The gold leaf. [volume] (Henderson, N.C.) 1881-1911, 1894-04-19
HENDERSON LEAF--THURsDAY, APRIL 49, 1894.
LETTER FROM WASHINGTON

LETTER FROM WASHINGTON.
The Gold Leafs Special Correspond
emit Writes About Senator Vance's
Death and the Funeral Ceremonies
at the Capital.
419 G, n. W, WASHINGTON, D. c.,
April 18th, "a. !
'sTance is deadr' This was the head
line that struck sorrow to the heart OF
every North Carolinian in Washington
as he glanced at his paper Sunday morn
ing. This is the news that will carry
sorrow with it to North Carolinians
everywhere. Whether he be on the be-
loved soil of the Old State or whether
his lines have fallen in lands beyond the
seas the intelligence that "Vance is dead
will cause his heart to bleed at the loss
OF our hero, our statesman, our friend
At fifteen minutes to eleven O'Clock
Saturday night the summons came, and
the hands that had stricken, and were
now ready to strike, for the cause of his
people were elapsed in the cold embrace
of death; the lips from which so much of
wisdom had issued were sealed forever
and forever; Vance, whom North Car
Olinians loved as few men were ever loved
and whom they delighted to honor, had
passed to the great beyond, to the re-
ward of the just.
1t is not my purpose to attempt u
eulOgy on the life Of Senator Vance, fbr
am unworthy the honor but had | the
language of an Emerson words were I'M
necessary-the splendid deeds of Zebulon
b. Vance are burned deep into the hearts
of all North Carolinians whom he served
with such devotion in those dark, troub-
lous days when only a master hand and
a master mind, as his, could more.
Throughout Sunday the remains of
the Senator, which lay in the front par
Tor of his late residence, No. 1927, Mas
sachusetts avenue, were viewed by nearly
all of his colleagues in the Senate, Vice
President Stevenson, Speaker Crisp,
many Members of the House and large
number OF prominent citizens, especially
those residing here who are natives of
North Carolina.
At 2 O'Clock Monday evening the re-
mains were removed to the "Marble
Room" adjoining the Senate Chamber,
where they lay in state for nearly two
hours, and were again viewed by hun
dreds. l never witnessed a funeral ser
vice in the Senate before and was deeply
interested in and Impressed by the solemn
beauty OF the ceremony. From an ex-
cellent position in the 'Press Gallery"
"a courtesy extended the GOLD LEAF
representative | was enabled to see and
hear all that took place.
At $50 the casket was borne into the
chamber from the marble room, and
placed on the bier in the open area. 1t
was preceded by the committee of ar
engagements of the two Houses and &C
companied by hehonOrary pall-bearers.
Immediately a6terward the Deputy Ser
geant-at-arms, Mr.. Layton, announced
the arrival of the Speaker and members
of the House of Representatives, who
were received standing, and were as
signed to seats on the Democratic side
of the chamber, which had been entirely
vacated. The Speaker took his seat be-
side the Vice President. After a few
minutes OF silence the Chief Justice and
Associate Justices of the Supreme Court
were announced when the assembly again
stood until the Justices, in their splendid
judicial robes, had taken position on the
right The next announcement was "the
President of the United States and his
Cabinet" Again the assembly stood as
the Chief Magistrate passed to the front
to seats on the right of the bier and OPP
posite those occupied by the family The
last to arrive was the English ambas-
sador, who was received with the GUS
tonary honors. He was seated on the
end of the row of chairs occupied by the
President and Cabinet. The galares
were crowded and a number of North
Carolinians who came late were unable
to obtain admission. The gay colors
which are generally so conspicuous in
the ladies' gallery had given place to
more subdued attire, a fact for which l
was grateful, for felt, as did all other
| Carolinians, that it was through respect
for our honored dead. Would that I
| could describe all to your readers more
wildly. The solemn grandeur, however,
appealed to my senses in a manner that
Knocks at my poor attempt. The cere-
| mony may have been only thecustomary
programme for similar occasions but [
could but feel that the assembling of so
| many of the great men and great minds
| OF this great country to do honor to the
memory of the dead statesman were
| especially appropriate and deserved when
| done in honor of "Our Zeb." God rest
| his ashes.
! The funeral procession was formed on
| the eastern piazza of the capitol and re-
moved to the Pennsylvania railroad
station where the funeral train was
waiting There were something over
| of the city, who formed an escort of
| honor to the remains from the capitol
! to the station
Among the numerous and handsome
floral offerings were two beautiful pieces
| from North Carolinians in Washington
one large sheet anchor and the other a
cross of white lilies, perched upon the
| top of which was a dove OF spotless
white-with pinions spread as if about
to take its flight.
At few minutes past nine O'Clock the
special train pulled out of the station,
when the North Carolinians present, with
| bowed and uncovered heads, paid their
last tribute of respect to all that was
mortal OF one OF North Cardinals grand
| est sons. GEO. NJ. NEWELL
Baby Carriages! The prettiest and