Weekly expositor. (Brockway Centre, Mich.) 1882-1894, 1888-08-23
REQUIESCAT IN PACE.
Sheridan Laid to Rest at the Soldiers
Silent Home.
Simple But Impressive Ceremon les.

ington on the 10th inst, and lay in state
until tho hour for the funeral the next day.
The last sad rites were performed accord
ing TO the ordinances OF the Roman Catho-
lie church. The event was marked by
general suspension of public business, the
ceremonies throughout were in perfect
accord with the character of the man. and
there was an almost unmilitary simplicity
IN all the arrangements.
The principal burial services were held
in st. Matthews church. As soon as the
church was opened those bearing cards of
admission were permitted by the police
Gordon TO enter the square in which the
church is located. AT the entrance TO the
church were number of military officers
who acted as ushers, and seated the people
as fast as they arrived. Among the most
prominent to arrive first was Secretary
Fairchild, who was escorted TO seat near
the front A few minutes later, Secretary
Villas and Postmaster General Dickinson
arrived. Secretary Endicott and Gen.
Sherman came few minutes later, and
were seated to the left hand side aisle. At
. 40 Mrs. Sheridan, leaning on the arm OF
Col. M. V. Sheridan, and preceded by Capt.
Lawton, as usher, appeared, and they were
shown seats in chairs placed in front OF the
first pew
John Sherman followed, accompanied by
two women of the family. Gen. and Mrs.
ltucker the parents of Mrs. Sheridan, came
ly behind Mrs. Sheridan. The personal
staf OF Gen. Sheridan and the physicians
who attended him during his illness occu-
pied pews in the rear OF the relatives A
few moments later the President and Mrs.
Cleveland and Mrs. Folsom arrived. All
the members Of the diplomatic corps were
present. About 200 army men of varying
rank, dressed ia their bright uniforms, were
present. Many of these wore medals Of
honor and special decorations. The judi
ciary was represented by Justice Harlan
and Solicitor General jerks, while Speaker
Carlisle, Senators ingalls,, Evarts, Allison,
Blackburn, Paddock, Edmunds, Chandler
and Reps. Stahlnecker and Mahoney repre-
sented congress.
Promptly at $50, Rev. FIR. Mackin, cele.
brant, and Frs. Kervick and Ryan as dea
cons, preceded by a number of altar boys
and acolytes, forming procession, emerged
from the sacristy and began solemn
requiem mass for the dead. Cardinal Glib
bons occupied throne to the left of the al
tar. The service was most solemn and i'm
pressiye. The choir sang Schmidts mass.
At the offertory the hymn "Jesu Salvador
Mundi' was sung with grand effect. AT
the special request Of Mrs. Sheridan the
usual orchestral Accomplishments were
omitted.
At the conclusion of the mass, His
Emincnce Cardinal Gibbons assembled the
pulpit, and after announcing as his text
"How is the valiant man fallen that de-
livered Israeli in clear ringing tones de-
livered the following address. He said;
Well might the children Of Israel bewail
their great captain, who led them so often
TO battle and victory, and we'll may this ma
ton grievo for the loss Of the mighty chief
tain whose mortal remains now lie before
as.
In every village and town of the country,
from the Atlantic TO the Pacific, his name is
uttered with sorrow and his great deeds re
corded with admiration.
The death of Gen. Sheridan will be Ia
mented, not only by the north, but also by
the south l know their chivalry. / know
| their magnanimity; their warm and alice
Tomato nature; and am sure that the sons
| of the southland, especially those who
! fought in the late war, will join in the gen
eral lamentation, and will lay garland Of
mourning upon the bier Of the great gen
eral-and this universal sympathy, coming
| from all sections of the country, irrespec-
tive of party lines, is easily accounted for
when we consider that under an overruling
| Providence, the war in which Cen Sheri-
dan took so conspicUouSa part, has resulted
in increased blessings to every state of our
common country.
In surveying the life of Gen. Sheridan, it
seems 10 me that these were his prominent
features and the salient points in his char
acter-undaunted hero;sm, combined with
gentleness of disposition. Strong as lion
in war; gentle as a lamb in peace Bold,
daring, fearless, undaunted, unhesitatlnF,
his courage rising with the danger, ever
fertile in resource, ever prompt in eXecu-
! ton; his rapid movements never lmpellCd
! by blind impulse, but ever prompted BY a
calculating mind. / have neither the time
nor the ability to dwell upon his military
career from the time he left West Point till
the close of the war. Let me select one in
cident which reveals to us his quickness OF
conception and readiness of execution. l
refer to his famous ride in the valley of
Virginia.
AS he is advancing along the road he sees
his routed army rushing pell-men towards
him. Quick as thought-by the glance Of
his eye, by the power of his words, by the
strength of his will, he hurls back that liv-
ing stream on the enemy, and snatches
victory from the jaws OF defeat.
How bold in war; how gentle in peace
On some few occasions in Washington !
had the pleasure Of meeting Gen. Sheridan
socially, in private circles. l was forcibly
struck by his gentle disposition, his amiable
manner, his unassuming department., his
eye beaming with good nature, and his
voice scarcely raised above a whisper. ]
said to myself, "Is this bashful man and
retiring citizen the great general of the
American armyl Is this the hero of so
many battlesN
Those who were admitted into the inner
circle of Gen. Sherdan's home need not be
told that it was peaceful and happy one.
He was q fond husband and affectionate
father, and lovingly devoted to his wife
and children. hope i am not trespasslng
upon the sacred privacy of domestic life
when l state that the generals sickness
was accelerated, If not aggravated, by a
fatguing journey which he made in order
to be home in time TO assist at domestic
celebration in which one of his children
was the central figure
Above all, Gen. Sheridan was christian.
He died fortified by the consultations OF
religion, having his trust in the saving
mercics of our Redeemer, and humble
hope in u blessed immortality.
Comrades and companions of the illus
trious dead, take hence your great leader
bear him to his last resting place; carry
him gently, lovingly; and though you may
not hope to attain 10 his exalted rank, YOU
will strive at least TO emulate him by the
integrity of your private life; by your dc
votion to your country and by unfolding
the honor of your military profession.
When the cardinal concluded the priests
and seminarians and altar boys, with the
cardinal occupying a seat at the head of
the catafalque, gathered about the bier.
The cardinal burned incense about the
caslxet and sprinlxled it with holy water.
He then pronounced the dissolution, the
seminarians chanted the benedictus, and