New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1883-06-10
NEWS FROM WASHINGTON.
THE AUTHOR OF HOME, SWEET HOME.

THE AUTHOR OF HOME, SWEET HOME.
UoNoRs TO THE MEMORY OF JOHN HOWARD PAYNE
REINTERMENr AT OAK HILL CEMETERY. 'sRS
WASHINGTON June 9.-The remains OF John
Howard Payne were to-day inferred in Oak Hill
Cemetery, 10 the beautiful spot provided by W. w.
CorcOran, bis early friend, now one of Washing
toms oldest and most muniicent citizens. and the
pageantry of the funeral procession aud the cere-
monies of the occasion parook of the character OF
National tribute TO the memory of one who holds
lasting place in the hearts and homes of the Ameri-
can people.
Yesterday afternoon the remains were taken rom
the receiving vault at Oak Hill Cemetery, where
they were deposited upon their arrival here on the
oath of March last and were placed in the Corcoran
Art Gallery where at o'clock this afternoon the
procession formed. The remains. inclosed IN
handsome coffin richly upholstered and with an
outer covering of heavy white satin, were borne
from the building shortly after O'clock aud placed
in the hearse This had been specially built for the
occasion, and was draws by four white horses.
The pa-bearers wete: General j. &. Parke,
U. S. A.; Commodore w. Temple, U. s. N; Hon. G.
McMichael Gilbert Harrison. esq; Colonel 1. Il.
Casey, Hon. w. A. Marry, Professor 5. +. Bard
and Major A. s. Nicholson.
About fifty carriages were in the procession with
-
the day. the poet of the day, the President of tho
United States members OF the Cabinet,
members of the Diplomatic Corps, the
Chief Justice and Associate Justices
of the Supreme Court of the United States, clerk
and marshal, the Chief Justice and Associate
Justices of the Supreme Court Of the District OF
Columbia clerk and marshal, the Chief Justice and
Judges of the United States Court of Claims and its
clerk members of the Senate and House OF Rep
resentatves, the Commissioners of the Dlstrict OF
Columbia and secretary Mr. Corcoran and his
family. and Committee of Arrangements.
The cemetery was reached at 5:15. All along the
route the sidewalks were thronged with people VINO
had gathered to witness the imposing pageant while
theimmedate approaches to the cemetery could Win
difficulty kept free for the entrance of those having
tickets to the nclosure Long before the procession
reached the cemetery the holders of tickets had be-
gun to take their position on the platforms which
had been erected upon the sides of the monument
The site chosen for the latter is of great nat
nra beauty 1t rests on the crest of the hill near
the main entrance, and about midway on the lawn
between the fountain and the chapel. The smart,
of white marble, surmounted by the bust one-hah
larger than life-size, Is supported on base
of solid gray granite six feet square. The
height of the monument is fourteen feet, and
its general design is Roman OF the pure
classical type. The face of the bust is turned
toward the east and represents the poet after he
had passed. out of his young manhood and had been
made sad and serious by his long and hard bat tie
with adversely The features somewhat sharp
ened and are marked by lines OF care. snort
beard fIin Res the face and seems TO helgnten us
melancholy expression. On the front OF the shaft
is the inscription: " John Howard Payne author
OF Home, Sweet Home Born June o. 1872 Died Apru
10 1882 On the back il this inscription whlcn
was on the tombstone that marked his grave IN
Tunis:
Sure when thy gentle spirit fed
with arm outstrctched, Gods angel said:
Welcome TO Heavens home, sweet home
This was written BY Mr. X. s. Chiffon, the author
Of the poem which was read on the present Oeca-
sion. On the sides are medallions III reIieI. Qne
bears Tyre inclosed in wreath of laurel, the other
an omen scroll, crossed by pen, Wblch Is SUI
rounded by q wreath of palms. ,
When the procession reached the cemetery the
coffin was taken from the monument where 1t re,
manned during the exercises and the speakers ana
distinguished guests Of the occasion took seats upon
the north platform which had been reservoir
seated the singers-about one hundred members
of the Phi harmOno SoClety-and the Marine band;
On the east side large platform ior tne senera a
public afforded seats for 1000 persons. large
space surrounding the platform was roped III, anu
probably 1000 or 5000 persons gained POSITIONS
inside the ropes. The front OF tho speakers plat
form was covered with eyergrcens and flowers,
while the folds of the National flag and the Tunis
colors gave color to a scene the setting OF when
natural beauty. In front rested the
casket plowed in flowers and eyergreens.
The exercises were formally opened by tho reading
of portioDs OF Scripture by the Rev. Dr. Leonard,
rector Of st. Johns Episcopal Church; Tins was
followed by music, quartette and chorus, alter
which the poem was read by Mr. Robert s. Chiffon.
ROBERT s. omLToNs POEM.
The exile hath returned and now at last
In kindred earth his ashes shal repose,
FIT recompeuse for all his weary past,
Tha. here the scene should end-the drama close.
Here where his own loved skies 0'erarche1 the spot
And where familiar trees their branches Wavoi
Where the dear, home-born flowers he ne'er forgot
Shall bloom and shed their dews upon MS gave,
VIII not the wood-thulsh, pausing in her flight.
Carol more swcety Ger this place OF rect
Here lingeT longest In the fading llglt,
Before she seeks her solitary nestf
Not his the lofty Tyre, but whose strings
Were gently touched TO soothe our human Kind
Like the Iny steriOus harp that softly sings,
swept by the unseen fingers OF the wind.
Tho homesick wanderer in distant land,
Listening his song, hath known a double bliss:
Felt the warm pressure OF a fathers hand,
And seal OF seals mothers sacred Kiss.
In humble cottage, a. in hall Of state,
His truant fancy never ceased 10 roam
DER backward years, and--rony OF fate =
OF home he sang VINO never found homei
Not even in death, poor wanderor, I'LL nOwi
For long his ashes slept IN allen soil
Will they not thrill to-day, as round his brow
A nttiug wreath Is twined with loving toll
Honor and praise he has whose generous hand
Brought the sad exile back no moro 10 roam;
Back 10 the bosom OF his own loved land
Back 10 his kindred, friends, his own Sweet Home
The monument was then unveiled and Payne's
Home Sweet Home was sung by the full chorus
with the band accompanying and the entire audience
rising TO their feet and uniting with the chorus In
! singing the last verse. The funeral Grafton was