The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1873-02-10
Twenty Thousand Persons Visit STA al
rick's Cathedral to Look Upon the
Remains OF Father STAIRS.
Affecting Eulogy by Arch
bishop McCloskey.
THE GRAND AND SOLEMN CEREMONIES TO-DAY
The Touching Tributes to
Il Beloved Pastor.


the afternoon. solemn and perfect silence
reigned in the house during the early hours Of the
day, only disturbed by the mufied footballs OF the
visitors and servants. At two O'Clock che six gen.
tlemen who had been appointed to transfer the re.
mains OF the deceased priest nom the pastoral
residence to the Cathedral-Messrs. O'Rey, COrco-
ran. Heran, Kenny, Miner and Doyle all
OF whom are members Of the st. Vincent
de Paul Conlerence-entered the house OF death,
and ranging themselves ON either side OF the
superbly mounted casket, placed 1t on their
shoulders and with grave and revcrent tread
carried 1t from the back parlor through the hall
way and out into the street. where large assem-
blage OF people OF both sexes were In waiting to
get q look at the funeral cortege. The palbearers-
Dimes Cardlin, Peter Dolan, John Kelly, John
Mckeon, M O'Keefe. p. Hagan, John Mckinley and
I. Observation-Disclosures together with the dis
tinguished prelates, Archbishop McCloskey, Bishop
McNerney, OF Albany; Archbishop Bailey, Of Balti-
more, and Bishop Laughlin, OF Brooklyn.
These last-named gentlemen were in hol-
low square, and as the cOrtege moved
through the large crowds into Prince street
q most touching spectacle presented itself. No
less than fourteen hundred children of both sexes
comprising among their ranks the orphans OF the
Prince street asylum as well as the boys and girls
who attend the par0chia school of St. Patrick's,
were assembled to do honor to the good priests
memory. The orphan girls were clad In black, and
they carried bouquets In their hands, which they
were to place on the CONN as they deded by 1t in
the main aisle Of the Cathedral. Many of the little
girls were visibly weeping for the loss of Father
STAIRS, who had been more than q father
to them. There were also twenty-five
acOlytes, in black cass0cks ana white sur.
plices, who marched In the solemn train.
When the procession entered the church all those
comprising 1t took seats in the body OF the sacred
sanctuary. The children Of the orphan asylum
and parOcnial school offered Ave Hail Marys and
deceased. The ONCE Of tine Dead, with its impress
sive monotone, was then chanted by the priests,
and during this time thousands OF persons were
endeavOring to gain admission. Drs. James X.
Wood and OROrke were present in the Cathedral
during the service. DR.. Clarke was unavoidably
absent
GRIEF OF THE ARCHBISHOP.
Archbishop McCloskey has suffered more than
any one else by this sudden and unexpected blow.
The reverend Archbishop feels most keenly the loss
OF an Old and beloved friend and c0adjutOr by the
death OF Father STAIRS. At eight O'Clock mass
Vice in the Cathedral, the archbishop was almost
overcome by emotion, and he very nearly broke
down at the most solemn part Of the service. The
his voice and manner betOkened the struggle that
was going on In his breast.
robes. The ceiebrants were Rev. Fathers
Father Kearney for three days and nights has
been unwearied in discharging the duties Of the
left vacant Owing to the death OF Father STAIRS
no sermon was preached, but during the services
@ % rose ae and Sso pups
faltering step. the reverend prelate made
some brief and touching remarks respect
said that he did not intend to preach
a sermon, but only to say q few words to the
and esteemed the deceased during life. He said -
"My friends, want to ask your prayers for the re-
pose Of the soul Of your late venerable friend and
be in the enjoyment Of the heavenly kingdom.
Whatever is Gods will must be ours yet our loss Is
grievous one It stirs the innerlnost recesses
or our hearts, and the loss is not
wno he sa we Sn
likewise by the members Of every congregation
throughout the entire diocese. His brethren Of the
clergy, as well as the community over whom he
has Tor so many years extended hisfathery prOtec
tion deeply deplore the loss OF the Oldest priest OF
the diocese. the Archbishop added that, now that
Father STAIRS is gone, tue Oldest priest in the
diocese stands before you. and he feels that he
stands solitary and alone. Nothing remains
pose Of his soul. Tomorrow he win be
spoken Of by one better ., able to iul I'M
blameess and spotless life, and In his labors in
the Lords vineyard was indefatigable. No one
Sc he bore and the holy say in
passage which specially cOmmends itself to us on
this occasion, blessed are the dead who die In the
Lord, for their works do follow Them"
Beloved brethren, we can best show our respect
to his memory by constant and unremitting atten-
ton to our religious duties. Pray for him and for
footsteps OF the good man who has heretofore been
your guide and comforter snd may you, one ; ana
you Tor the remainder OF your lives. The reverend
prelate then feelingly alluded 70 the loss he had
personally sustained In the deceaSe OF Father
STAIRS, who had been his adviser and friend
APPEARANCE OF TIKI CATHEDRAL
.n me ana imnressve anpearance to the spectstor
1t was almost midnight before the doors were
closed, and up to that time not less than twenty
taken . farewell glance at the lineaments
Of their beloved spiritual guide, now rigid
II the d ssl. asa aasS
most solemn aspect, being festooned with
vouminous folds Of heavy black Grape, twined
ana white ribbon, were detailed by the President
sress and egress Of the eager and reverential
visitors. The members OF the society were scat
tered throughput the edince' and Is the long lines
the main aisle, with the head towards the altar,
they nled BY without any confusion and in perfect
The catafalque itself is magnncently con-
structed. and was the work OF Mr.. William Hart,
Of the VINO ha Se % al ne
square framework is covered and lined with black
velvet white satin and silver fringe. On the TOP
is q large cross, handsomely ornamented. Every
part OF the catafalque was almost hidden from
view by o proiusion OF natural mowers, consisting
OF baskets Of flowers, wreaths OF immortelles, ia
pOnica buds, and crosses exquiaitey wrought
These were the gifts OF ladies' connected with the
parish and the various Catholic churches Of New
York.
At the feet OF the deceased clergyman lay huge
basket of Mowers, with the single word FEATHER,
| wrought in natural flowers. The remains OF the
| good priest presented most natural appearance
| and his features bore no semblSnce OF death but
rather OF calm and placid repose; Many ladies' ,n.
| as they passed the bier, wept profusely. On the
platform, In front OF the altar, was placed broken
| column constructed OF MOWERS and emblematlc o
| the almost premature close OF so useful life
worn out a. II was BY unremitting devotion 70
| duty.
Sister Mary Frances, OF the Prince street asyI
and twelve members Of the Confraternty OF s''
| Vincent de Paul.
The funeral services to-day Will pe o, .ne mas noS