Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1902-03-06
washington Letter.


Washington Letter.
FRoM Our REGULAR CORRESPONDENT
Monday, March 3, 1902
The most impressive event of the past
week in Washington WAS the joint Me-
m orial Session of Congress at which
Secretary Hay delivered the eulogy OF
the late President Mckinley. The
presence on the floor OF the House OF
Representatives of the President and his
Cabinet the diplomatic corps, the Jus
tees of the Supreme Court and the
members of both houses of Congress
gathered to do homage to the late Pres
ident was in itself brilliant and edify.
ing sight and the spacious galleries filled
with ladies, the, wives and families OF
the members of Congress, presented
beautiful background to the more SOM
bre assembage below. Q1l;e apart
from the presence of the brother OF the
Emperor Of Germany, the scene was one
that will never be forgotten by these
who had the opportunity of witnessing 1t
The flags on the Capitol were at half
mast aud the PLAYING of the hymns,
"Ne Ny God To Thee and Lead
Kindly Light" by the Marineband which
was stationed in the back lobby, while
the guests were taking their p!aces gave
to the event an appropriate atmosphere
and prepared the audience for the SOL
emn and beautiful eulogv which it had
gathered to hear. Among the early
arrivals was Prince Henry Of Prussia
He came up the main aisle unattended
and arriving at the front Of the seats he
gave the military salute to President
pro tenn Frye and Speaker Henderson
who were Oh the rostrnm. lie then
turned and stood at "attentlon' ut the
head of the aisle in position suggestive
of bridegroom awaiting the ARRIVAL
of the bridal party. For fully ten min.
utes he so stood without moving mus
Gle. As Mr. Roosevelt, followed by his
Cabinet, arrived at the head Of the aisle
the Prince again saluted and then bowed
low, taking the seat assigned TO him at
the right of the President. The suite
which accompanied the Prince took
seats with the diplomatic corps and i'm
mediately behind the Justices of the
Supreme Court. 1t was my good for
tune to be in a position where | could
closely observe the President and the
Prince and the nervous energy OF the
former was in marked contrast to the
military etiquette of the latter. AL
though the exercises lasted from twenty
minutes after eleven to half-past one
the Prince, except for his standing for
the invocation and benediction, sat bolt
upright, his knees together and his toes
turned out and never appearedto change
position or even rest himself by the
movement of hand or foot, The Presi-
dent showed evident signs Of restless
ness. At first he loanged in his chair
and as time heightened he continually
shifted his position with nervous, quick
movements. Space will not permit a
review Of Secretary Hays grafton. be-
yond the statement that it was finishe d
specimen Of English composition, at
times beautiful in thought and meta
phor, replete with praise Of his former
chief. While we'll learned it lacked the
spontaneity and magnetism of "a more
extemporanecu address and, while the
Secretary's voice is pleasant, the fact
that be spoke in a remarkably even tone
rendered the address slightly monoton-
GUS, Generous applause greeted its
conclusion. After the exercises at the
Capitol the Prince visited Mt. Vernon
and it characteristic OF the simplicity
of the royal visitor that when asked tc
plant tree near Washington S tomb, be
was not content with the formal throw
ing in OF a spadeful of earth customary
on such oocssione, bat threw in mum