Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1923-08-09
WOODROW WILSON
AMONG MOURNERS
FOR NATION s Chief
Continued from Page u


restless mounts of the troopers was
broken by the strains of Chopin S
funeral march, played by an army
Band. There was only brief della"
then until the last journey of war
rem Harding along the historic thor
oughfare had begun between the
dense crowds of humanity that made
a long aisle of grief from the very
gates of the executive mansion TO
the towering capitol mile away.
At the same time a bugler came
to the portico and sounded shrilly
the single note of the soldiers call
to attention. The cavalry opposite
on TIC avenue came to sharp salute
with their blades flashing in the sun
Hight. Then there was a flourish OF
the drums, just as the guns of Fort
Myer, across the silent Potomac,
awoke the echoes with a salute to
the departed comrade.
Mrs Harding came down the steps
moment later, heavily yelled, her
frail figure making a pitiful picture
amid the splendor and pomp of the
great honora to which, by a fuli
r. easUre of devotion, she had helped
and inspired her husband to achieve.
On one side of her walked Secretary
Christian and on the other BriGadIer
General Charles z. Sawyer, her life
long friend in Marion and the presi-
dents physician.
Just before, within the east room,
She had stood with these. same
frie nds and with the new president,
the cabinet. and members of the SUI
preme court at brief prayer service
beside the bier.
At the end and Just before the cas-
lzet was tal>en to it's mar5ial funeral
car outside, they had repeated the
Lords rayer.
Onward Christian Soldiers"
Before the little woman, fighting
to remain calm in the shadow of her
grief, had entered her car, all the
other members of the funeral party
had taken their places. She was
handed up into the big automobile
by Mr.. Christian, and as It started
to roll away behind the caisson the
cars bearing President Coolidge
Chief Justice Taft, and Former Pres
idsnt Wilson followed in turn.
The military escort which had
reen placed in the line of march
ahead of the funeral caisson, pre-
viously had taken station on the
avenue, winding around as far as
the south entrance Ct the treasury.
It moved off at the word Of COM
mand, an army band ahead with It's
crepe -muffled drums, playing on
ward Christian Soldiers
General Pershing's erect figure on
his splendid mount commanded re-
ception in sorrowful contrast to the
last time he had ridden up the broad
avenue. On that day it was the vic
torious commander leading the vic
torious legion and receiving the
plaudits that only the victor in war
receives. Today he was engaged in
one Of the said pursuits of peace.
The cheers were missing; the grim
solemn countenance of the general
bespoke the mourning of the thous-
ands who saw him pass.
Almost before the four black
horses that drew the blackwheeled
caisson with the precious cargo had
been given their word of command
at the White House, the head of the
escort had reached the capitol where
the plaza had been cleared of all
but troops.
General Pershing dropped out of
| line on the plaza to take charge OF
| the final disposition of the troops.
Meantime the many civic and fra
ternal orders that had been given
places in the rear were just form
ing into line beside the White
House.
Widows Car Curtained
AS Mrs. Harding's car passed along
| PENNSYLVANIA avenue, only DIR. Saw
yer could be seen within, for the
curtains were closely drawn. Be-
| tween her and the casket, with its
single great wreath, rode the pail
bearers. members of the cabinet, rep
resentatives of the judiciary and
senators.
Next. behind her followed Calvin
| Coolidge. suddenly called to take up
the mantle which had slipped from
his chiefs shoulders. He had APP
peared on that avenue before in the
subordinate role which the country
assigns to it's vice presidents. Today
he Travelled the same route a presi-
dent, with burden ahead and a
genuine personal sorrow beside him.
His inscrutable face none the less
showed a grief and a realization of
! the grave moment in which he was
! standing.
There followed them another pres
ident-another son Of Ohio, whom
death had spared in the presidency
to permit him to take up Il great
duty as chief justice of the United
| States. William Howard Taft, loved
by all who know him, was in his
! place in the solemn cortege as a
mourner who knew what Warren
Harding had passed through in the
chief maSistracy of the nation. Taft
| lived through the gruelling ordeal of
the presidency perhaps because he
spared himself more than Harding
did Friends of years and colleagues
in many causes, the chief justice
symbolized the grief and respect
which was personally his as we'll as
the great branch of the government
which he represented.
Then came a figure who was a
reminder, too, of a gayer and hap
pier day. Woodrow Wilson had
come from the seclusion and quiet
of the home where he braYely and
patiently waits for his summons
from the Creator, to show his re-
spect and ease Il genuine sorrow.
Only little while ago he rode over
the same way with Warren Harding
| beside him, in the full bloom of Wig
orous life, about to take up the bur-