The Morristown gazette. [volume] (Morristown, Tenn.) 1867-1920, 1881-09-28
THE SORROW UNIVERSAL.

THE SORROW UNIVERSAL.
Throughout the length and the
breadth of the land, a suspension Of
all secular business and a display Of
the deepest affection and the pro-
foundcst sorrow marked the an
nouncement of the Presidents death
on the morning of the 10th. Dis
patches and reports from every town
and village bring the same accounts.
Flags were at halfmast, church bells
were tolled, minute guns fired, hous-
es draped in mourning, courts ad-
journed, schools dismissed and meet
ings organized for the formal ex-
preston of the popular feeling of
sympathy and grief over the coun-
try's loss. At Chattanooga, the pro-
gramme for the festivities of the Ar
my of the Cumberland e-union was
suddenly changed to programme
for requiem service, led by Rev.
DR.. Buchanan, an Confederate
Colonel. At Cincinnati the street
parade of the Sovereign Grand
Lodge of Odd Fellows was given up
and the monument was unveiled in
sorrow and silence. In Canada, as
well as this country, the expression
of grief was almost universal. The
grand public reception which was to
have been given to Sir John A. Mac
Donald was indefinitely postponed |
on the receipt of the news of Pres
ident Garfeld's death, with the APP |
prOval of the Premier and all class
es of citizens. Flags were flying at
half mast from the Parliament bull
dings, and in Montreal, Quebec, st.
John, Halifax and elsewhere were
expressions of grief and coincidence,
In no town or village in the coun-
try was there more heartfelt sorrow
over the death of the President than
in Morristown. As soon as his de-
mise was automatically known, May
or Gregg issued a proclamation an
the sad bereavement, and
suggesting the suspension of all bu-
siness during the remainder of the
day. The stores and public places
were closed and generally draped in
the emblems of sorrow. Conspicu-
GUS for the taste and profuseness of
its funeral adOrnments were the
Cain House, Mayor ,,Gregg's Office,
the Post Office, etc. The schools
were closed and the church bells
tOlled. Those appearing upon the
streets seemed as if overpowered by
a personal grief and the entire sur
roundings showed how profoundly |
the sad event was mourned.
At 2 o'clock, p. m, Monday, bu-
siness of all kinds was generally sus-
pended, stores and shops were clos
ed and a vast concourse of our citi-
zens, preceded by the Masonic bro
therhood and the pupils of the male
and female schools, who marched in
procession from their respective |
halls, assembled at the Baptist |
in conformity to the procla-
nations of President Arthur, Gov.
Hawkins and Mayor Gregg. The |
decorations around the pulpit and |
in the rear of the church interior
were very ornate and chaste. Over
the heavy folds of black drapery
were suspended wreaths and fes-
looms of flowers and evergreens,
arge vases of flowers stood upon
each side of the pulpit, the National
lag entwined with Grape decorated
he rear, while above all was sus-
pended large portrait of the de-
ceased President, artistically sur
by crosses and wreaths of
lowers. The decoration was the
and work of the ladies
If our town, and a most touching
and beautiful tribute of affection it
was. Hon. VIM. Mcfarland presid-
ID and Col. o. G. King presented
he preamble and resolutions ex-
of the sorrow and senti-
nents of the assemblage, which
we're unanimously adopted. Feel
ng and appropriate remarks were
made by Rev. X. C. Atkins, Hon.
VIM. Mcfarland, Col. 0. C. King,
Judge Rose, Mayor Gregg, General
Ieaderick and others. In a word,
he memorial or funeral ceremonies
we're becoming the sad occasion
,athetic, impressive and sincere.
The Secretary was instructed to fur
fish the town papers with report
# the proceedings. !