Sacramento daily record-union., 1881-09-27

diagonally placed. Upon the two front
columns of the dome, to the west, are large
national shields, in mourning. with drapery
of white and black. suspended Immediately
above and partially concealing them. In the
center panel of the base of the dome, which
is of pure white, is placed an immense elon-
gated diamond of simple black, which stands
out in bold relief. From the apex of the roof
over the west front to the outer holdings of
the cornice extend streamers and drapings.
The balustrade above the cornice, extending
across the entire western front, is covered
with black, and with slight festoon work in
white dropping over it. The lower portion
of the columns above the front entrance
are heavily draped, and two very large
shields are placed upon the central
columns and another over the upper entrance,
from which streamers are carried to the
upper windows. Over the lower entrance is
national hatchment and other decorations.
Beneath this stand was erected and an
awning overit, where the services of the day
were held. The stand and awning were deco
rated and life. size portrait of the lamented
President placed upon the front of the latter,
with heavy black drapings surrounding it.
and extended in festoons across the front of
the awning.
The State Printing Office, in Capitol Park,
is elsborately draped in mourning bands and
presents striking appearance.
The Executive Mansion, at Eleventh and
H streets, is beautifully draped in mourning,
and for elegance of finish and appropriateness
of design and keeping with the structural
architecture of the portals Of the house
around which it centers, is not surpassed or
equaled in the city.
THE PREPARATIONS
For the ceremonies, as arranged by the gen.
eral committee of citizens and the Grand
Marshal, Adjutant General Backus, were
complete in every detail, and carried out
with the utmost success and resulted in the
most imposing demonstration. From early
morning the streets, though solemn in ap.
pearance, were filled with people, and at 9
o'clock all the various societies and military
organizations gathered at their halls and
headquarters preparatory to joining in the
procession. At half-past 8 the Governor and
staff, State officers and attaches, military
staff officers, city and county and Federal
officers, the clergy and invited guests, as
sembed at the Golden Eagle Hotel, where
they were received by James 1.
Felter and Albert Gallatin. of the Re.
ception Committee, who shortly afterwards
conducted them to the Plaza to take the
places assigned them in the procession.
While the procession moved minute-guns
were fred by section OF Battery B, Captain
Houghton, and all the fire and church bells
were solemnly tolled. As the firing and
tolling began the people focked to the side
walks and balconies, and the solemn ceremo-
NAL opened. In all the vast crowd up and
down the streets, on foot or in vehicles, in
houses or on the highway the almest uni
versal robing was black. 1t was rare, indeed,
for the eye to rest upon woman with any
other than somber drapery for her dress, or
to find one who appeared in bright or gaudy
colors. The men and youths and boys by
the thousand wore Grape upon the left arm,
or bits of black and white cloth upon the
coat lapel, or mourning badges with General
Garfeld's portrait or other insignia of grief.
NEVER BEFORE
In the history of this city has there been such
unanimity upon any subject, such agreement
of sorrow, such perfect one-minded sentiment
and manifestation. 1t seemed that in the
common sorrow all the people were drawn
closer together, and clung to each other. with
more of that open acknowledgment of reli-
ance upon each other, which is evidence of a
united and strong community. As the first
strains of the solemn funeral march, arranged
from the pathetic air " Flee as Bird to the
Mountain" were waited upon the air like
the wall of a breaking heart, all eyes were
turned to the procession, and as it moved,
and still another mournful march, from 81
Know that My Redeemer Liveth," quivered
upon the breeze, there came the muffed
roll of many drums. and the shrill shrek of
the moaning funeral fife, its martial cry
crushed as if by weight of woe, and an almost
aweful stiffness fell upon the thousands on
the streets, and they stood, some moved to
tears, some uncovered, and all with bowed
heads, or bated breath, or silent mien, and
gazed upon the emblems of nations woe,
as the sad and sorrowful pageant moved
slowly by.