The weekly Louisianian., 1874-03-28
From the New National Era.
SUMNER MEMORIAL SER
VICES IN WASHINGTON

! SUMNER MEMORIAL SER
VICES IN WASHINGTON
That magnificent edi6ce, the
Sumner School Building, contains q
large and beautiful hall worthy, IN
its architectural features and acous-
tic properties, of the noble name il
is hereafter to bear namely, that Of
''The Sumner Memorial Hall"
It was baptiscd with this name,
amid the solemn services which
were observed by the colored
people Of the District Columbia on
the day Of the funeral ofthe great
Senator. On the evening of the
meeting the tasteful decorations on
the wall and ceiling and platform
bore striking and convincing
evidence of the ability and
affection, Of the industry and
the fidelity OF the ladies
who were mainly instrumental,
under the leadership OF Miss. Patter-
son, in draping and otherwise adorn-
ing it.
1t is not too mnch to say chat
the meeting in Washington will
hold a place in the history of the
funeral obsequies Of Senator Sum-
ner wholly unique. It will be next
to impossible to find such surround
ings and to secure again such in
tensity of feeling and interest as
marked tho solemnities of Sumner
Hall.
Then, too, the distinguished
persons who participated in the
exercises will scarcely if ever again
be brought together on the same
platform.
The memorial orator, j. Sella
Martin, who had been notified of
his appointment to this honorable
ond distinguished post only two
days before the services, rose to the
very height of his well-known
abilities. Ills admirable address
Will be found verbatim in ourreport
of tie proceedings. It will call
forth encomiums from all quarters,
by reas n of it's chaste style and
admirable spirit. Strong, elegant and
comprehensive, it is also brilliant
and pathetic. This effort, rs do al.
his efforts, places j. Sella Martin
among the foremost of our orators.
Wo oafe- no apology for inserting
the words of a correspondent Of
this Journal in this place in regard
to this speech of the Hon. Frederick
Douglass, on this solemn occasion.
He says: 'You will allow me to say
what you, as his son, will not feel ut
the Liberty to say: about the charac-
ter Of his speech: at he memorial
meeting. Mr.: Douglass brought to
his solemn taska oil lis usual weight
ness of counsel. all his freshness OF
thought aud tenderness of feeling.
Earnest, loving, sorrowful, bat
hopeful words, fell from his lips in
such q flow Of eloquence that few
who were there will forget them"
Hon. james T. Rapier, one OF
the most sterling men Of any race
IN Congress, brought to his task all
the rare sense for which he is dis
tingnished, end acquitted himself,
as a speaker, in such a manner as
to give satisfaction to his numerous
friends. Governor Pinchback, with
his usual directness and force of
speech, touched on many pleasant
and tender "reminiscences. While
Hon. r. Fl. Cain met the expecta-
tons which his remarkable speech
in Congress had inspired. D. A.
Straker, Esq, made an elaborate
end able speech, we'll conceived, well
written and well delivered. And
Prof. A.. NJ. Green, with his accus-
toned forco end eloquence, held
the audience in rapt attention. The
memorial services will never be
in Washington while any
Of the generation are spared which
participated.
%~We call special attention to
The card of Mr.. G.. II. Griffin, Real
Agent, of Pointe Coupee.
ERE