New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1874-03-29
Senator Summers Funeral.

Senator Summers Funeral.
The following interesting account of the
funeral of the lamented Sumner is from the
pen of Mr.. James D. Kennedy, who is we'll
known in our city. 1t is contained in a
letter from Washington, dated the twenty
third instant:
Ihave availed myself of your kind per-
mission to write you an occasional letter.
FIRST of all, and overshadowing all, is the
death of Charles Sumner, so fraught with
calamity to us as people and to the nation
at large. The circumstances of his death
are too well known to require recital here.
This overwhelming grief and loss has taken
complete possession OF us all. Never, ex-
cept the death of Lincoln, has any event
created SO profound an impression in the
history of our country. His lifeless
form has been borne from the ma
tional capital to Massachusetts in the
honorable and affectionate custody of his
associates in office. The whole civilized
world has taken note of the solemn event.
The whole country in its great cities, its
scattered villages, its roadside farmhouses
and its lowliest cabins, pauses, reflects, and
mOurns Your correspondent was detailed
by the Sergeant-at-Arms OF the Senate to
accompany the remains to Boston. Nothing
4 of special interest occurred on the Journey
Along the route at every principal city and
station vast multitudes OF people, courage
ously butfeting the bleak March winds, had
asse mbled. l understand that the pub
lished announcements were misinterpreted,
and that the gatherings at these places had
entertained the notion that display was
to be made at each. On no other assump-
ton is it easy to account for the patience
and pertinacity with which people having
what they deemed good points OF observa-
ton clung to them amid the many discom-
forts of tine weather. On arriving at the
depot in Boston the party were met by
committee of the common council OF that
city, by whom they were conducted to the
State House, where Senator Anthony de-
livered the body TO the authorities of the
commonwealth in a speech full Of pathos
and feeling.
The remains were received on behalf Of
the State by Governor Washburne, her
chief magistrate, who also spoke with deep
feeling and elOquence: after which the
committee withdrew, aud the remains were
given in charge of Major Lewis Gaul and
company of colored troops, the Shaw
Guards, of the Massachusetts militia. On
Sunday the remains lay in state in the Doric
Hall at the State House, and it is estimated
that 30 600 persons took last look at the
coffin as it lay almost encased in floral dec
Orations. On Monday be was buried. The
throBgs which gathered TO witness, and in
a certain sense TO participate in the solemn
proceedings, consisted largely OF out-ot-
town people: and during the forenoon
hours every car and train bound hther
came crowded. At two O'Clock the remains
were taken from the State House to Kings
chapel, where Mr.. Sumner usually attended
divine service when in Boston. The chapel
was decorated in mourning and flowers, and
pew No. "a. where Mr.. Sumner was wont to
sit in attendance on divine service, was
appropriately marked by mourning.
After the funeral services were over, the
body was placed in the hearse, and the
procession moved slowly and with solemn
stiffness between the long lines which, as
far as the eye could reach, lined the streets
on either side. As the procession moved
through Cambridge tie bells were tolled,
and the flags on all the public buildings
were at half mast. At Harvard square,
near the college. the students had assembled
to look for the last time at the coffin of one
who graduated years ago from that time
honored institution. The head of the col
umn reached the cemetery at quarter be-
fore six, and entering, led the way among
tue winding paths to the grave. Along the
the numerous avenues aad walks in the
cemetery were scattered groups viewing
the splendid monuments and reading the
inscriptions thereon, while others gathered
around the workmen watching them fash
ioning the resting place OF the illustrious
dead.
The family lot is situated on rising
eminence in the south corner OF the ceme-
terry. Here are laid Mr.. Summers father,
mother, his brother and three sisters. The
lot is simply inclosed with small granite
edgestone, and there is a tablet in it to in
dictate who the tenants are. Near where
Mr.. Sumner is buried lie the bodies of Ed
ward Everett, Rufus Choate and Professor
Agassiz; in fact these graves nearly sur
round the Sumner lot. A large and sturdy
oak stands at the head of the grave, a fit
ting sentinel for the giant mind which sleeps
beneath it. About six o'clock, while the
rays OF the setting sun were deepening into
twilight gloom" giving a subdued and sor-
rOwtul appearance to the spot and its sur
the funeral cortege reached the
avenue which leads to the Sumner lot. A
squad of police kept the vast crowd from
pressing forward. The casket was taken
from the hearse and bourne to the grave,
where the last sad rites were performed by
the Rev. Mr.. Foote. The intimate friends |
Of the deceased now pressed around to take |
q last look at the casket. Among the many |
friends were Vice President Wilson, John |
g. Whittier. Ralph Waldo Emerson, Charles !
Francis Adams, Generals Banks and Butler. |
After all had taken their farewell glance |
into the narrow house where the great |
statesman is laid, preparations were made |
Tor closing up the vault. The mourners en-
tered their carriages, and were driven Off,
while the great mass of spectators bent |
their steps homeward. Just as night closed
N the workmen began to cover the grave,
and now little mound of earth marks the
spot where the mortal remains OF Charles |
sumner repose. The general suspen sion of
business during the hours when the funeral
ceremonies were in progress, the thronged
OF all the streets near the scene
If the funeral service, the emblems OF
displayed at different points,
many OF which were arranged around some
portrait or bust of the deceased, and near |
III OF which crowds from time to time
gathered and gazed. the funeral cor
ege which, both in its magnitude and the
distinguished station CT those who had
place In 1t was most noticeable, the silent
'et lntelllglble expression OF thousands OF
nsigns dropping at half mast-aH be-
okened the deep interest which made the
lay pathetic, and it may be said with
title, II any lInpropriety. hallowed ocea-
ion. Nature herself seemed to combine her
influence with those of man, for as the hour
OF the rites OF sepulture approached haze
the sky, which by nightfal was
ark, with impending rain. The committee
eft the same night for Washington, where
hey arrived the following evening, after
aving faithfully performed most solemn
uty.
Notwithstanding the fact that the Peoria