Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1882-04-14
LOCAL INTELLIGENCE.
THE LANSING oBsEoUIEs.

The funeral of the late james Lansing
took place at clock yesterday afternoon
1t was conducted under the auspices
of the various Orders of which he had been a
member. The funeral procession was under
the direction of Ed. NJ. Martin, acting as
Grand Marshal The societies were repre-.
sented as follows; Pioneers and ex-Sheriffs,
G. K. Van Husen, Marshal; FL. NJ. Larue
and James McClatchy pail bearers, and fifty
members. Exempt Firemen, E. L. Robinson,
Marshall pall'bearers, John Domingos and
Friends, W. J. Anderson, Marshal; pail
bearers, B. n. Bugbey and Gus. Wyman, and
40members Knights Of Pythias, S. A. Wolfe,
Marshal; pall-bearers, John Guthrie and
VIM. z. Oughton, and 45 members. Capital
Lodge, Nc. 81, of Odd Fellows, Albert
Hart, Marshal; William E. Gerber and j.
FL. Sullivan pall-bearers. Following the So
cieties were 103 carriages and hacks.
The procession was forty minutes
in passing given point, and was one
of tie largest ever seen in the city
The body was taken from the hotel to the
Congregational Church, where religious SER
vices were he'd By the Rev. I. e. Dwinell
The spacious editce was crowded to such an
extent that many could not gain admittance,
and the streets for two blocks distant were
crowded during the time the funeral sermon
was being delivered. The floral tributes were
numerous and beautiful; and after the close
of the religious exercises at the church an
opportunity was given all who so desired to
take their last look at the remains. From
the church to the grave the procession was
preceded by the First Artillery band. The
services at the cemetery were conducted by
the various societies to which deceased had
belonged The following is o synopsis of the
funeral discourse delivered by Rev. DIR.
Dwinell al the church:
The community is shocked An honored citizen,
without warning has been stricken down by the
hand of violence In every death there is a special
lesson. No two deaths mean the same thing, as no
two lives mean the same. One calls attention par
ticulary to our mortality; another to our depend
ence God another to the brevity Of life an
other to the bessedness of death in claiming long
and ripe life and transferring it to better world
another to the heritage OF death, into which are
all born in the case of the death of babe an
other to society conditions. This death points spe-
cially to social conditions it is death from social
causes. We should try to get the lesson of each
death. What Providence would teach US we should
try to learn. II this death points to social
causes, we should not shrink from an investigation
OF those causes. Is not society in some sense to
blame for this great sorrow. While nothing may be
said in eXtenuation of the guilt of the wicked man
who perpetrated the deed, it is nevertheless true
tnat existence OF certain SOCIAL mad
TO do in working upon his passions and transform
ing him into the demon he proved himself to be.
Such deeds are the outcome of social conditions.
Society is responsible for certain conditions which
fire the human brain, influence the passions and
make men madmen. Society is responsible for Civ
ing more attention to supplying men and boys with
knowledge and skill OF weapons that may be used
for mischief, rather than true wisdom and proper
training to make them good and useful
citizens. Society has done far more to
make men powerful than to mako them good.
It puts pistols in their hands, not conscience in their
manhood, and the fruits must follow. Society makes
good and wholesome laws then teaches men who
do not like such laws to disregard them teaches
them to treat the law as having no binding force If
clalnorous public sentiment looks with disiavor upon
its execution. II follows that an increase o. crime
is inevitable and the condition Of society becomes
intoleTabe. Society is specially lax questions in
volving capital punishment. 1t let's most murderers
20 free What with the pretext of sef-defense, emo
tional insanity, and the benefit OF the doubt, nearly
ninety-four per cent OF all persons tried for muir
der in California have escaped proper PENALTY, and
the lesser part escapes conviction altogether, so
that it seems safer to commit murder than to steal
a sheep. James Lansing was in the Yigor OF his
manhood. Only short time since he was good for
twenty years lease of life. He had been honored
with important public trusts in this county, and dis
charged his duties without stain or a suspicion.
lie man Of sterling integrity and trustworthi-
ness a man of oren, generous nature. Many per
sons can recall his acts OF unookeafor generosity
] can personally testify TO this characteristic He
was q good husband and father. l commend the
family and all friends and acquaintance to the
watch and care and grace OF God