"A most impressive incident in connection with the celebration occurred during the visit of the distinguished party to the tomb of Lincoln. Robert T. Lincoln, son of the martyred president, stood by the sarcophagus in which the remains of his father rest, and stood with tear-dimmed eyes in silent meditation with Ambassadors Bryce and Jusserand, William Jennings Bryan, Sen J.P. Dolliver, Governor Deneen and others of the party. At the base of the monument old soldiers who had responded to Lincoln's call to arms stood guard with fixed bayonets. The party was escorted in its tour by Major E.S. Johnson, custodian.

"Special significance was given the excercises at the Lincoln monument in Oak Ridge cemetery by the attendance of the distinguished visitors of the Lincoln Centennial associaton. The out-of-the-city guests accompanied by prominent Springfield residents, spent an hour at the tomb of the man the world was honoring - "one of the most sacred hours of my life," as one distinguished visitor said upon his departure.

"Standing guard, during the visit of the party, and continuing the duty until late into the afternoon, the men who loved Lincoln more, perhaps, than all others, remained silent at their posts. The wind whistled over the hill upon which the monument stands. The chilly driving rain added to the discomfort of the old soldiers who were re-enacting the days of 1861-65, but they stood their ground with faithfulness which won them the honor and the admiration of the world, and not until the gray dusk was setting over the hills and ravines of picturesque Oak Ridge, did they relinquish their posts.

"Without a doubt, the party of yesterday was the most distinguished which ever looked upon the casket containing the martyr's remains. Representatives of foriegn nations, national leaders, leading citizens of Illinois and prominent Springfield residents were in the group which stood for a moment with heads bare, reflecting upon the teachings and example of the man who was struck down. Each of the visitors was accompanied by a local resident and the visit to the monument was carried out as planned by the committee. "Throughout the time the party was at the monument the Watch Factory band played a dirge. The five-hundred people who had gathered to pay homage to the memory of America's greatest statesman stood silently by giving the party ample time in which to complete their tour. Immediately after the visit to the Lincoln monument the party was driven to the Illini Country Club, where an informal luncheon was served."

-Ill.State Register-

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