San Antonio light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1911-1993, 1923-08-08

ception in sorrowful contrast 10 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 plaud-
its that only the victor in war &c.
ceives. Today he was engaged in one
of the sad pursuits of peace. The
cheers were missing. The grim solemn
countenance of the general spoke the
mourning of the thousands who saw
him pass.
Lines Form Near White House.
Almost before the four black horses
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 Pershing dropped out of
line on the plaza to take charge of the
final disposition of the troops. Mean.
time. the many civic and fraternal DR.
ders that had been given places in the,
rear were Just forming into line be-
side the White House.
As Mrs. Harding's car passed along
Pennsylvania avenue only DR.. Sawyer
could be seen within. for the curtainsl
were closely drawn. Between her and,
the casket. with its single great
wreath, rode the palbearers. 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 as
signs to its vice presidents. Today hel
Travelled the same route n PrcsijeIE. :,
with burden ahead and a genuine
personal sorrow beside him. Ills ia
scrutable face none the less showed
grief and a realization of the graSe
moment in which he was standing.
There followed them another Presi-
dent-another son of Ohio. whom
death had spared in the presidency. to
permit him to take up a great duty
as chief justice of the United States
William Howard Taft.
Wilson Breaks Soclusion.
Then came figure who was re-
minder of gayer and happier day.
w oOolOW w hcOu COIIc tHt
seclusiOn and quiet of his home 10
show his respect.
Only little while ago he rode over
the same way with Warren Harding
beside him. in the full bloom of visor
Gus life, about TO take up the burden
he was laying down. Harding's con-
sideration 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.
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 Onward CHRISTIAN
Soldiers he did not stand on Penn
sylvania avenue today as the cprtege
passed on its sorrowing way. As if in
of the Christian kind
liness Of Warren Harding's heart. the
band just ahead of his body played the
majestic strains of the old hymn all
the way to the capitol, interspersed
with How Firm a Foundation Ye
Saints Of the Lord" the favorite hymn
OF Theodore Roosevelt.
And as the silver tones mounted ur
and echoed back in the canyon of hui
mainly that packed the great thor
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 q hush like the quiet Of the tomb
the infantry Of the escort formed his
line across the entire front. the ma
rines took up their station, 10 the
north of the STEPS of the rotunda. and
the bluejackets defiled into a, line op-
posite them to the south. Only the
sharp commands cut into 1.-The ,cppres-
sive silence.
Senator Lodge Alights.
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 fearful.
splendid glory. Senator Henry Cabot
Lodge, designated as marshal of the
parade by virtue of his many years
of public service under many Presi
dents, alighted from his caribeside the
rotunda steps and likewise stood wait
ing, solemnly and with bowed head
for the coming Of the friend whose
desk had been near his in the Senate
chamber in the years when Warren
Harding was happy in the lesser re-
sponsibilities Of public life.
1t was wait for only few min.
utes. The troops in front of the cap
itol presented arms as the caiss0p
reached the east front of the rotunda
and Pershing Joined in the salute.
The long line of automobiles came to
a stop and non-commissioned officer
stepped up and loosened the wide
black straps that had bound, the casket
to its funeral car. Then it was lifted
down and, with the band playing
Lead Kindly Light" the President
was carried up the steps and across
the spot where two and a half years