The Telegraph-courier. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1888-1946, 1923-08-09

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. To-day
he travelled the same route presl-
dent, with a burden ahead and a
genuine personal sorrow beside him.
His inscrutable face none the less
showed a grief and realization Of
the grave moment in which he was
standing.
Chief Justice Among Mourners.
There followed then another presi-
dent-another son of Ohio, whom
death had spared in the presidency
to permit him to take up 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 that Warren Harding had pass
ed through in the chief magistracy of
the nation. Taft lived through the
gruelling of deal of the presidency
perhaps because he shared himself
more than Harding did. Friends of
years and colleagues in many cases,
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 wac was a re-
minder too of gayer and happier days.
Woodrow Wilson had come from the
seclusion and quiet of the home where
he bravely and patiently waits for his
summons from the Creator, to show
his respect and sorrow. Only a little
while ago he rode over the same way
with Warrne Harding geside him, in
the full bloom of vigorous life, about
to take up the burden he was laying,
down. Harding's consideration for the
sick man beside him touched every
heart and dimmed many eyes that day
it touched Woodrow Wilson's heart
as few things had, and today he came
to pay it back and put his heart upon
his sleeve. Little did anybody dream
Woodrow Wilson would be helping lay
Warren Harding under the sod, but
death had given a respite to the one
and abruptly summoned the other.
Coward Christian Saldiers."
If there be an American who does
not feel a catch in his throat or whose
heart does not beat faster when the
marine band plays Coward Christian
Soldiers" he did not stand on Penn
sylvania avenue today as the cortege
passed on it's sorrowing way.
AS if in exemplifcation, the Chris
tan kindliness to Warren Harding's
heart, the magnificent band just ahead
played the majestic strains Of the old
hymn all the way to the capitol inter
spersed with "How Firm Foundation
Ye Saints of the Lord" the favorite
hymn of Theodore Roosevelt.
And as the silver tones mounted up
and echoed back in the canyon of hui
mainly that packed the great thor
oughfare, tears stole down many
cheeks and many eyes were dim But
as they entered the sweeping eXpanse
of the plaza the bands fell silent.
Amid a hush like tHe quiet of the
tomb the infantry of the escort form
ed it's line across the entire front, the
marines took up their station to the
north of the steps of the rotunda and
the blue Jackets defled into a line OPP
posite them to the south. Only the
sharp commands cut into the oppres-
sive silence.
AS the troops came into position,
General Pershing remained on horse
back in the front of the center Of the
rotunda, awaiting the coming of the
dead to this new scene, of splendid
glory, Senator Henry Cabot Lodge,
designated as marshall of the parade
by virtue Of his many years of public
service under many presidents, alight-
ed from his car beside the rotunda
steps and likewise stood waiting,
waiting solemnly and with bowed head
for the coming of the friend whose
desk had been near his in the sem
ate in the years when Warren Hard
ing was happy in the lesser RESPONSE
bilities of public life and before the
nation called him to the burdensome
duties that crushed out his life.
Troops at Present Arms.
1t was wait Of only few min
utes. The troops in front of the cap
reached the east front of the rotunda,
and Pershing Joined in the salute. The
long line of automobiles came to
stop and a on-commissioned officer
stepped up and loosened the wide
black straps that had bound the cas-
ket to its funeral car. Then it was
lifted down, and with the band play
ing ''Lead Kindly Light" the presi-
dent was carried tenderly and with
loving benediction of a nation upon
him, up the steps and across the spot
where two and half years ago he
stood to take his oath Of duty.
Then the way was filled with cheer
ing humanity. Today it was once
more a reverence and high respect but
stilled this time by the hush Of trag-
edy.
Senator Lodge walked up the steps
beside the casket and the empty Gals
son moved away. The digitaries and
the ministers followed along, step by
step for the progress up the steps was
very, very slow. Fourteen soldiers,
sailors and marines helped lift the
load of sorrow up the steep and~long
ascent to the chamber where Lincoln
mad Mckinley rested in grandeur and
where now Harding was to receive the
last pouring out Of a great peoples
love and gratitude.
President Coolidge, Chief Justice
Taft and former Vice President Mar
shall, who had been allotted a place in