Evening star., 1901-09-17
Washington Is

seated between victory, with trumpet IN
hand and Freedom. with beaming counte-
nance, proclaiming the heritage of the
new world. Behind them, with united
hand alegorical figures represented the
thirteen original states that had set an ex-
ample of self-government for the world
and proved that free people may create
a government and provide laws as a guide
to their conduct The picture was COM
plete with armed liberty representing the
downfall OF monarchy
Tributes of Affection.
In the rotunda the statues of Lincoln and
Grant looked upon the bier of the martyred
President. The simplicity of the prepara-
tions for the funeral was marked. There
was no drapery of black within the rotunda
except that used on the catafaique But
early in the day tributes of the love of the
people began arriving at the Capitol in the
form of floral pieces, and before the hour
for the services had arrived hundreds Of
beautiful conceptions worked in rare blooms
had arrived and were placed about the cir
cular walls of the big apartment Rarest
orchids were provided in the greatest pro-
fusion and every variety of fragrant
flower, breathing of the beauty and love of
nature. used in the almost endless va
riety of floral designs that had come from
loyal men and women who thus gave
partial expression of their appreciation of
the martyred President who had been the
victim of the assassin. who had not aimed
his weapon at him. but only at the repre-
sentative of the whole American people.
An enormous floral piece bore an emblem
From the Army in the Philippines" and
another of magnificent design and large
enough to tower over the heads of those
who stood before it to admire its beauty
bore card indicating that it was the token
of loyal reverence from the pension office.
Men and women who had known the trials
of war, many of whom had been the COM
rades of the dead President. Joined to send
this magnificent token of esteem and love.
As the hour for holding the service ap-
preached the space along the walls of the
rotunda was no longer able to hold the
floral pieces
Hundreds of Floral Tributes.
The available wall space in the rotunda
being taken up. the floral pieces were placed
on the upper landing of the east staircase
on either side OF the passageway kept open
for the funeral party. These hundreds of
floral tributes were sent by governments in
every part of the world. by foreign lega-
tions. residents in this city. by commercial,
social and patriotic associations and by
citizens of every class. A magnificent ere
maiden hair ferns forming a column five
feet high was sent from Chinese residents
of Philadelphia. The president of the Ar
gentine Republic sent a floral piece with an
inscription on silver plate. reading: ITO
the memory of President William Mckin-
ley. President of the United States, whose
noble character and republican virtues will
leave an everlasting trace in the history of
the American world"
Funeral Party's Arrival.
1t was 1875 o'clock when the faint echo
of bugles sounded through the rotunda,
heralding the approach of the mournful
cortege Gradually the bugles sounded
louder, until suddenly they were merged
into the mellow strains of Nearer. My God,
to Thee the band took up that re-
frain. Those who had been waiting in their
seats arose with common impulse.
AS they did so the mourners entered the
eastern door of the Capitol preceded by
MAJOR General Brooke, L. 5. A, and Chief
Marshal General Boynton-
The coffin was borne on the Shoulders of
five soldiers the right side anl five
sailors on the left. 1t was lowered gently
to rest on the catafalque with the head TO
the west.
Over the bier was draped huge siiken
flag and on this were placed several mag
ni1cent floral pieces. As soon as the coffin
was in place additional floral designs were
placed at it's head, foot and sides.
The seats in the first row of the circle
which surrounded the catafaIque were
taken by the family of the late President.
who sat on the north side. by President
Roosevelt and former President Cleveland,
on the opposite side and by the cabinet
ministers and members of the diplomatic
,f,arS of thel S,y.ra
Court including Chief Justice Fuller and
Justices White, Brown and Brewer.
Services in the Rotunda.
1t was fifteen minutes before the assem-
blage was seated. At five minutes before
Ii O'Clock the national service began. A
sound from the organ brought the assem-
blage to it's feet. and when the words of
the hymn, Lead, Kindly Light" rang in
mournful strains and was re-echoed
through the great edfice heads dropped and
tears filed all eyes.
After the hymn Rev. Dr. Naylor stepped
to the pulpit and offered fervent prayer.
His voice trembled with emotion as he in
voked divine blessing on the widow of the
dead President, and the deep tones of the
audience as all voices were joined in the
words of the Lords Prayer, seemed to roll
like distant thunder emphasis of the
words of the supplicant.
The prayer follows.
Rev. DIR. MAYORS Prayer.
"Oh Lord God our Heavenly Father,
bereaved nation cometh to Thee in its deep
sorrow To whom can we go in such an
hour as this but unto Thee? Thou art able
20 comfort and support the afflicted. Death
strikes down the tallest and best of men,
and consequent changes are continually oc-
curing among nations and communities.
But We have been taught that Thou art the
same yesterday, today and forever: that
with Thee there is no yaria bleness nor the
least shadow of turning. So in the midst of
our grief we turn to Thee for help.
-We thank Thee, Lord, that years
ago Thou didst give TO this nation man
whose loss mourn today.
We thank Thee for the pure and unsel-
fish life he was enabled to live in the midst
of so eventfu an experience.
I'VE thank Thee for the faithful and dis
tIaguished services which he was enabled
to render TO Thee, to our country and to
the world.
I'VE bless Thee for such citizen, for