Perth Amboy evening news., 1923-08-08
FUNERAL HELD
IN WASHINGTON TODAY
Continued from Page u

OIlIN DIS ll6 pIOOCooACA& e0A 4@
it become known that Mrs. Harding
had been with the body in the east
room for a half hour at l O'Clock
this morning. She was alone at
times and at other times attended
by one or two relatives, But while
officials were gathering at the fun
eral hour to take up their places i'll
the cortege she remained in her
room, alone with her grief.
In Pennsylvania avenue the long
silence that hitherto had been dis
turbed only by the champing of the
restless mounts of the troopers was
broken by the strains Of Chopin's
Funeral march, played by an army
band. There was only a brief delay
then until the last journey of War
rem Harding along the historic
thoroughfare had begun between ths
crowds of humanity that made a
long aisle of grief from the very
gates of the executive mansion to
the capitol a 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
the avenue came to a sharp salute
with their blades flashing In the sun
light. Then there was a flourish of
the drums, just as the guns of Fort
Meyer, across the silent Potomac,
awoke the echoes with a salute to
the departed comrade.
The military escort, which had
been 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 of the treasury.
1t 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 spendid mount commanded q re-
ception in sorrowful contrast to the
last time he had ridden up the
broad avenue On that day it was
the victorious commander, leading
the victorious legion and receiving
the plaudits that only the victor in
war receives. Today he was engaged
i'll n of the sad pursuits of peace.
The cheers were missing, the grim
solemn countenance of the General
bespoke the mourning of the thou
Sands who saw him pass.
Almost before the four black
hCrses that drew the black-wheeled
caisson with its 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 pei shing Topped cut of
line on the PIAZZA to taks charge of
the final disposition OF the troops.
Mainline tie many c.v!c and fra
ternal orders that had been given
places in the rear were just forming
into line beside the White House.
Mrs. Harding came down the steps
a moment later, heavily yelled, her
frail figure making a p%itiful picture
amid the splendor and pomp of the
great honors to which, by a full
measur of devotion, she had helped
and inspired her husband to achieve.
On n side of her walked Secretary
Christian and on the other Brigadier
General Charles E. Sawyer, her life
long friend in Marion and the Presi-
dents physician.
Just before, within the East room,
she had stood with these same
friends and with the new President,
the cabinet, and members of the
Supreme Court at a brief prayer ser
vice beside the bier. At the end, and
just before the casket was taken to
its martial funeral car outside, they
had repeated the Lords Prayer.
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 1t started
to roll away behind the caisson the
cars bearing President Coolidge,
Chief Justice Taft, and former Pres
ident Wilson followed in turn.
AS Mrs. H%arding's car passed along
Pennsylvania avenue, only DR.. 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,
representatives of the judiciary and
senator's.
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 its vice presidents. Today
he Travelled the same route a Presi-
dent, with a burden ahead and a gen.
uine personal sorrow beside him. His
~inscrutable face none the less show
ed a grief and a realization of tho
grave moment in which he was
standing.
There followed then another presl-
dent-another son of Ohio, whom
death had spared in the presidency
to permit him to take up a greaN
duty as chief justice Of the United
States. William Howard Taft, loved
by all who knew him was in his place
in the solemn cortege as a mourner
who knew what Warren Harding had
passed through in the chief magistry
of the nation. Taft lived through
the gruelling ordeal Of the presi-
dency perhaps because he spared
himself more than Harding did.
Friends of years and colleagues in
many causes, the chief justice SYM
bolized grief and respect which was
personally his as well as the great
branch of the government which he
represented.
Then came a figure who was a
reminder too of a gayer and happier
day. Woodrow Wilson had come
from the seclusion and quiet of the
home where he bravely and patient
ly waits for his summons from the
Creator, to show his respect and ease
a genuine sorrow. Only a little
while ago he rode over the same
way with Warren Harding beside
him, in the full bloom of vigorous
life, about to take up the burden he
was laying down. Harding's consid-
Grafton for the sick man beside him
touched every heart and dimmed