The New Orleans daily Democrat. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1877-1880, 1879-07-31
HONORS TO THE DEAD.
Richm0nd's Tribute to the Prince
Imperial.
A Large Outpouring Of People LIN.
pressive Ceremonies and an
Eloquent Sermon.

WASHINGTON, July 30.-A special dispatch
to the Washington Post from Richmond
says: "St. Peters Cathedral was filled to its
utmost capacity this morning by resident
French citizens and large concourse oi
Americans, to participate In the Prince I'm
perial memorial services. The front Of the
Cathedral was appropriately draped In
mourning. The interior OF the church pre-.
sented q grand appearance. Intermingling
black and white were twined around the col
umns supporting the gallery, and the walls
In the rear sanctuary we're also heavily
draped In mourning. From the centre OF the
church were hung four heavy stripes Of black
and white, caught up and fastened tastefully
on either side of the gallery. In the rear OF
the sanctuary was the inscription, Il am the
Resurrection and the Life.''
The catafalque was about fifteen feet In
height drapeu In black and covered with
candles. Hanging over 1t was dove with
outstretched wings. At the top Of the cata-
falque there was large "N'' in white flow
ers. At its base was the inscription, I'm
memoriam. b. Il. Napoleon Bonaparte, Cor
sica, Ariundi."
Mass was said by Rev. W. B. Hanly, eele-
brant; Rev. A. Habets, sub-deaeon; Rev. D.
j. OConne1l, deacon and G. Donohue, master
of ceremonies. None Of the Bonaparte family
were present. Rev. Father OConnell deliy-
cred the sermon. In the beginning he alluded
to the sad death of the Prince Imperial slain
by an unknown savage of Zululand. He then
spoke touchingly Of the bereaved mother and
the talents Of the young prince who, he said,
was great BY blood and birth, BY bis friends,
his relatives and his religion. He spoke Of
the power attached to the name of Napoleon !;
what spell was within that name? What a
power does 1t possess to move our souls at its
very sound? AS soon as that name Is pro-
nounced 1t coujures up q giant to our view.
Again we see him, his eyes set In fixedness OF
iron determination.
The Rev. Father then proceeded to give the
characteristics Of the first Napoleon, and con-
cluded: : wonderful Is the natfe Of n Napoleon!
SO great was he, 80 much above ordinary
men, SO much above the heroes of antiquity,
that at its very mention we are filled with
ave."
Father O'Connell then proceeded to say
that the Supreme Ruler Of Nations clothed
Napoleon with greatness and clothed him
with the mantle Of His power. While he wore
it Napoleon was invincible. He next spoke
of the greatness of Prince Napoleon and paid
a beautiful and touching tribute to his mem
ory. He alluded to the fact that the Prince
Imperial had been educated In the belief that
he was to be the successor OF his father. No
child was more promising than this one. Was
there ever a Drawer than this Prince? Did
ever any one have greater aspirations? or
that happy trio, father, mother and son, but
one now remains, and her heart is now dead
In her bosom.
The speaker spoke feelingly of the widowed
and childless Empress In her desolation. He
next commented on the wonderful spectacle
Of England, which had once been the bitter
enemy OF the Catholic Church, and who made
it a penalty Of death for priest to elevate the
host-now Engand's crowned heads bowed
around the altar OF the church at Ghselhurst.
In concluding Father O'Connell said: Had
to write his enitaph would write, Here lies
the greatest Napoleon"