steuben; Jackson, Monroe, and Taylor; Lafayette,
and McComb and Scott; Perry and Decatur; Hull
and McDonough. II is a noble company and in the
midst Of it Horace Greeley rested, not the least OF
the illustriousi iassemblage.
The funeral draperies were appropriately simple
and unpretentious. The thick red curtains, faded
and worn. were drawn across the immense windows
Black hangings dropped from the central window
and iutertwined with the national flag about the
principal door, At either end Of the room the double
doorways leading into the adjoining apartments
were similarly hung with black. in front Of the
portrait Of Gov. Lewis was quaint design sent by
people Of Chappaqua-a shield Of black serge bear
ing a wreath composed of ears of wheat, with the
legend " IL is done above, and AK and pen