The sun., 1897-04-28
TRANSFER OF THE TOMB.
ADDRESS ny THE PRESIDENT OF
THE UNITED STATES.

ming and end OF the ceremonies at the tomb. At
sunrise the officers of Grant Post No. 1927, Grand
Army Of tho Republic, OF Brooklyn, hoisted on
the Flagstaff north of the tomb the largest Amer
lean flag ever unfurled. The flag is thirty-alvo
by fifty feet Tho pole upon which 1t was holDted
stands about 500 feet north of the tomb, and
was gift from the Daughters of tho American
Revolution. 1t is 100 fcot in height. Seven
hours later, when Mayor Strong had accepted
the monument for tho Greater Now York from
the Grant Monument Association, n Thousand
voices, men and women, led by 100 musicians
under tho direction of Frank Damrosch, sang
the national anthem. Tho great flag and thou
sands Of other flags at the tomb snapped like
whips in the stifest kind OF breeze as the great
chorus rose over tho heads of the thousands upon
thousands.
The ceremonies were announced TO begin at IL
o'clock. AT that time not half the seats on the
stands, either at tho tomb or in the neighbor-
hood, were occupied. Indeed. at that hour the
final decorations Of the tomb were In progress.
Each of tho pillars was enciroled by q great
scarf of royal purple silk, which cnvelopcd
sheaths Of cypress leaves. The speakers stand.
from which President Mckinley was to be
heard, was being adorned with 1000 American
Beauty roses. Tho low fonce of new pine boards
which separated tho Presidents party, the
Diplomatic Corps, and the distinguished guests
In political and private life from the main as
sembly at the front Of the tomb was shrouded
with royal purple cloth, over which hung
continuous wreaths OF laurel leaves. The
heavy rain storm OF tho night before
had prevented tho completion of the decora-
tions, and doubtless tho biting wind and
the sudden cold delayed the assembling Of the
great congregation at the tomb. The wind
whistlod through tho leafess elms at the west of
the tomb, on tho banks of the Hudson. The
river muddy and ruffied, and the warships,
decorated with the flags of all nations, rose and
fell at their anchorage. The clouds overhead
were alternately white and leaden, but peeping
through them was the clearest blue sky and tho
brightest sun that New York has had in many a
day. II was not warm sun. Its brightness
rather intensified tho effect Of the bitter Winds
and yet the white squadron in the river below
never looked prettier than when this sun glinted
on the white hulls.
ASSEMBLY OF THE MULTITUDE
At 10 o'clock a telegraph message announced
that President Mckinley had started for tho
tomb. At that time only the black frock-coated
committeeman, all wearing high silk hats, were
there. There was struggling assembly in the
neighboring stands. and those who had worked
assiduously to make the event of the day a sue
cess became concerned. 1t was feared that the
cold snap would prevent a large attendance but
1t turned out later on that inasmuch as all who
had been invited to participate In tho ceremonies
at the tomb had been provided with numbered
seats, they were taking their time in getting
upon the ground. The men struggled along,
wearing heavy winter overcoats with collars
turned up. The women were enveloped In fur
wraps and spring bonuets, and the vast majority
brought with them lorgnettes and lunch boxes.
Just in front of the speakers stand was little
~f,
English, German, French, and in fact, all
tions were represented at the newspaper tables.
The great men from Washington got around
slowly Senator Foraker of Ohio, Senator Fair
banks Of Indiana, and ex-Gov. Cornell of New
York were among the first to arrive. They held
on to their hats and turned their faces from tho
bitter wind. Senator Hanna went to his seat,
accompanied by Senator Daniel Here were two
political opposites, Mr.. Hanna having led the
Presidential compaign for Mr.. Mckinley, and
Senator Daniel having been among the foremost
at Chicago to precipitate the nomination of
Bryan.
There was a healthy band stationed within
tho pillars of the tomb. 1t was patriotic band,
for the strains Of Hail. Columbia" and My
Country. Tis of Thee" foated out pretty con-
tinuousy, with intervals Of The Star-Spsngled
Banner" and Aud Lang Syne." The crowd
continued 10 assemble slowly, and 1t was OBJ
served that in addition to tho lorgnettes and
lunch boxes many brought cameras. and the
women raised their parasols to protect them
from the biting blasts.
DIPLOMATIC CORPS WITHOUT ITS FEATHERS.
Along toward IL o'clock there was a notice
able filling up OF the seats Archbishop Corri-
gan, J. Addison Porter. the Presidents private
secretary, and Chauncey NJ. Depew wended their
way to the speakers stand, and in looking over
the throng in front they observed that the Chi
nese Minister and his private secretary had got
mixed up with the ordinary folks outside Of tho
inclosure. All haste was made to direct the Chi
nese Minister and the secretary to their proper
places. The Chinese Minister was attired in his
diplomatic dress Of brighthued silks, and over
his shoulders thrown a great silk robe of
olive green, which was buttoned tightly at tho
throat He wore a thick stiff close-lttine
black silk skull cap, which was adorned In
front with ruby rs big as hens egg. OF the
pigeon-blood hue Just below this ruby on tho
hat was tremendous diamond. Nearly all tho
other members OF the diplomatic corps were
dressed like American citizens, with their coats
well buttoned up around their throats and high
silk hats on their heads. Sir Julian Pauncefote,
whom Chauncey NJ. Depew had in tow. 1t is true.
wore his full dress trousers. but otherwise you
could not have told him from successful New
York merchant. The Turkish Minister looking
not at all warlike. was dressed like an American
citizen. with the exception of his fez. The fact
that the diplomatic corps did not appear in their
feathers and finery WAS great disappointment
to many who had looked forward TO sight of
them in full regimentals. The French Ambas-
sador had monoole in his right eye.
MRS. MKNLEv AND THE PRESIDENT ARRIVE
The band played on and the seats began to I'LL
up to the melodies OF Home, Sweet Home"
Maryland, My Maryland" Yankee Doodle" :"
and Dixie" Gen. Tracy. Seth Low. Frank
=. Witherbce Gen. Nelson A. Miles, Charles
Stewart Smith. sheriff Tamsen Representative
Low and Mcclellan, all holding on to their hats.
Immediately after II o'clock, as il by pre-
concerted arrangement. the Thousands upon
thousands rushed In TO take their seats.
They were just in time. Tho booming OF
the guns on ho warships announced that Presi-
dent Mckinley WAS at hand and as he was
driven rapidly up in the direction Of the tomb
Mrs; Mckinley was escorted to her seat Just be-
Porter and the family physician OF the MeIkin.
loys in Washington, Dir. Bates: Mrs. Mckinley
wore the royal purple gown In which she was
attired when she entered the Senate chamber on