New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-01-01
JI'STlN SMITH MORRILL,
i'lo-lSlS.

After the willing hands Of Senate employees who
,od co long served the Senator In life had arranged
.he multitude OF flowers which had been sent, the
IA II the coffin Was removed. disclosing the calm
.,6 ,eocefu face OF the dead statesman. The feat
u-ss still showed rugged strength and frmness.
Tho arms were folded across the breast. Banked
t.eh on The lower part Of the coffin. all about 1t and
covering the desks ~ that OF the presiding officer
was a profusol Of plants. flowers. floral emblems.
Mains ana garands OF leaves. From the White
Irouse conservatory came an exquisite wreath from
the President and Mrs Mckinley. OF pale pink and
rurrle orchids dark russell brown galax leaves OF
North Carolina and long wisps OF palm. The flowers
from the family banked on the coffin. half
huryins it in wealth Of orchids. dark Meteor roses.
cal;as and ferns. Back Of these were solid tiers OF
covers rising ike richly colored terraces to the
upper dais It such a display as is seldom seen.
even In the Senate.
The Chamber Itself bore eloquent testimony
the lifelong services of the Vermont Senator within
IT'S walls The vacant chair and desk. in the front
row and 10 the left Of the presiding officer. long
used by Mr. Morrill,. heavily draped in black
Grape From the walls Of the Chamber hung long
garands and festoons OF smilax leaves. and In ali
the recesses stood tall palms. ferns and plants in
a profusion not before seen in the Senate.
BY Il o'clock the public galleries were filled TO
,yerhowing with people who had braved the driv-
inr rain Exactly 1T noon the ceremony began,
vic,-Prosident Hobart and Speaker Reed taking
seats at the presiding officers desk, while the
President the Cabinet, the Supreme Court JUS
tees Senators and Representatives entered unan-
nounced.
The scene was one Of profound solennity as the
President and other officials entered the Chamber
with bowed heads and eyes turned toward the
palnd. upturned face Of the dead Senator MI.
Mckinley walked with Secretary Gage, proceeding
up the aisle to a large leather chair facing the
coffin and Immediately beside it. This was occupied
BY the President while next &c him, in semi
snria- Lone
Algcr Bliss and Wilson. Postmaster-Gene Smith,
Attorney-General Griess and Mr.. Porter. secretary
20 the President. The large essemblage on the
floor and in the galleries rose and remained stand
ing until the members Of the Presidents party
were seated. Ranged back Of them We're the homo
rary committee of Senators and Representatives.
most Of them whte-haircd and venerable associates
Of Mr. Morrill,. They wore wide white mourning
bands from shoulder 10 hip. Chief Justice Fuller
and Justices Brown and McKenna were with the
large delegation OF Senators and Representatives.
filling the body of the Chamber Ex Senator John
Sherman. who became member Of the House with
Mr Morrill, In 1850. present Directly across
the aisle from the President and to the left OF the
coffin sat the members Of the famiy-James Swan
Morrill, a son. and Dr. and Miss Swami. brother
in-aw and sister-in-law Of the dead Senator. A
number II women also admitted 10 the floor
The Honorary Committee Of Senators consisted
Of Messrs Proctor Hoar. Cuom. Wolcott, Jones
Of Arkansas Chandler German. Tillman. Jones
Of Nevada. Morgan Fairbanks. Faulkner. Mitchell
and Nelson. That OF the House composed OF
Representatives Dinghy, Grout. Powers. HIT
FOss. Mccall. Ba ,khead. Lewis. Wheeler and
Catchings Messrs Dinglcy and Wheeler were not
sble 10 reach the city in time for the ceremony.
A hush fell on The aSsemhlage as the last or the
officials were escorted 70 their seats, and choir.
stationed in the gallery. back OF the presiding
officer IN subducd tones sang Lead kindly
Light" The Rev. T. Bradford Leavitt, OF All
Souls Unitarian Church. where Senator Morrill,
Worship 3D. began the burial service with seiec-
tions from the Psalms His tribute TO the memory
Of Senator Morrill, was heartfelt and eloquent. lie
spoke OF the deep emotions stirred by sublime
spectacl,s Of nature and the same awelike feehns
IN being in tho presence Of so grand and noble
character. resting here after that splendid half-
century Of service IN which he won the admiration
and respect not only Of his State. but OF the whoie
Nation After reviewing Mr.. Morrs long and
notable public service Mr. Leavitt spoke OF the
beauty Of his home and private life In closing he
said Proud Vermont how idle TO attempt 10
eulogize thy son. Here lies a grand old man; one
Of Americas grand old men; an example Of civic
virtue and integrity; pattern for our young "J h
vision Of the best and noblest citizenship IN titS
onward and upward sweep Of this great Repupnc;;
Again the voices Of the choir nodted IN SUI
Gued tones through the Senate Chamber, snsihs
Nearer My God. 20 Thee" Then with upin,teu
hands the blind chaplain Of the senate. the fSS,
DIT Mlburn delivered the closing invocatlon' ne
voice trembling with emotion as ne eNtoieu w. .
sweet gracious end noble character OF senator
II was ! o'clock when the ceremony closed, ana
the President and Cabinet members LED me wa!
PAS me coffin taking hnai look a, tho The
conn remained IN the Senate Chamber, where II
will be left until borne TO the train tomorrow
morning. Oh the way 10 Montpelier W.