Milford chronicle., 1901-09-20
THE CAPITALS
LAST TRIBUTE
Washington Bids Goodbye to the
Martyred President.
TOUCHING SERVICES in RoTUNDA
The cortege Of Military and Civic
Bodies solemnIy Wends Its Way
From the White House Between
Dense Linesof fearful PeopIe-Mem-
cries Of March and September.

" e7NOAAs DNBbs All that Is
mortal of William Mckinley is speed
ing toward its last earthly resting
place at his beloved home in Canton
after the nation had officially and with
state ceremony paid its tribute of re-
speceo and love to the memory of it's
stricken chief magistrate This was
almost the closing act in the awful
tragedy which has drenched the civil
lied world in tears. Beneath the great
white dome of the capitol funeral SER
vices of state were held yesterday over
the remains of the dead President. 1t
was eminently fitting that the services
should be conducted in that beautiful
rotunda hallOwed by the history of the
last sad rites of two other martyrs to
the cause of the republic.
AS befitted the occasion and the char
acter of the man whose remains were
lying cold and rigid in the narrow en-
brace of the metallic casket, the SER
vices were simple. They were con-
Quoted in accordance with the rites Of
the Methodist Episcopal church of
which President Mckinley was a life
long member. Consisting only of two
hymns, song, a prayer, an address
and a benediction, they were beautiful
and solemnly impressive Gathered
around the bier were representatives
of every phase Of American national
life, including the President and the
only surviving ex-President of the
United States, together with represen-
tatives at this capitol of almost every
nation of the earth. Great Britain,
France, Germany, Italy, Spain, and all
the republics to the southwark of the
United States mingled their tears with
those of the American people.
Bishop Andrews Presided.
The venerable bishop Edward G.
Andrews, of Ohio, the oldest bishop
of the Methodist Episcopal church,
then took his position at the head of
the bier. A gentle breeze through the
rotunda stirred the delicate blooms
which lay upon the coffin and the
Peace that passeth all understand
AAA6 oOCAAG0 " ACoA upOn lAlC N0lCl dDlE
mans cOuntenance as he began his
eulogy of the life and works of William
Mckinley. His words were simple but
his whole heart was in every one Of
them. His tribute to the Christian for
titude of the dead President was i'm
pressive. Upon the conclusion of the
sermon the audience, as if by prear-
rangement, Joined the choir in singing
Nearer My God to Thee" All present
seemed to be imbued with a sentiment
of hallowed resignation as the divine
blessing was asked by the Rev. w. H.
Chapman, acting pastor of the Metro
politan NJ. E. church, upon both the
living and the dead
Mrs. Mckinley, bereft Of husband and
Frustrated by her overwhelming sor-
row, did not attend the services at the
capitol. 1t was deemed wise by those
now nearest and dearest to her that
she should not undergo the ordeal her
attendance would entail upon her. She
remained at the White House comfort
ed by every attention that loving
thoughtfulness could suggest. Arrange
ments for the movement of the funeral
cortege from the White House to the
capitol were completed after the re-
mains of the President had been de-
posted in the historic east room of
the mansion.
Memories of March and September.
The morning dawned gray and
dreary. The sky was overcast with
low flying clouds. Dashes of rain fell
at intervals, but despite this discom
fort tens of thousands of sorrowing
people appeared early upon the streets
Both sides of Pennsylvania avenue
from the White House to the capitol
were massed with an impenetrable cor
don of people wishing in this way tt
pay final tribute of love and respect
, for the dead. AS the funeral cortege
escorted by troops representing every
department of the nations MARTA
service and by representatives of re
ligious and civic organizations, passed
down the broad thoroughfare to the
solemn notes of the Dead March
From Saul" walled by the bands, The
I sorrowing people. barred their heads
despite the rain, and the many tear
stained faces bespoke their grief NOR;
eloquently than words. 1t was a 81
lent throng With aching hearts al
remembered that only a few months
ago the dead President, then in thu
fullness of life and triumph, hat
passed along that same thoroughfar
to be inaugurated a second time a
President The flags that had futtereu
greeting 10 him in March were furle
and crepe bedecked in September
AS with solemn and cadenced trea
the procession moved down the ave
nue. the people recognized as one G
he mourners their former PresideR
Z Grover Cleveland, who had come t
pay his tribute to his successor. The
recognized, too, their new Presiden
upon whom the responsibilities {
chief executive had been thrust S
unexpectedly. With silent salute the
greeted him, and with them he mil
gled his tears in sorrow for the dead.
At the conclusion of the funeral ser
Ices in the rotunda the casket lid wa
removed in order that the immediat
friends of the dead President migl
. pc afforded the comfort of a last glanC
at his features, and that the peop
whom he loved and who loved hi
might pass the bier for the same pu
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