New national era. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1870-1874, 1874-03-19

That magnificent edifce, the Sumner
School Building. contains large and beau
tiful hall worthy in its architectural features
and acoustic properties Of the noble name it is
hereafter to bear namely, that of "The
Sumner Memorial Hail."
1t was baptised with this name amid the
solemn funeral services which were observed
by the colored people of the District of Co.
lumbia on the day of the funeral of the re-
mains of the late great Senator. On the
evening of the meeting the tasteful dccora-
tons 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 instru-
mental, under the leadership of Miss. Patter-
son, in draping and otherwise adjoining it.
1t is not too much to say that the meeting
in Washington will hold a place in the his
tory of the funeral obscquics of Senator Sum-
ner wholly unique. 1t will be next to impos-
sible to find such surroundings and to secure
again such intensity Of feeling and interest
as marked the solemnities of Summer 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 and distinguished post only two
days before the services, rose to the very
| height of his well-known abilities. His adj
mirable address will be found rcrJatim in our
report of the proceedings. 1t will call forth
enconiums from all quarters by reason of
its chaste style and admirable spirit, strong,
elegant and comprehensive, ii is also brilliant
! and pathetic. This effort, as do all his efforts
places j. Sela Martin among the foremost
of our orators.
| We offer no apology for inserting the words
OF correspondent of this journal in this
place in regard to the speech of the Hon
Frederick Douglass, ON this solemn occasion
He says: "You will allow me to say what
you, rs his son, will not feel at the liberty to
say about the character of his speech at tho
memorial meeting. Mr.. Douglass brought
to his solemn task all his usual wcghtincss
Of counsel, all his freshness of thought ant
tenderness of feeling. Earnest, loving, sor
rowful, but hopeful words, fell from his lip.
in such a flow of cloqucnce that few wht
were there will forget them"
Hon. James 7. Rapier, one of the mos
sterling men of any race in Congress, brough
to his task all the rare sense for which he il
distinguished, and acquitted himself, as :
speaker, in such a manner as to give salts
faction to his numerous friends. Governo
Pinchback, with his usual drectness and fore
of speech, touched on many pleasant an,
tender "reminiscences. While Hon. r.. ii
Cain met the expectations which his remark
able speech in Congress had exacted. d. A
Straker, Esq, made and elaborate and abb
speech, well conceived, we'll written an
well delivered. And Prof. A. M. Green
with his accustomed force and eloqucnce
held the audience in rapt attention. TIL
memorial services will never be forgotten il
Washington while any of the generation ar
spared which participated.