The Van Buren press. [volume] (Van Buren, Ark.) 1859-1914, 1901-09-21
THE NATIONAL TRIBUTE.
State Funeral of the Late President
William Mckinley at
Washington.
ALL WALKS OF LIFE WERE REPRESENTED
The Services in the National Capitoi
We're GrandIy Impressive, the
Funeral Grafton Being Delivered
by bishop Andrews, of the Meth
odixt Episcopal Church.

odist Episcopal Church.
Washington, Sept. 17.-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 respect and love to the memory OF
its stricken chief magistrate. This
was almost the closing act in the aw-
full tragedy which has drenched the
civilized world in tears.
Beneath the great white dome of
the capitol, funeral services of state
were held to-day over the remains OF
the dead president. 1t was eminently
fitting that the services should be con-
Quoted in that beautiful rotunda, haf-
lowed by the history of the last sad
rites of two other martyrs to the
cause of the republic.
AS befitted the occasion and the
character of the man whose remains
were lying cold and rigid in the mar
row embrace of the metallic casket,
the services were simple. They were
conducted in accordance with the rites
of the Methodist Episcopal church, of
which President Mckinley was life
long member. Consisting only of two
hymns, song, a prayer, an address
and benediction, they were beautiful
and solemnly impressive.
Gathered around the bier were rep
resentatives of every phase of Ameri-
can national life, including the presi-
dent and the only surviving ex-presi-
dent of the United States, together
with representatives at this capital
Of almost every nation of the earth.
Great Britain, France, Germany, Italy
and Spain, and all the republics to the
southwark of the United States,
mingled their tears with those of the
American people.
Despite the fact that no attempt
had been made to decorate the in
terror of the rotunda, beyond the nr-
engagements made about the cata-
falque, the assemblage presented a
memorable sight. The sombre black
of the attire of the hundreds of CIV
ilians present was splashed brilliantly
with the blue and gold of the repre-
sentatives of the army and navy, and
the court costumes of the diplomatic
corps.
As the sweet notes of Mr. McKin-
ley's favorite hymn: Lead, Kindly
Light" floated through the great ro-
tunda, the assemblage rose to its feet.
Barred heads were bowed and eyes
streamed with tears. At the conchl-
sion of the hymn, as Rev. Dr. Naylor,
presiding elder OF the Washington dis
trict, rose to offer prayer, the hush
that fell upon the people was pro-
found. When, in conclusion, he re-
peated the Lords Prayer, the great
audience joined solemnly with him.
The murmur of their voices resembed
nothing less than the roll of far dis
tant surf.
Scarcely had the word amen" been
breathed when the liquid tone of that
sweetly pleading song: Some Time
Well Understand" went straight to
the heart Of every auditor. The solo
was sung by Mrs. Thomas c. Noyes, OF
this city, and the beautiful refrain
was echoed and re-echoed by the
double quartette choir.
The venerable bishop, Edwin G. An
drews, 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 ro-
tunda stirred the delicate blooms
which lay upon the coffin and the
"peace that passeth all understands
ing" seemed to rest upon the vcnera-
BILE mans countenance rs he began his
eulogy of the life and works of Will
lam Mckinley. His words were sim.
pie, but his whole heart was in every
one of them. His tribute to the
Christian fortitude of the dead presi-
dent was impressive.
Upon the conslu sion of the sermon
the audience, as If by pre.arrange-
ment, joined the choir in singlmg;
NEARER, My God to Thee" All pres
cnt seemed to be imbued with a scnti.
ment OF hallowed resignation as the
Divine blessing was asked by Rev, w.
II. Chapman. acting pastor OF the
Metropolitan NJ. T.. church, upon both
the living and the dead.
Mrs. Mckinley, bereft Of husband,
and Frustrated by her overwhelming
sorrow, did not attend the services at
the capitol. IL was deemed wise by
those now nearest and dearest TO her
that she should not Undergo the
strain her attendance would entail
upon her. She remained at the White
House, comforted by every attention
that loving thoughtfulness could sug-
gest.