Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1923-08-09

dome of the capitol, with low-spoken
prayer and the ten Ter words of old
hymns, Warren Harding was given
into Gods keeping at noon today by
the men of high place in the nation
who had served with him in the
short years of his leadership for the
glory of the flag that was his wind
ing sheet.
AS simple in its dignity and its
high faith in the goodness CT God as
the man whose passing it marked,
the religious ceremony took barely
twenty minutes. Then, under the
ceaseless vigil Of motionless sentries
who stood at the corners Of the tier.
the great doors were opened for the
waiting thousands outside to pass
slowly by the caskets upon which
the sorrow of the nation and world
poured out today.
Through the brief service, a slAn-
der womanly. figure sat erect and
motionless beside the casket on its
high base Of honor. In deepest black
and with a heavy veil hiding her
features, Mrs. Harding faced her
public ordeal of sorrow with stole
courage. Never a break in the firm
spirit that has borne her up through
the tragic days was visible to tne
plying eyes that dwelt upon her.
Leaves CasI1et First Time
When the last word had been said,
she walked slowly through the sen
ate corridor, her hand barely TOUGH
ing the arm OF Secretary Christian,
her slender figure straight, with no
hint of the crushed heart within.
And for the first time since he
died with her eyes upon him, far
away in San Francisco, the casket
was Lett by this strong, loving, loyal
wife and widow to the keeping of the
nation for the little hours until she
claims it again ITO bear it back to
Marion and its long rest.
The thousand seats that crowded
the wide circle of the rotunda were
filled save for those reserved for
the mourners who came with the
funeral cortege in the parade of
profound sorrow from the White
House, long before Nthe marching
hosts arrived in the plaza on which
the building fronts.
Out there, just few months ago,
Warren Harding pledged his honor
and his life to the great task he
was to undertake. Today, just a
few yards from the spot where he
then stood to send his oath OF 10y
atty ringing around the world a
solemn moment awaited him while
his grateful countrymen testified be-
fore all men that he. had kept that
faith to the death.
There was hushed murmur
among those gathered in the great
chamber as they waited. All around
the wall stood banked masses of
flowers in every beauty of design
and color human ingenuity could
devise to do honor to the dead.
Throb Of Muffled Drums
Then the distant throbbing of
muffled drums stole in through the
tall doorway that looked eastward
to the rising sun.
From the senate wing, Mrs.
Coolidge, wife Of the man on whom
the great burden laid down by the
dead chief has fallen, came in alone
to take her place near the waiting
catafalque.
The drums came closer, throbbing
in martial sorrow, timing the steps
of the tramping column of the es-
cort. There was no other sound in
the chamber. Then the beat of the
drums died away and softly there
came from the clear sunshine out
side the swelling notes of band.
Lead Kindly Light" rang the az
peal and trust of the hymn and
faint stir ran through those inside.
The casket was being lifted from
the caisson to be carried tenderly
up the long wide steps.
First through the doorway came
the dead presidents soldier and
sailor aides, the glitter of their gold
trappings that marked their post
at the side Of the, commandments
chief shining from white uniforms.
Behind with slow steps came the
generals and admirals of the guard
Of honor for this plain man of the
people, and then the casket, carried.
slowly by the soldiers, sailors and
marines to whom had fallen this last
honor.
Standing with heads bent, the men
and women who had waited long in
the big chamber, gave their greeting
in silence. The slow march Of the
dead went forward to the catafalque,
and the casl1et, with a single great
wreath resting on the flag that wrap
ped it about, was get gently in
place while the five sentries, with
grounded niuskets and bayonets
fixed, took up their watch, a soldier
and a marine at the head, a soldier
and sailor at the foot.
Family With Mrs. Harding
Side by side at the head of the
caslset the aides of the president
took their place; then, from the
senate corridor, Mrs. Harding came
in on Secretary Christians arm and
with General Sawyer close beside
her. She took her place and about
her were grouped the others Of the
sorrowing family and the close
friends of the dead whose official
duties did not call them to other
posts in the funeral chamber.
There was some delay as the of
ficers of the guard of honor found
their places and as the group of
honorary pallbearers, each q noted
figure in the nations life, came in,
followed by the diplomatic corps.
The diplomats were in the formal
ceremonial dress. Each nation pre-
scribes for the occasions of state.
The scarlet or gray or blue of their
eft a ta 11nifOrrnS lent raarrr to,1nla of