St. Landry democrat. (Opelousas, La.) 1878-1894, 1882-03-11
THE GARFIELD CEREMONIES.

THE galleries of the House of Representa-
tives were filled to the utmost capacity at an
early hour on the morning of the 9th, q ma
jority of the spectators being ladies. Before 10
O'Clock admission to the Capitol was refused
to all save members of the two Houses OF Con-
gress and their employees, but at that hour
the doors were thrown open to persons hold
ing tickets to the memorial services of the
late James A. Garfield. There were no signs
of mourning in the hall. A full length por-
trait of the late President was hung just back
of the chairs of the presiding officer, being it.
self nndraped. In the lobby back of the
Speakers desk the Marine Band was sta
toned, and at intervals until noon discourSed
solemn music. Among the distinguished
guests were Judge Bancroft, Cyrus w Field,
Admiral Worden, Gen. Schenck, Governors
Hoyt of Pennsylvania Foster of Ohio, Ham,
ilton of Maryland, and Bigelow of Connect
cut. At II 80 Gems. Sherman, Sheridan, Han
cock, Howard and Meigs and Admirals Am
men, Rogers and Rodgers entered and were
assigned seats to the left of the Speakers
desk, and few moments later men,
bers of the diplomatic corps, in
full regalia, were ushered in, headed
by the Hawaiian Minister as Dean of the
corps. Their brilliant costumes only served
to throw into stronger relief the dark attire
of the members of Congress who sat imme-
diately behind them. The Supreme Court of
the District, headed by Marshall Henry,
were the next arrivals. Dr. Bliss was also in
attendance. Mrs. Blaine occupied a front
seat in the gallery reserved for friends of the
President At precisely u O'Clock the House
was called to order by Speaker keifer
and prayer was offered by the Chap
lain. The Speaker then said: This
day has been dedicated by the ac-
ton of the two Houses of Congress to
services in commemoration of the life and
death of James Abram Garfield, late President
of the United States. This House is now as.
sembled and ready to perform its part" The
resolutions setting apart the day for the
services were then read by Clerk MCPHERSON.
At u 10 the Senators entered and took their
assigned seats. They were followed by
the Chief Justice and Associate Justices of the
Supreme Court, and the President of the Unit
ed States and his Cabinet The President
took front seat on the right of the presiding
officers chair. At 1890 the orator of day,
James G. Blaine. was introduced by President
Davis. Mr.. Blaine took position at the Clerk 8
desk, Immediately In front of the two presid-
ing officers, and proceeded to deliver an inn
pressive address, reading from manuscript.
His voice was firm and his words were dis
tinctly heard in all parts of the chamber. He
was listened to with the most profound at
tention from beginning to end. When Mr..
Blaine reached that portion of his speech in
which he alluded to the causes which led to the
shooting of Garfield, there was avisible strain
ing to catch the full import of his words. The
intensity OF feeling in the entire audience was
unconsciouslv illustrated in the long breath
of relief that swept over the human
sea when ne turned from the subject
to treat OF the religious character of the illus
trious deceased. When the final sentence was
spoken, and the orator sat down, round
after round of applause broke forth. With
the departure of invited guests and the pas
the House adjourned.