The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1898-09-18
HELD IN WASHINGTON
ATTENDED BY FOREIGN MINIS
TIERS, PRESIDENT AND CA
BINET.
AND VAST CROWDS FROM PRIVATE LIFE
Cardinal Gibbons the celebrant. The Ceremony
Official in Character. The Cardinals
Touching Tribute to the Beau.
tY Of her Character.
ty of her Character.

Washington, Sept 17-An imposing
funeral mass commemorative of the
murdered Empress Elizabeth of Austria,
was celebrated at st. Matthews Catholic
church to-day, Cardinal Gibbons being
the celebrant. The ceremony was Off
cial in character, under the auspices of
the Austrian Minister, and among those
in attendance were President Mckinley
and the members of his Cabinet, the
Ambassadors and Ministers of foreign
governments in their brilliant diplomatic
uniforms, representatives of the United
States army, navy and Supreme court,
and a large gathering from private life.
The Austrian Minister, Mr.. Won Hengel-
muller, was attended by all the mem
bers of his staff The military attache,
Baron Riedl, in the uniform of the
Austrian Imperial Guard, and Captain
Rodler, naval attache, in the uniform of
the Austrian Navy, acted as ushers.
Minister Won Hengelmuller wore the
striking costume of the hungarian
''Magnat," denoting high diplomatic
rank. 1t was of somber black, satin
coat. knee breeches and high boots and
a heavy black velvet cloak hung from
the left shoulder. His sword, scabbard
and hilt We're hid with windings of
crepe. AS the carriages of the Presi-
dent and Cabinet reached the church.
Mr.. Won Hengelmuller left his pew and
met the President at the church door,
escorting him to a pew to the front and
right of the chancel. With the Presi-
dent were Secretaries Gage and Wilson,
Postmaster General Emory Smith, and
Acting Secretary Adee. Back of Them
as representatives of the army, sat two
of the officers of General Miles staff,
Colonel Maus and Lieutenant Colonel
Michler. in fatigue uniform, while the
judiciary was represented by Justice
Harlan of the United States Supreme
court.
In the absence of the British Ambas-
sador, Sir Julian Pauncefote, he sent
a large floral cross Of white roses and
carnations, which was in the middle of
the chancel facing the congregation.
The Embassy was represented by Cap
tain Paget and Mr.. Young.
The church interior was simply ar
ranged for the occasion. Back of theI
chancel hung long crepe draperies, COW
ering the windows and darkening thel
altar The pulpit was draped with
heavy bands of crepe. Cardinal Glib
bons was assisted in the mass by a
large number Of priests and acoytes, the
usual rich yestments being put aside fori
those Of black and white. In his SER
mon the Cardinal said a grievOus crime
had shocked the civilized world; thel
hand of an assassin had struck down an
inoffending lady, the consort of an EN-
peror of vast and historic regions. The
crime had occurred. not when the EN-
press was seated on her throne, amid
pomp and majesty, which might have
excited the passions of some fanatic,
but while she was peacefully walking the
street. ''The man that strikes at the
ruler of a nation is an enemy of social
order" declared the Cardinal Public
peace tranquility depend upon the exc
cntion of the law; on the ruler or eXecu-
tive of nation depends the execution
of law and the maintenance of stable
government. 1t behooyes us, therefore,
to uphold the head of the nation, whose
person as Il ruler is sacred. The Car
dinal paid touching tribute to the
beauty of character of the late Empress,
and asked that the prayers be given, not
only for the repose Of her soul, but also
for the solace of the stricken Emperor.
Among all the tributes of sympathy
which had gone to the Emperor, he
said, none had been more touching ana
gracious than that of the President Of
the United States. The Cardinal re-
called the worldwide sympathy com
ing to the United States on the assas-
sination Of President Garfield, WHICH
he said, leveled all partisanshp in this
country, bringing together Democrats.
Republicans, Administration men ana
anti-administratio men, in common
sorrow. Thus out of the blood OF 4
martyred President was sown the seed
Of patriots, and the Cardinal hoped that
ont Of this last abhorrent tragedy would
come also good lessons and good results.
The music following the mass was OF
high order. Following the ceremony
the President and his party returned TO
the White House.