Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1874-03-14
CHARLES SUMNER.
Funereal Session of the Senate.
The Obsequies at the Capitol.
An Immense Multitude Attend
the Solemn Occasion.
The President. Cabinet, Supreme
.Courf. Etc. Assist

The President. Cabinet, Supreme
'Courf, Etc, Assist
WASHINGTON, March 13-This morning
the remains of Senator Sumner were re-
moved from his late residence to the capi-
tol. The committee of arrangements and
the committee to escort the remains to
Massachusetts,, together with the pall-bear-
ers, the Massachusetts congressional del
egation, with the ladies of their families,
met there some time previous. These ladies
placed upon the casket large floral cross
and some sympathizing friend two large
fern leaves. The Sergeant-at-Arms Of the
Senate and the Sergeant-at-arms of the
House were also present, the former having
special charge of the funeral arrangements.
The casket containing the remains was
placed in a hearse drawn by four white
horses, and this was followed by
100 Coiored Men on Foot,
including Fred Douglass, Pinchback Of
Louisiana, and John +. Cook, Register of
the District, the Congressional committees
and the Massachusetts delegation and their
families, as mourners, and others took
places in carriages, and the cortege moved
20 the capitol. A large number of persons,
principally colored men, were gathered in
front of the late residence of the deceased,
some of whom, early in the morning, were
privileged to see the remains Of the late
Senator. Senator Boutwell, was not at the
house.
The procession having arrived at the
Capitol the coffin was removed
To the Rotunda,
placed upon dais and covered with flow
ers in the form of wreaths, crosses and
crowns, each bearing card giving the names
of the contributors. The face of the dis
tinguished dead was visible through the
glass. IL was somewhat discolored, partic-
ularly near the nose. The body was
dressed in plain black suit with the hands
resting on the breast. There was an i'm
menSe crowd on the west side of the Capt.
tOl, composed mainly of colOred persons,
and many of the females were in mourn
ing. This mass of human beings moved
slowly towards the rotunda all anxious to
see the remains. Policemen kept them in
line and they passed by the corpse, finding
exit on the east side. The rOtunda was
heavily draped. By hali-past ii the crowd
about the Capitol was larger than ever wit
messed before, not excepting during the
noted impeachment trial of ex-President
Johnson. 1t was estimated that 5000
persons could not gain admission even to
the corridors. The Senate galleries were
crowded before II o'clock, and hundreds
were unable to obtain standing room.
The Senate Chamber
was elaborately draped, and a large num-
Der of additional chairs were placed upon
the floor for the accommodation Of the |
President and Cabinet, the Justices of the |
Supreme Court, members of the House of |
and other invited guests. |
The members of the Massachusetts, Con- |
greSsional delegation who attended as
were designated by black silk |
sashes, and nearly all were accompanied |
by their families. The committee of ar
on the part of the Senate wore |
white silk sashes; the pall-bearers, black |
sashes fastened by white and black roSettes. |
The members of both houses Of Congress |
wore the usual badge Of mourning.
All the papers and books were removed |
from the desks Of Senators and upon each |
was placed the printed order of the funeral. |
Mrs. Secretary Fish occupied a front seat |
in the diplomats gallery. At noon, al |
though the weather was cold and the wind |
keen, immense crowds still were coming to |
the Capitol and thronging all the ap |
proaches. At an early hour Gen. Sherman, |
accompanied by his staff, Gen. Mcdowell, |
and other high officers of the army and |
navy, entered the Senate chamber in full |
and were assigned seats behind |
the bar. Shortly after II, the diplomatic |
corps, in citizens dress, made their appear |
ance and were conducted to reserved seats |
on the floor of the Senate Immediately be- |
hind the seats left vacant for the Justices |
Of the Supreme Court and adjoining those |
reserved for the House Committee appoint |
ed. Among them were Sir Edward Thorn |
ton, Admiral Paio and Baron Lederer.
The CatafaIque
was brought in the Senate Chamber a few |
minutes before u and placed Immediately |
in front Of the Vice Presidents desk. The |
consisting Of the Massachusetts |
Delegates, accompanied by their ladies, |
Maj. Ben Perley Pool, and few other in |
innate friends Of the deceased, entered at |
u, from the Vice Presidents room, and |
were assigned seats on the left of the Vice |
President. Senator Carpenter, President |
pro TEN of the Senate, then called the |
Senate to order, and
Rev. Byron Sunderland,
Chaplain, addressed the throne Of Divine |
grace as follows
o Lord our God, We come together this |
day to engage in the solemn ceremonies of |
the occasion which Thou hast made for us |
amidst the engagements, excitements and |
tumults of the present life. We beseech |
Thee now, that We are all here assembled |
in this chamber, Representatives and the |
people Of themselves, to hear the voice of |
the Lord, our God, look down upon us |
with Thy favor and bless US; sanctify to us
all the ceremonies and services of this SOL |
emn day, through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.
The President pro TEN Carpenter direct
ed that all officers of the Senate, clerks and /
pages and others not needed |
upon the floor to retire to the cloak room to
make room for the House of Representa-
tives. The journal of yesterdays proceed
ings was read by Secretary Gorham.
Mr.. buckingham said the burial ofthe late
Senator Sumner would take place Monday /
next. He moved when the Senate ad-
jOurned to-day il be to meet Tuesday. |
Agreed to.
Mr.. Mcpherson, clerk Of the House of /
appeared at the bar of the
Senate and announced the House would at
tend the funeral of the late Senator. At 20
minutes past II
The House OF Representatives
was announced and that body entered the
Senate Chamber headed by Speaker Blaine
and the clerk and committee on the part of
the House to accompany the remains to
Boston. The members of the House were
assigned seats on the right Of the Vice
Presidents table, the Senators and others
on the floor standing as the House marched
in. The Supreme Court of the United
States was announced and the justices mar
'halled by Marshal Nicolay and Clerk Mid
lleton followed into the chamber. The
Justices were attired in the judicial robes
md were assigned mont seats on the right
IF the chair, Chief Justice Waite occupying
he extreme tight. At 1890
The President
If the United States Cabinet were an
and every one arose as they en-
cred the chamber. They were assigned
eats in the front row, and next to the
supreme Court. The committee of ar
angements and pail bearers were an
and entering, preceded by the
Rev. DR.. Sunderland, and followed by the
Corpse,
,orne by six policemen white and colored.
Is the remains were borne to the catafal-
ue, and the solemn procession marched in
Dr.. Sunderland recited: Il am the resur-