New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1885-08-06
RECEIVING ITS DEAD.
PAGEANT OF SOLEMN BEAUTY.

p..L to the clty which befriended HIM in time
-...ed there to Seek final place OF peace, the
q whom the Nation is mourning was brought
'ssterdov from the historic neighborhood where ne
S..otbed his last The mighty town. WHICH,
~hen he was mortally stricken, became
the centre of the sympathy and goou-
gill of the country, received In awe anu
.o,emnty the remains of the great man VINO io'eu
n but not with the fervOr with which IL loved
him. Not with tho exultant pOmp Of victory was
the entry made, but every mark OF grisi anu
respect that sorrowng people could give was
,.v;sbed on the sad ceremonies of tho day. III
semed as If all had united to do honor to the great
occasion and the sincerity and strength OF the
tribute paid by civic and military auhorltles' as
we'll as the mass of citizens. were OF character
to silence the carping criticism of those VINO hed
that New-York was not worthy to be seiecteo W
guard the repose of the grand old General.
The day was almost without o blemish. Inc
,, that fell for an hour before the arrival OF the
funeral tram from Albany severely taxed the
temper of the many troops who had formed ana
were forming in line and the thousands OF specta-
tors who gathered early along the route
of the procession and at 'he
Grand Central Station, where the body was
to be brought in But it not of sufficient d'ira
tion to spoil the mourning drapery which clad the
had been arranged In the morning the air was
thrilled with an exultant of life, the sky was
only thick enough with feecy clouds to heighten
the balmy blue in which they seemed to hoat, and
the sun flashed forth its spears OF hight, reit OF
the stings of oppressive heat. The pro'"1se Oh
the day drew thousands to the city from places
near and far, and when the hour approached 1or
the reception procession to move, It's route was
crowded with loyal visitors who were yet iost III
10
the great outpouring of the city's own people,
Few occasions, even when the inspiration OF re-
jocing OF pleasure has lent its aid have gathered
along Fifth-ave and Broadway the immense
numbers that yesterday testified to the grandeur
and significance of the days chief event
Rich and lavish as had been the garb OF mourn
ing in which residence and business place were
attred. there were many additions made to the
display while the funeral train was on Its way TO
Albany Laggard hands seemed to receive new
energy, and many persons were lifted from ndiner-
euce into action by a realization that the hour was
coming when the remains of the dead warrior
were to be delivered into the keeping
of the metropolis Along the route OF
the procession men were busy until late in the al
ternoOn adding to the signs of sorrow that had
preyiously been put forth, new folds of Grape
around coonnade and balcony, new streamers Oh
black stretching from roof to cornce. new emblems
in window or over door. And even when the WIND
and storm of the late afternoon had tossed or
beaten out of its place cloud of drapery or BAN
ner of mourning eager hands were quick 10
rearrange it before the solemn dirge OF the ap-
preaching sodiery should sound Its notes too near
In shop and store evidences were lacking that
the people absorbed In preparations or
thoughts appropriate to the occasion. In the great
downtown marts of trade and speculation there
was the usual activity, but uptown little life was
stirring. except in the streets, where people
at an early hour of the afternoon were hurrying on
foot OF in cars to seek favorable position for
viewing the reception of the body, the passage OF
the escorting troops or the solemn placing of the
coffin IN the City Hall. Great as the hum of in
dustry was there was a virtual abandonment OF
business in many parts of the city long before the
hour for the coming of the funeral train. And
uppermost on the tongues of all was the topic OF
the arrival of the dead General.
By the booming of cannon and the solemn toll
ing of church bells the news of the entry of
the long-awaited train was announced to the
thousands of people who backened the streets
around the Grand Central Station and the white
coated regiment that lined the curb of Vanderbilt
ave. and Forty y-third-st The rain that had fallen
for an hour previous had ceased and as if to pay
natures tribute TO the glory of the honored dead
every vestige of sullen cloud was scat
tered from the sky by the bright out
flashing of the SUM- An txpectant hush |
fell upon the waiting crowds; out of the station |
came the coffin borne by the gallant felIow-com-
rades of the dead General who had been honored |
with the service and when the catafaque received
its precious burden the impressive strains of the
soldiers drge foated upon the air. The picture |
was one not easy to Obliterate when the dozen
sabe-clad horses started toward Fifth-ave, with |
their funeral-car, towering in the air
i'm it's massive shape of black. With solemn
state 1t swung slowly into the broad ave-
nue.. the deep blue garb Of the Federal escort lining
each side while following it in massive files went
the scarlet piumes of bandsmen and the alternate
blue and white of the tunics worn by the accom- |
panyipg National Guardsmen.
Down Fifth-ave. the procession kept its steady |
way and over the route which led 1T to the City |
Hall. As far as ear could hear sounded the moving |
strains filed with melancholy melody of the funeral
marches of the many bands; as far as the eye |
could reach serried ranks of blue and white and
gray flashed cut the coors of the varied soldiery,
out Of each mass sparkling some bright tint OF
plume or epauete or eHussa%an est "a 1na
here and there, rising from some bright level OF
moving troopers, closely furled standard
reared its thick swathngs OF Grape; Oh either
side of the imposing column long fringe of on
looking humanity almost hid the sidewalks from
view, while every hOuse-stcp and window was
1alrly anvc Wltu IOrlnS ans idccS. hCIoSS tno |
fronts of the long rows of buildings ran the thick
embroideries Of mourning and up against the
heavy blue sky the spIendors of many National
banners, dropping at half-stafl, swayed their
Ssrn SSera'y Of "''a Sorrow. "fI fhe great tSronss
that viewed the procession with mournful interest
by their dscorous silence emphasized the grave
grandeur Of the spectacle None OF the cries or
cheers which usually greet the pageant of marching
soldiery mingled with the dull beating of drums or
the mellow tone of buge; all of the usual laughter
and jOvial jostling winch animates the slghtseers
Oh the curbs was missing. and even when the pass