The Wichita daily eagle., 1893-01-31

WAsHNGToy, Jan. 3O-All that remain
I'd earthly of James Gillespie Blaine was
laid away in its last tenement at Oak Hill
cemetery this afternoon. The funeral
that preceded the simple rites at the grave
was one of the most impressive in history.
Great as he was as q civic hero; renowned
as be was as a statesman; worshiped as he
was as an American, and exalted as he
was as a mantle pomp and pageantry Of
power had no place in the ceremony that
attended his body to its final rest. No
soldiery moved with slow and solemn
step to mingie its musketry in a final
crash of farewell; there was no bIars OF
brass; no roll OF mufTied drums. Through
the streets and avenues, where the people
stood with uncovered heads, there was a
long procession, and the representatives Of
n sOrrowing nation paid the dead man the
tribute OF their tears.
THE FUNERAL.
Mr. Blaire could not have a private
funeral. Effort was made to comply with
his own Understood wishes aud with the
expressed desires Of bis family in this re-
gard, but the surging wave Of public in
tereSt swept over the barriers imposed,
and made his private funeral
one Of the most impressive of
public demonstrations in honor of the
dead. The most eminent men in the ma
tion stood around his bier. All business
in the nations capitol was suspended dur
ing the period when the funeral services
were in progress. The presence of the
president and cabinet, the supreme Judges,
high officials of congress and of the diplO-
matte corps was not more significant than
the homage of the waiting crowds, who, in
Il l,
which the funeral cortege passed.
The second floor of the residence, where
the body lay in its cedar casket, closely
sealed, was fairly embowered with floral
tributes. The casket itself rested on
huge bed of roses, violets, palm leaves and
ferns, sent by Airs. Emmons Blaine. This
floral piece was about nine feet long by
four feet wide, the flowers artistiCally CIV
ing the combination of colors and the de-
sign of an oriental rug. A large ship Of
state sent by the knights of Reciprocity
was near by, ald around the pedestals on
which the coffin rested and upon the coffin
itself were a wreath of orchids and roses
from President Harrison, a wreath of
white roses and Violets from Mrs Zacha-
riah Chandler, and simple wreath of
v!olets tied with ribbon from James g.
Blaine, Jr. Among others who sent flow
ers were Mrs. EmmOns Blaine, Mrs. White
law Reid, General Alger, Secretary Tracy
ana Mrs. JOnn n. Mclean.
The president entered, accompanied by
Mrs. Mckee and Private Secretary Hal
ford and Lieutenant Parker. The vice
president was accompanied by Mrs. and
Miss Morton. Then came the membe of
the cabinet, Chief Justice Fuller and the
supreme court, senators and representa-
tlves and their wives and daughters, and
many other distinguished and well known
perSonageS. Not all those who had re-
Quested or had received invitations to the
house could obtain admission to the man.
sion, and many pertorce remained in the
long line of carriages which filled the ad
jacent streets Though a concourse of
several thousand people occupied Lafay-
ette square facing she Blaine residence,
and though the doors and windows of the
houses adjoining were throngei with
spectators. and the double line of car
rlages-l5O or more in number-eXtended |
far along pennsylvanis avenue in
front Of the treasury and war, state
and navy department buildings there was
no disorder or confusion. A marked air
OF deCOrOus solemnity attended even the
outside demonstrations
The ceremonies inside the house were
lmpressiyely simple. Rev. DR.. Hamln of
the Church of the Covenant, standing be-
side the casket, in a low Tone delivered
the Presbyterian service for the dead AS
he did so Mr.. Walter DsmrosCh touched
euc AeNS Nl tne plADO 70 a SLOW OlTEe, ! MS
completed the brief and impressive serv-
ices, and the casket was closed and tender
iy borne to the hvarse. Solemnly and in
silence the family and the mourning
guests left the house which has been 50
frequently invaded by the angel of death,
and the procession wended its way slowly
10 the church. Outside the house the
street was thronged with spectators, who
revereutly dOtfed their hats as the pail
bearers deposited their burden in the
hearse, while the attendants temporarily
buried il under as many flowers as could
be placed therein. The cortege then start
ed for the church.
IL was exactly at 1880 o'clock p. m.
when the slow and solemn organ
music announced the arrival OF the funeral
party at the door OF the church As the
sad procession moved up the aisle Mr.. /
Damrosch who was at the organ, PLAYED
an improvisation made up of several /
themes of hymns which Mr. Blaine loved. |
All present rose and remained standing As
the funeral party moved down the aisle
DR. Hamln, the pastor, walked at the