The Carbon advocate. [volume] (Lehighton, Pa.) 1872-1924, 1881-10-01
WASHINGTON.
[FRor QUA SPECIAL CoRREsrOsDEsr.l

FRon Qua SPECIAL CoRREsFoNDENT.l
WASHINGTON, Sept. 20, 1881.
There has never been such a scene as the
Capital witnessed during the last three
days. The stream of people was endless.
They stopped passing by the body Of the
late President about o'clock this morning.
There was a respite then until O'Clock this
morning, when they commenced to come
again. They have kept it up all dsy long,
and will continue until the funeral. 1t is
estimated that at least hundred thousand
people visited the Capital Yesterday to look
upon the face Of their late President. II
was one long line of mourners until far in
to the night hours, after which IL was found
necessary 10 close the lid Of the casket.
Nor can this wonderful outpourng Of the
people be attributed to q merely morbid
curiosity. In the case Of nine out Of every
ten Of them, it was an impulse of loving
sorrow, and patriotic admiration Of the man
that led them thus to wend their slow and
tedious way to that sacred catafalque, for a
momentery glance at his unburied dust;
and the memorable scenes about the Capt.
tai yesterday, TO be more than duplicated
to-day, furnish but renewed assurance
that the Government which rests upon such
people for its foundations is safer from
destruction than the everlasting pyramids.
Nobody will or can forget that face. It has
become blackish. The beard was thin and
gray. 1t could barely be seen where ON
the right Of the face it had been cut away,
so carefully was the body arranged. The
eyes were sunken and hollow. Dark cir.
cles under them extended down TO the
cheek bones. The nose was the only fea-
ture that was recognizable. The dark skin
is drawn 80 tightly over the bones of the
face that it would seem as if it would be cut
by the pressure. The lips are slightly purt-
ed and show the tightly clinched teeth be-
meath. The people who see the face will
remember il forever.
At about quarter before IL, accompanied
by Senator Jones and Gen. Grant, President
Arthur was driven to the Capitol,and alight-
ed at the Senate wing Of the east front.
He quickly entered the building by the
basement door, and proceeded thence to his
old room. Then it became nosed about
that the oath Of the Presidential Office was
again 10 be administered. 1t was ten min
utes of twelve when Chief Justice Waite and
Justices Harlan and Matthews entered the
room. Clerk Mckinney had with him
small bible. simultaneously with the ar
rival of the C!ief Justice, there was pro-
found silence. With some seeming trepid
alton, as if unacquainted personally with
the new President, the Chief Justice ad-
vanced and extended his hand. 1t was
taken and given most cordial greeting.
Then Clerk Mckinney advanced, opened
the bible hap and held it 10 the
President. lie laid his hand upon it, when
the Chief Justice, with due solemnity, ad-
ministered the oath. 1t was simple and
short. 1t merely consisted of an obligation
to faithfully administer the high Office to
which he had been called. AZ the Presi-
dent kissed the book he said, ir clear notes,
$50 help me God"
The President and Cabinet decided to call
the Senate together in executive session on
Monday, October 10. The official procla-
nation conyening the body will be issued
in few days.
The household now called to the White
House by the death of President Garfield
has no lady to preside. President Arthur
lost his wife a year ago last January, and
sadness over her loss is among his griefs.
She was the daughter of Lieutenant Com
mander Herndon, of the United States
Navy, who went down on his Ship, the
Central America. President Authors ac-
cession to his new responsibilities has been
too recent for him to give any consideration
to family arrangements for his residence at
Washington, but if the cares of her own
family will permit, Mrs McIlroy, his sister,
will most probably be the lady who will
preside al the White House. AusUsT.