Evening Post. THURSDAY, JUNE 21, 1906. VALE!

Evening Post, Volume LXXI, Issue 146, 21 June 1906, Page 4

Evening Post. THURSDAY, JUNE 21, 1906. VALE !

♦ Farewell 1 This was the keynote of the impressive ceremonial of to-day. Reverently, and with every mtyrk of honour symbol of sorrow, the people of this country have laid the mortal remains of a distinguished leader in the tomb. For years the most conspicuous figure in our public life, the late Pre- . mier had once and again compelled the attention of the Empire by his strenuous life and commanding personality; and to-day not only every organised institutior in the land, but countries and colonies far romoto, were represented around hia grave. For days past visitors from far and near have been crowding to the capital to witness and take part in the obsequies ; and the result has been an assemblage that will long be remembered— one such as Wellington has never beforo seen, and such as it may not see again in a. lifetime. It is in accord with immemorial custom that the last rites should be made the occasion of every demonstration of respect. At the graveside one thought is ever uppermost, and all are united, as nowhere else they can be, in one common bond. There all are equal. Compelled, as men then are, to recogniso eternal verities, the strifes and conflicts of life disappear like exhalations — their littleness and futility are emphasised. Prejudices vanish, kindly judgments rule, and all men for the time are brethren. Opponents and supporters, friends and political _ adversaries, without any sacrifice of principle, call to mind and exalt all that was best in the departed. It is realised, too, that the figures that hay« loomed largest in public vision seen in true perspective, fill but a little space. It, is well indeed for mankind that it is so — that no man, however important his duties or great hi« responsibilities, is indispensable. The world and its work go on — must go on — <as ever. For a time a shadow falls and obscures the vision, but only for a time. It is otherwise with the bereaved : the stroke falls heavily on them, their grief is keen and long-abiding. It hius some alleviation in the tender sympathy of all around ; and •till more when tokens of appreciation

[ come from far and wide. It seems not | to be without significance that the imposing ceremony should have closed as the evening shadows of the shortest day descended upon the city. ' For it is the day and hour of the changing year when young and old alike look forward with the assurance that brighter and more genial days are at hand. And we doubt not that some such unspoken feeling was m the minds of many of the great assemblage—one in purpose and one in sympathp-as it bade the lost farewell to the honoured dead.