New Britain herald., 1924-02-06

Wilson passed forever today from in
 world stage where once he lowered
 commanding figure.
 In tho sacred privacy of tho home
 last rites were said--as simple as tn
 faith of the man himself in the good
 ness of God. Only the presence of th'
 president and the few who were hi
 colleagues in days of greatness, anC
 the quiet thousands waiting outsid,
 under wintry skies for humble shar'
 in the last leave taking, marked thi!
 as the funeral of a great man.
 There was more formal tone to tn,
 cathedral service which followed
 There in the chapel that gives en,
 trance to the vault Of entombmen were gathered the dignitaries of gov, ernments and many men of place ana power in America. Organ note and tho pealing voices of the choir added {
 touch of ceremony to the brief religi.
 ous exercises. But at the very last
 the dead passed again into the keeping 1 of his nearest and dearest who alone
 might watch over the entombment and i hear the resigned faith of the com i mital service uttered The nations
 share in that last moment was only to
 stand in silent reverence outside while l the tomb received the keeping of an 1 honored American.
 During the funeral services the busy l life of the nations capital stood al i pause as elsewhere over America men did last honor to the dead The drum ming guns of sorrow echoed duly | from the distant hills where Fort Myer lies guns that had heralded the dark. eloud-wrapped coming of the day with the sombre clamor Of salute to a dead commander. Wherever the flag flew above ship or fort half-mast- cd in token of the nations loss, the guns proclaimed the proud sorrow of people.
 About the stricken home and at the cathedral were massed the flowers and wreaths that came pouring in today from every nearby city and town. There were formal pieces and many simple clusters Of fragrant blossoms \ story of the greatness Of the man whose last earthly moment they mark cd was written on the cards. There were great names among them, those of kings and presidents and of others in whose keeping today is the destiny Of civilization.
 Among the offerings were some from comrades who served in the great war under tine fallen chieftain, served in the fighting ranks of the na- tion They bore such legends as tour comrade," "to our chief' and from his comrades" The loveliness of the blooms will not fade unnoted for the grief-bowed widow has willed that these tributes to Woodrow Wilson shall go out 10 Walter Reed hospital after the ceremony Co carry their mes. sage Of hope and cheer to the wound cd men there, as a last token Of rec membrance from Inc chieftain who has passed on into eternity.
 Hours before the funeral cortsge would leave the saddened home where he found peace after the turmoil of eight years in the highest office his countrymen could give him. the streets were filling along the way it would pass. Congress stood Idle in honor to the dead; the great gov- ernment departments set free swarm ing thousands from office routine that they might share in the tribute. At such intervals all the way up the wide avenue that leads from the Wilson home to the cathedral soldiers and marines were in place to hold open the road.
 There was little but respect for the dead to draw these silent watchers away from the busy thoroughfares Of the city into the outlying. quiet streets that the short funeral procession would travel. It was to be a silent spectacle. without martial display or the mourning Of great bands. They could not hear the private service at the home and only a few could catch the echoes of the more formal cere- mony at the chapel where the body of the fallen leader would be entomb- cd. Yet they came to stand hour by hour. just to watch in silence as the casket was carried swiftly by.
 Lines Form
 Even before the small gathering Of those who would join with the family in the home service had beE gun to as semble. the lines were forming where Inc carriages and motors waited 10 hear them on later to the chapel For 8 wide area about tho "S" street home and on either side of the way up avenua 70 Mount s. Athaus where the cathedral stauds roiire regulations closed of all yehi- rular traffic except such as vas ner- . sssary for the funeral party. others If the distinguished company destin- . sd 10 witness the chapel ceremony . were carried by ro1ind-ahout ways to Inc cathedral and ali wHrE in thHir 1. places in ths dim chapel before the funeral varty arrived. There vras only . s,sU5jnr space for those behind Inc lev chairs set for thn family and for < President Coolidge and his cabinet.
 yish1p Freeman had arranged . sith his Presbyterian colleagues the [ ,r5er in which the burial service < ouId be shared. While ils printed . ,arv1ce. prepared that tI1e company . n 'he chapel gathered 10 do honor l Q fhe dead might share fn the sxer- iises. followed fbc Episcopal ritual . n a measure. participation hr the . .lerrvrnen of Mir. Wilson's oau faith . n is ministry gave a touch Of non- lar.faris risrn 10 the ceremony that I