Democratic Sentinel, Volume 5, Number 40, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 11 November 1881 — WASHINGTON’S FUNERAL. [ARTICLE]

WASHINGTON’S FUNERAL.

Ceremonies at the Obsequies of the Nation’s First President. [From tho Ulster County (N. Y.) Gazette, Jan. 4, 1800.] George Town, Dec. 20. On Wednesday last the mortal part of Washington the Great, the father of his country and the friend of man, was consignedto the tomb with solemn honors and funeral pomp. A multitude of persons assembled from miles around at Mount Vernon, the choice abode and last residence of the illustrious chief. There were the groves —the spacious avenues, the beautiful and sublime scenes, the noble mansion —but, alas I the august inhabitant was now no more. His mortal part -was there, indeed; but ah I how affecting ! how awful the spectacle of such ■worth and greatness, thus, to mortal eyes, fallen! Yes I fallen! fallen I

In tho long and lofty portico, where oft the hero walked in all his glory, now lay the shrouded corpse. The countenance, now composed and sereue, seemed to express rhe dignity of the spirit which lately dwelt in that lifeless form. Then those who paid the last sad honors to the benefactor of his country took an impressive, a farewell view. On the ornament at the head of the coffin was inscribed * ‘ Surge ad Judicium,” about the middle of the coffin, “ Gloria Deo,” and on the silver plate ;

1 GENERAL ■ GEORGE WASHINGTON. : • Departed thia Life on the 14th December, : ■ 1799, Aet. 68. 1 Between 3 and 4 o’clock the sound oi artillery from a vessel in the river firing minute" guns awoke afresh our solemn sorrow—the corpse was moved—a band of music with mournful melody melting the soul into all the tenderness of woe. The procession moved in the following order : Cavalry and infantry guard, with arms reversed. Music. Clergy. The General’s horse, with his saddle, holsters and pistols. Col. Simms. :1 CoL Gilpin. Col. Ramsey. ; corpse. ; Col. Marstellu. 001. Payne. •. • 1 Col. Little. Mourners. Masonic brethren. Citizens.

When the procession had arrived at the bottom of the elevated lawn on the banks of the Potomac, where the family vault is placed, the cavalry halted, tbe infantry marched toward the mound and formed their lines, the clergy, the Masonic brothers and the citizens descended to the vault, and the funeral services of the church were performed. The firing was repeated from the vessel in the river, and the sounds echoed from the woods and fields around. Three general discharges by the infantry, the cavalry and eleven pieces of artillery, which lined the banks of the Potomac back of the vault, paid the last tribute to the Commander-in-Chief of the armies of the United States and to the departed hero. The sun was now setting. Alas ! The son of glory was set forever. But no I The name of Washington, the American General and President, shall triumph over death I The unclouded brightness of his glory will illumine the future ages!