The Washington herald., 1908-05-19

disturbed at all: for though a searching
examination might have been interesting
from the viewpoint Of an anthropologist.
as it would not be Of real anatomical or
scientific value, the body was simply
placed IN more orderly array. the lead
folded back IN place. and slipped into a
new casket TO be hermetically sealed, as
far as is humanity known, for al tine.
In looking at the record OF the death
OF Clinton aE given IN the daily press,
one Is impressed anew with the SIM
picity OF those times. That the death
Of this great public character was re-
garded Ia the light Of q national calam-
ity there Is 10 shadow OF doubt. Still.
from the bare announcement OF his il-
ness, as given above, TO the editorial
comment on his death. there was not one
word OF comment during his four weeks
Illness Many Weshingtonians remember
the death watch set over the Blaine
house, and the long vigil Of the news
paper boys" waiting the outcome. While
the great statesman battled for breath
But though the method now OF show
ing interest IS different, for the times.
and considering the resources Of Wash
ington in those days Of her struggling.
as it wound around Twentieth street from
1 street and swept into the fine breadth
OF Pennsylvania avenue, must have been
eulse-stiFTing.
A joint committee OF both Houses had
attended 20 all arrangements for the In
terment Of the nations dead" This
committee and a detachment Of cavalry
from the District Of Columbia militia met
at the boarding house Of Mr.. O'Neal on
the day Of the funeral at O'Clock To
quote from the Intellingencer Of that day:
at half-past two Of the clock the corpse
will be removed 10 the Capitol in charge
Of the committee OF arrangements, escort
ed by cavalry.
"On arrival at the Capitol the corpse
win be taken from the hearse and de-
posted in tbs Capitol until four. At four
the procession Will move IN the following
order: The Cavalry. The Marine Corps.
Chaplains Of both Houses. The Physi-
clans The Hearse. PalIbeareTs. mT. Tall
mage. Mr.. Sammons, Mr.. M. Clay, Mr.
Macon. Mr. Butler, Mr. Brown, Mr..
SEWER Mr.. Wright The family nourneFs.
President Of the United States. Sergeant
alarms Of the Senate. Senate, preceded
BY the President pro tenn and the secTe-
tary. Sergeant-at-arnls OF the House.
House OF Representatives. preceded by
the Speaker and Clerk. Heads OF De-
partments. officers Of the Government,
Citizens, and Strangers"
short Account IN the Press.
No word picture Of to-day can as clearly
portray the times and manners as the
newspaper Yersioa Of that ceremony;
The mortal remains OF the illustrious
Vice President, George Clinton. were in
TERED in the burying ground near the
Navy Yard, IN the presence OF q con-
course greater than ever seen In the
Nations Capital. Shops were shut, and
an air Of general gloom pervaded all
ranks OF society.
The scene was awful and impressive.
TIE martial parade. the glistening arms
ard nodding plumes OF military corps
who preceded the hearse, the solemn mel
ody OF martial music which attunsd AL
hearts 20 melancholy, the sable hearse,
attended by eight venerable pallbearers
who part0ok OF the tolls Of Revolution;
the weli-knOwn carriage Of the deceased
the Chief Magistrate Of the nation mourn
ing the loss Of one of its noblest sons
the Senate deploTing the loss Of a revered
President, But why particularly describe
the lengthenlng train? Sufficient 10 say
that the assembiage. mourners and in
teresting objects. inspired feelings suited
both TO the occasion. When Clinton de-
scends TO the tomb OF his ancestors It is
1t that the whole nation bewail the loss
and history immortalize his name. Hal
lowed be the ashes OF the honored Dead.
ApTII 2. 1Sl2
Surely the last pious wish has been
granted
II is rather singular, IN view Of the
well-authenticated date OF Clinton's death,
that the date on the monument has stood
for so many years as 1911. Jonathan FL
Hot IN his clever little history. describes
ClintOn's monument in f0Fid terms and
mentions the date OF death as 1a1. This
book was written IN 1923. Elliot mentions
also a monument which even now at
tracts attention, that OF Elbridge Gerry,
the immediate successor Of Clinton as
Vice President.
Gerry died Ia his carriage, on the way
70 the Capitol, November q, 1914, thus fol-
lowing out his Oft-Quoted sentiment, 1T
Is the duty OF every citizen. though we
have but one day 70 live, 70 devote that
day 10 the service of his country"