FREE SCHOOL CLARION AND FUNERAL OF ZACHARY TAYLOR

 

Cortland County Express, Thursday, July 25, 1850.

FREE SCHOOL CLARION.

   We have received a paper bearing the above title, and edited by W. L. Crandall, Syracuse, which ably advocates the principles of free schools. Subscription price 25 cents till the first of November. Those wishing to become acquainted with the arguments in favor of this measure will do well to subscribe. We clip the following resolutions from the many that were offered at the late convention at Syracuse:

   By Rev. W. W. Newell, Syracuse—

   Whereas, the middle of the 19th century is too late an age to go back into the twilight of partial Education—therefore

   Resolved, That as representatives of the Empire State we will go home, never to rest from our toil, until throughout her bounds the light of Science is as free as the light of Heaven; until her children, young and old, rich and poor, are alike welcome to her CommonSchools.

   By W. L. Crandall—

   Resolved, That this convention recommend to the several Towns of this State, the formation of Town Associations to secure the discussion of the Free School question.

 

Funeral of Zachary Taylor.

Zachary Taylor.

NEWS OF THE DAY.

(Correspondence of the Tribune.)

BURIAL OF PRESIDENT TAYLOR.

The Body of Gen. Taylor as it appeared in State—The Coffin—The Funeral Car—The Funeral Arrangements—Probable Cost of the Affair, &c., &c.

   WASHINGTON, Saturday, July 13.—At the Presidential Mansion thousands upon thousands were thronging all yesterday afternoon to get a view of the mortal remains of the President of the United States as they reposed in state in the famous East Room.

THE CORPSE.

   The body looked almost as natural as in health, when moving, as I have frequently seen it through the now gloomy apartments of the Presidential Mansion. The features were full and firm with no signs of decomposition whatever. Its preservation was no doubt referable to the refrigeratory process to which it had been subjected. It may be said to have been literally frozen.

THE COFFIN.

   The remains were placed in a neat mahogany coffin. The shroud was trimmed with fluted satin of snowy whiteness, which showed very neatly through a pane large enough to expose the entire face, neck and breast. The coffin was lined first with thick lead sheeting, and then with white satin. The exterior of the coffin was covered with fine black broadcloth and ornamented with eight silver eagles. Over the coffin was thrown a pall, of the same material, trimmed with heavy silver tassels attached to the corners. To the coffin eight heavy mounted silver handles were attached—four at each end and two on each side. On top of the coffin was the usual memorial plate, presenting the dates of birth, death, &c.

THE CATAFALQUE.

   The Catafalque was placed opposite the most Southerly door of the East Room. It consisted of a pedestal raised about four feet from the floor, and ascended by steps, the whole being carpeted with black velvet. Over the whole was a canopy, resting upon curved supports and arched in Eastern style. This was curtained with rich silks festooned in alterations of black and white. The tout ensemble was very effective, the white affording an agreeable relief to the eye amid the somber aspect of the room, with its immense mirrors and brilliant chandeliers shrouded in bombazine of raven blackness.

THE FUNERAL CAR.

   The Funeral Car represented a heavily and long coupled running gear with wheels carved from solid blocks of wood. The Car body was twelve feet by six in dimensions, all covered with black. On it was arranged a Daile [dolly] for support of the Coffin. From this was raised a canopy covered with broadcloth, surmounted by a magnificent gilt Eagle. From the canopy hung curtains of black and white silk in alternating festoons, with rosettes, fringes and tassels. The pall was arranged in like manner, sweeping to the ground, hiding the car from view completely. On the Coffin was thrown en négligé the sword and martial costume of the departed, and a profusion of emblematic flowers culled and arrayed with appropriate garlands.

THE HORSES.

   The Car was drawn by eight white horses. They were richly but not gaudily comparisoned and led by eight careful grooms. These were exclusively white men. They dressed in plain suits of black without any livery.

OLD WHITEY AND THE GROOM.

   The venerable war steed followed immediately behind the remains of his devoted owner. He was richly comparisoned and wore his accustomed saddle, surmounted by the holsters, &c. He was led by Mr. Schwartman, a clerk in the Post Office department, who claimed this honor in consideration of past associations. He served thirteen long years with Gen. Taylor in the Indian Wars—part of the time as an Orderly Sergeant. The old War-steed was an object of peculiar interest to the more curious of the multitude who gazed upon the pageant.

THE UNDERTAKERS, &c.

   The Undertaker of the Funeral was S. Kirby. The Funeral Car was designed by Wm. H. Winter, and built by Haslup & Weeden. These artisans are all Washingtonians. They procured the most costly of their materials in Baltimore; and some of them are indeed costly. For example, I am informed that some of the tassels cost as high as ten dollars.

