The Washington times., 1901-09-26
American Indecorum.

In view of the terrible afniction 10
which The Government and people of
the United States were subjected in the
assassination Of the much loved Presi-
dent Mckinley, the press and public
of foreign nations have been extremely
kind and sympathetic in their COM
ments upon the tragedy and the nation
al grief. Nearly all that has been said
and written has been at a long dis
tanee, but we have one exception to the
rule in mind
Mr. Moberly Bell, manager of the
London Times" was in Washington
on the day Of the state funeral, and
cabled his impressions regarding that
event to his journal. An extract from
his despatch is worth reading by the
citizens of this District, who should
take careful note that ii evidently was
written with a most careful desire to
say the best and pleasantest things of
US that the author could, notwithstand-
ing the amazement under which, OBJ
viously, he was laboring. Among other
things, Mr.. Bell wrote the following:
"a recent book calls the United States the
land OF contrasts / have fully appre-
ciated the appropriateness OF the title until to-
day The feeling throughout the country at
the death Of President Mckinley / believe to be
general and intense. The progress of the late
Presidents remains from Buffalo to Washington
was accompanied by signs of iinpassioned re-
srect and affection. The crowds at the stations
met the train singing Nearer, Ny God, to Thee,
which seems an appropriate sort Of national Me-
kinley anthem. | am convinced that the feeling
of respect sincere and universal. My tIs.
impression of the town was that it was en- fete.
everywhere the crowds in the gayest costumes of
many colors making for the Capitol. They were
orderly and decorous, but still they dis
t.nctly not mourIltul noticed in the Rotunda
the same striking popularity Of absence Of mourn
ing any sense OF the seriousness of the cere-
iuonisl. The ladies mainly dressed in green
and blue. and of them seemed TO have
bought and decorated hats specially for the oc-
caslon. Tie men were in every variety Of
tunes Even the officials Of the place were hard
ly in mourning. The long period of waiting
wiilcd aua- in general conversation and
reading the newspapers | repeat that the be-
havior OF those present was perfectly decorous
and respectful. bgt that they might have been
zone the less in an ordinary lecture ROOM
It is 10 his credit that Mr.. Bell was
too courteous to mention the outbreak
at the Capitol when a wild mob
charged the police lines and crushed
women and children in a riotous desire
to break into the Rotunda and see the
body of the dead President. Some
things he does say in kindly. apollo
getic spirit, and they ought to make
US ashamed Of ourselves. The city on
that solemn occasion, but for a few
buildings which were decently draped
in mourning, indeed, was en- fete. Hard
ly anybody In the community, uncon
nected with the function in an official
capacity, appeared to have the least
idea that the mourning of a nation
should be recognized by the wearing of
any personal mourning apparel The
women in the crowds that lined the
route of the cortege, or later were rush
ed through the Rotunda, for the most
part were clad in gala attire. of many
bright colors.
The tale of our offending does not
stop here. In the funeral procession
within earshot OF the escort surround
ing the hearse band of ffers and
drumrners were playing a quickstep.
and the left battalion of the District
brigade marched with colors flying.
And it is humiliating to say so. but it
Is true, that when the hearse passed
by. hardly one head in fifty was uncov-
cred in respect and reverence.
We do not mean TO say that the peo-
pie of Washington were not sincerely
Srieved al the death of President Nc
Kiniey. or that they were not impressed
by the nwfulness of the calamity which
had oyertslzeD the country But, as
Mr.. Bell justly remarks. this is "a ma
ton OF contrasts" and he has called