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Editorial
May 6, 1830
Litchfield Enquirer
Litchfield, Litchfield County, Connecticut
What is this article about?
Editorial from Washington, April 19, 1880, critiques the excessive and insincere mourning pageantry at the congressional funeral of Virginia Representative Alexander Smyth, praising Massachusetts Baptist churches' efforts to simplify such customs and calling for reform.
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SUPERSTITION AND FOLLY.
Washington, April 19, 1880.
No business was transacted in either House
of Congress to-day, except what appertained
to the funeral of Mr. Alexander Smyth,
one of the Representatives from Virginia. In
sober truth, the funeral pageantry of the occasion
was an antidote to serious reflection.
The Speaker and Clerk of the House, the
President and Clerk of the Senate, the Pall-
bearers, the members of the Virginia Delegation
in both Houses, and the reverend Chaplains,
were decorated with white sashes, in addition
to the crape on the left arm, which they wore
in common with the members of the two Houses.
The Chaplain of the Senate, I observed, made
on his hat a gorgeous display of white satin,
or some other kind of silk, probably not less
than three or four yards, for as he held his
hat in his hand, the rich and flowing weeper,
the certain token of mourning, swept the floor.
When I looked at this preposterous and
absurd display of the outward signs of grief
which had no existence within, I could not
but approve most heartily of the efforts which
have been recently made by some of the Baptist
churches of Massachusetts to induce people to
dispense with the unmeaning and unnecessary
shows of sorrow, which custom has sped them
in their good work! and if they could successfully
extend their efforts to the metropolis of the
Union, and prevent a repetition of the ridiculous
& disgusting mummery which the principal
performers in the funeral solemnities of this
day were partakers, they would produce a reform
that would richly entitle them to a crown of
immortality.--ib.
Washington, April 19, 1880.
No business was transacted in either House
of Congress to-day, except what appertained
to the funeral of Mr. Alexander Smyth,
one of the Representatives from Virginia. In
sober truth, the funeral pageantry of the occasion
was an antidote to serious reflection.
The Speaker and Clerk of the House, the
President and Clerk of the Senate, the Pall-
bearers, the members of the Virginia Delegation
in both Houses, and the reverend Chaplains,
were decorated with white sashes, in addition
to the crape on the left arm, which they wore
in common with the members of the two Houses.
The Chaplain of the Senate, I observed, made
on his hat a gorgeous display of white satin,
or some other kind of silk, probably not less
than three or four yards, for as he held his
hat in his hand, the rich and flowing weeper,
the certain token of mourning, swept the floor.
When I looked at this preposterous and
absurd display of the outward signs of grief
which had no existence within, I could not
but approve most heartily of the efforts which
have been recently made by some of the Baptist
churches of Massachusetts to induce people to
dispense with the unmeaning and unnecessary
shows of sorrow, which custom has sped them
in their good work! and if they could successfully
extend their efforts to the metropolis of the
Union, and prevent a repetition of the ridiculous
& disgusting mummery which the principal
performers in the funeral solemnities of this
day were partakers, they would produce a reform
that would richly entitle them to a crown of
immortality.--ib.
What sub-type of article is it?
Moral Or Religious
Social Reform
What keywords are associated?
Funeral Pageantry
Mourning Customs
Congressional Funeral
Baptist Reform
Social Reform
Superstition
Morality
What entities or persons were involved?
Alexander Smyth
Virginia Delegation
Baptist Churches Of Massachusetts
Chaplain Of The Senate
Congress
Editorial Details
Primary Topic
Critique Of Excessive Mourning Rituals At Congressional Funeral
Stance / Tone
Critical Of Superstitious Displays, Supportive Of Mourning Reform
Key Figures
Alexander Smyth
Virginia Delegation
Baptist Churches Of Massachusetts
Chaplain Of The Senate
Congress
Key Arguments
Funeral Pageantry Was Preposterous And Insincere
Outward Signs Of Grief Lacked Inner Reality
Approve Baptist Efforts To Eliminate Unmeaning Shows Of Sorrow
Custom Hinders Reform In Mourning Practices
Urge Extension Of Reform To Washington To Prevent Ridiculous Mummery