The Washington times., 1894-04-17
SENATOR VANCE'S FUNERAL
Impressive Obsequies Over the Remains
at the Capitol Yesterday.
PRESIDENT CLEVELAND THERE
Cabinet, Diplomatic Corps, and Members Of
the House Also Attend the Services in the
Senate Chamber-Special Train Left for
Asheville with the Remains Last Night.

At the conclusion Of the chaplain's invoca-
tion in the Senate yesterday, Senator Ran
som, Of North Carolina arose, and in pathetic
and eloquent words announced the death OF
his colleague. He said:
Mr. President, it is my melancholy duty to an
nounce to the Senate the death OF Hon Zeb-
ulon Baird Vance, late a Senator from North
Carolina. Though his long-continued and se-
rious illness ought to have prepared all OF us for
the sad event, still, beguiled by his own cheerful
and hopeful spirits, none of us had dreamed that
the white horses were coming so rapidly to his
door.
His death shocks to the depths of our hearts.
1t is a calamity a sorrow, a deep public and per-
sonal bereavement great man has fallen IN
our midst. great patriot, great statesman,
great speaker, great thinker, great ss actor
has passed away from our sight 1or TINS me-
He died at his post of duty, with his complete
armor on, with his face to the front, courageous,
hopeful, useful to the last Suffering DID not
break down his proud spirit, nor dim his noble
intellect, nor shake his fearless fortltude run
of years, but still in the strength OF his eminent
faculties, crowned with exalted honors, but still
animated with yet higher aspirations and
promise of doing good, physically wrecked ana
overcome with incurable maiadies, he stood
firmly in the line of his comrades and serenely
gathered his robes around him at the last mo-
ment and stepped from earth 10 eternity with
the dignity of a Senator and the faith OF
Christian
He has been the most beloved and the most
honored son of the great state of North Carolina.
From the evernowing ocean, across the hills and
plains and valleys TO the majestic mountain tops,
ho was n familiar and most dear object IN the
hearts and homes of all our people. Standing
by his lifeless form to-day it is my sacr ed duty,
representing a commonwealth of nearly 2,O00OW
souls, to shed upon his mortal ashes the tears
OF their affection and deepest sorrow
At this moment the throbbing hearts OF thou
sands are following his silent march TO the tomb.
As think of the short interval at which he fol-
lows the beloved Georgian from the folding doors
of this chamber TO the last rest II looks as II two
tall oaks which stood over and shaded our
hearthstones had fallen in the early evening
after the storms and heat of the day had passed
over. and before the shades of night and Winter
had fallen upon their autumnal leaves.
Colquitt and Vance had done their duty TO
their country and their fellow-men, and
now can only venture in the name OF the
stricken Senate, with the gentlest sympathy, TO
send 10 the true and devoted woman who for
months by day and night, with untiring vigilance,
has stood by him like an angel OF light and love,
our heartfelt coincidence and tenderness, and TO
of their fathers life. May our Almighty Father
in His supreme and infinite goodness bestoW on
them His strength and comfort
Senator Ransom then sent to the clerks
desk and had read the customary resolution,
winch was unanimously agreed to, declaring
that the Senate had heard with great sorrow
of the death OF Senator Vance. and ordering
that committee of nine Senators be ap-
pointed to accompany the remains to North
Carolina: that the House of Representatives
be notified of his death and invited TO attend
the funeral, and that the Sergeant-at-Arms
should have charge OF the funeral.
In accordance with the terms OF this resolu-
ton, the Vice President appointed the follow
ing committee: Messrs. Ransom, George,
Gray, Dubois, Smith. White. Manderson.
Blackburn and Chandler.
The resolution of Senator Ransom extend
ing an invitation to attend the funeral at 4
D. IN. yesterday to the President and his
Cabinet, the Chief Justice and associate JUS
tees of the Supreme Court, the diplomatic
corps, the major general commanding the
army, and the senior admiral OF the navy was
also adopted.
The following honorary pall-bearers en- the
part of the Senate were appointed by the
Vice President: Senators Morrill,, Sherman,
Harris, and Mcpherson.
As a further mark of respect the Senate
took a recess until $50 this afternoon.
When the Senate reconvened at $50 this
afternoon, after the recess taken out of
respec: to the late Senator Vance, the cham
Der presented a metamorphosed appearance.
The chairs of the Senators had been crowded
more closely together and additional seating
capacity was obtained by bringing in large
number of light folding chairs and placing
them in every possible space. Large up
uOlSltEeu idu ptcn pldCcu III tuc Stlul-
circular space facing the Vice Presidents dais,
those for the family OF the deceased states
man and invited guests being on his left and
for the President and other officials on the
right On the clerks desk was Il massive
floral piece. representing broken column,
composed of the dark copper-colored leaves
of the galix, a North Carolina mountain
plant while at the foot OF the shaft was the
emblem of peace. the palm branch, while
tvyina1 nFOnpt If wreath of In Franco
roses. This was the tribute from the de-
ceased statesman colleagues in the Senate.
In the recess behind the Vice President was
n tall waving palm, fianked on either side by
North Carolina first; banked in the corners of
the chamber and at the foot of each pilaster
were palms or frs. The galleries were
crowded with distinguished audience long
before the hour Of $50, ladies largely pre-
ponderating. In the front bench of the ladies'
gallery was Mrs. Nellie Grant Sartoris.
The casket was borne from the marble