Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1881-09-26
THE SILENT MAN AT THE
FUNERAL.
What the Whirlfgtg of Time Brings
ArOund-The President and Gene
raj Grant.

A Washington special to the Baltimore
San says: "Ex Presidents Grant and HAYES,
who sat on one sofa to themselves, were
almost as much the objects of curiosity as
was President Arthur. General Grant
seems to be growing stouter and heavier
and more stOlid-looking than ever. During
the whole time occupied by the services he
never moved a muscle of his face, and
looked straightforward into vacancy. No
one could tell really whether his thoughts
were upon the sad and solemn scene enact
ing under his eyes, or of things afar off.
Mr.. Hayes seems to be a trife more horid
than when he left Washington, and gives
evidence Of feeling somewhat the lack of
attention which appears to be shown him.
Many persons Of those who knew General
Grant when he was President have taken
pains to go up and speak to him,
but scarcely any one has taken the
trouble to do this with Mr.. Hayes.
President Arthur, with Secretary Blaine,
also sat on sofa by themselves diagonally
opposite to the one occupied by Generals
Grant and Hayes. His fine open coun-
tenance bore dignified and sorrowful ex-
preston, which was made quite perceptible
to all, as his eyes were not cast down at
any time, although once or twice be shield
ed them with his hat. His demeanor
throughout was such as to commend itself
to all. Secretary Blaine showed most plain
ly the depression which he feels. He scarce
ly seemed to have energy enough left in him
to take the least interest In anything, and
most of the time his head was resting on his
hands aud his eyes were closed. In enterin g
and departing from the rotunda the con-
trast between him and President Arthur,
who had his arm, was very marked. The
President, with head and form firmly erect,
lowered several inches above the Secretary
OF State, whose head was buried almost in
his breast.
''Two of those present to-day have had
peculiar thoughts as they gazed at the new
President. These were Mr.. Hayes and Sena-
tor Sherman, for 1t is primarily by reason of
their action that General Arthur is to-day
the President Of the United States. Had
they not removed him as Collector of the
port of New York he would never have
been dreamed of in connection with the
nomination for Vice-President at Chicago.
Senator Sherman's face showed that his
thoughts were not pleasant ones.
f'Just before the religious services COM
menced a bat flew In the rotunda and cir
cled around, up and down, for an hour or
so, at times descending so low as if to alight
on the coffin. When, after the conclusion
OF the services, the procession was about to
form on the broad plateau of the eastern
front of the capitol, the scene was most
striking, and one not soon to be forgotten
by those who witnessed it. On the broad
steps OF the rotunda entrance stood the
President, the two ex Presidents, the Chief
Justice and Associate Justices of
the Supreme Court, the Cabi-
net, Senators, members of the
Diplomatic Corps, and many high in politi-
cal and social life. Their plain black attire
was relieved by the white dresses of the
many ladies of high social position who
were present. The broad steps of both
the Senate and the House wings were COW
cred with persons of both sexes, many of
them also Of prominence. The plateau be-
yond was packed with a dense mass of hu-
man beings, reaching as far out as the ele-
waited slab in the park upon which rests the
colossal statue of George Washington, and
as 1t lowered above that man, with the up
lifted finger pointed over all, the effect was
very impressive. A vacant space for those
who were to form part of the procession
was kept clear from the steps of the rotunda
to the spot where stood the hearse, with it's
six white horses, and around which stood
the guard Of honor in their glittering uni
forms, guard COMPOSED of the most dis
tinguished defenders of the republic on
land and sea. Back of the hearse the long
extended lines of military stood. with the
bands playing their solemn requiems.
"Just as the funeral train was starting
from the depot light shower came, but it
was soon over, and as the train glided along
lu lulI View VI bu6 SOubu lIOub Ol bn6 CAPT.
tol beautiful rainbow spanned the horizon
Immediately over that building.
"Tbe evident partislity of the new Presi-
dent for Gen. Grant was shown by his leav-
ing the depot in his company after the de-
parture of the funeral train, selecting him
from among dozen others Of his compan-
ions. 1t seems to be the general impression
that in a short time Gen. Grant will be in
the Cabinet. Common rumor assigns the
SecretarYship of State to him, but it is more
likely, If he goes into the Cabinet at all,
that it will be as Secretary of War.
"FOur of the members of the Cabinet,
who now have the prospect OF retiring to
private life, will very naturally regret how
they did not hold on to the positions which
they held on the 4th of March. Three of
them left the Senate-Blaine, Window and
Kirkwood-where each had good prospect
of remaining for an almost indefinite period,
and another, Hunt, resigned q life position
on the bench of the Court of Claims"