Gloucester County Democrat. (Woodbury, N.J.) 1878-1932, 1901-09-19
THE CAPITALS
LAST TRIBUTE
Washington Bids Goodbye to the
Martyred President.
TOUCHING SERVICES in RoTuNDA

TOUCHING SERVICES in RoTuNDA
The cortege Of Military and Civic
Bodies solemnly Wends It's Way
From the White House Between
Dense Linesof fearful PeopIe-Mem-
cries of March and September.
Washington, Sept. 1S.-All that is
mortal Of William Mckinley is speed
ing toward it's last earthly resting
place at his beloved home in Canton
after the nation had officially and with
state ceremony paid its tribute of re-
spect and love to the memory of its
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
c;-~ Ia
Quoted in accordance with the rites Of
the Methodist Episcopal church of
which President Mckinley was life
long member. Consisting only of two
hymns, a 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
ing seemed to rest upon the venerable
mans countenanee 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 sentiment
of hallowed resignation as the divine
blessing was asked by the Rev. W. H.
Chapman, acting pastor of the Metro
DOllIOu pn LIZ kAAoAS oPOa OOLA LAO
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
thou@htfu1ness 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 to
pay a final tribute of love and respect
for the dead. AS the funeral cortege,
escorted by troops representing every
department Of the nations martial
service and by representatives Of re-
| ligious and civic organizations, passed
4 h. !, Fo 10 %ho
solemn notes of the Dead March
From SAUL" walled by the bands, the
sorrowing people, barred their heads
despite the rain, and the many tear
stained faces bespoke their grief more
eloquently than words. 1t was a ST.
remembered that only few months
ago the dead President, then in the
fullness of life and triumph, had
passed along that same thoroughfare
to be inaugurated second time as
President. The flags that had futtered
greeting to him in March were furled
and crepe bedecked in September.
| AS with solemn and cadenced tread
the procession moved down the ave-
nue. the people recognized as one of
the mourners their former President,
Grover Cleveland, who had come to
pay his tribute to his successor. They
recognized, too, their new President,
upon whom the responsibilities of
chief executive had been thrust SO
unexpectedly. With silent salute they
greeted him, and with them he min
gled his tears in sorrow for the dead.
At the conclusion Of the funeral serv-
ices In the rotunda the casket lid was
removed in order that the immediate
friends Of the dead President might
| pc afforded the comfort of a last glance
at his features, and that the people
whom he loved and who loved him
might pass the bier for the same pur-
pose At half-past IL the crowds be-
gan to file through the rotunda. and
during the six hours in which the body
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