COST OF THE FUNERAL.

   When it is remembered that the pall of the coffin alone was ornamented with eight of these, some idea of the cost of the whole arrangement may be formed. The coffin can not have cost less than five hundred dollars; and the expenditure on the East Room alone must have cost at least a thousand dollars. From a hurried estimate I do not hesitate to venture over on hundred thousand dollars as the cost, direct and collateral, of this pageant, including the removal of the remains to Louisiana. This may seem large, until the nature of the case is considered. Of course, I include the expenditures at all the Forts, Arsenals, &c., transporting of troops to and fro, &c., &c. The Telegraphic bills alone of the government will amount to hundreds of dollars, a great number of dispatches having been sent after office hours and at extra rates accordingly. The item of glazed muslin used in this city at Government expense would astonish many people if aware of its cost. Twenty thousand yards at least have been used. All the hacks in this city were engaged at five dollars apiece, &c. I have not made my estimate in any spirit of complaint, by no means. I should have been ashamed of my country were a few thousand dollars of her immense income suffered to produce hesitation in such a case as this. Parsimony of expenditure would be unworthy of our proud nation on such a momentous occasion.

   SIGMA.

 

TO THE PATRONS OF THE EXPRESS.

   As Mr. Benedict has thought proper to retire from the chair "Editorial" of the Express, the duty of its publication now devolves upon us. In presenting ourself before the public as sole manager of the Express, we shall not pretend to possess sufficient ability to discharge the duties devolving upon us; but it shall be our aim to labor unweariedly to continue the sheet as near possible what it has been under the supervision of its late editor, a newspaper suitable for the family circle. We shall labor to make its columns such, as will have a tendency to elevate the mind, and correct the moral principles of the heart, rather than to please the fun loving or sensual appetite, so interwoven with our very natures. With regard to matters and things in general we shall labor to maintain an independent course encouraging what we deem to be just, and shall condemn the wrong.

   The Express thus far has been as successful as we could expect, considering the circumstances by which we are surrounded. In a small county, with two political presses with which to "divide the spoils," and more than this, to contend with the principle that a newspaper cannot be worth its subscription price unless it possesses that acrimonious spirit so much cultivated by the political press throughout the country; and thereby teaching the young reader that every man is his enemy that does not think like himself—and further, that we cannot get a correct idea of the character of the numerous candidates for office, held up by the political parties; unless the belligerent Editors ransack their brains and creation beside, to traduce the man and hold him up to the world covered with this foul-mouthed filth without one redeeming quality.

   But with this spirit we have not contended in vain. Many now subscribe, pay for and read the Express, who once thought the idea "independent" a humbug, who are willing to acknowledge that the best criterion by which to judge a man is by his acts. This course we aim to pursue to give the results of political actions of all parties, when we touch upon the subject, and leave every man to form his own opinions and by it regulate his future course.

   To our subscribers who appreciate and pay us for our labor we would say, we hope you will not cut our acquaintance but will manifest patience and forbearance toward us, while we try our hand at the helm of our small craft; and we hope for better success than to "swamp her" and thus give you a ducking in the great ocean on which we have embarked.

   Notwithstanding the idea of a country newspaper being independent, yet some portions of our county have ventured to become acquainted with our sheet, and we now consider them as firm friends. Among the foremost of the surrounding villages and towns, we would mention Cortland village, as nobly aiding us in our efforts, and we shall long remember them with gratitude, and hope not only for a continuance of their patronage under our new arrangement, but an increase. Freetown and Solon contributes nobly to the little Independent sheet, and among her hardy yeomanry we number many fast friends. Virgil, Marathon, Texas Valley, and other villages seem to delight to aid and encourage our enterprise. Homer village has a few choice spirits but beyond this she seems cooped up within her own interests and to feel bound to support her own paper whether it is goof for anything or not. Yet many read the Express even if they have to borrow it. Little York, Preble, Scott and Truxton, together with Cuyler and Fabius, have sent their names and their money to forward our enterprise, while we number many subscribers in the surrounding counties, who send up their yearly sum, and thereby flatter us that they are pleased with the little "dim weekly."

   May we not hop for a continuance of their patronage in future, although new hands are on the helm. If we are thus encouraged, be assured friends, we shall labor to interest you and your households by our weekly visits, but if we fail, it will be because we lack spirit of discernment to gather choice matter from the field of literature, science and the kingdom of newspaperdum, rather than a dilatory spirit that would eat the bread of idleness or gain a support without giving to our readers something that would please or benefit them, as a small remuneration for the money they pay us.

   Our juvenile friends will not be forgotten, but we shall serve up something for them, and hope…to aid them in forming a taste for sound reading which will fit them for usefulness in future life.