The year was 1852, and if you had been standing on the street corner of Washington, D.C., as this funeral procession made its way down the street, you would have been extremely impressed. First of all, you would have seen standing on that same street with you, with his head bowed, his hat removed, and tears in his eyes, the President of the United States.

Next to him you would have seen his cabinet, most of congress, and dignitaries from Berlin, London, Tokyo, and Africa.

The crowds lined the streets by the thousands, watching this casket, draped in the American flag, as it slowly made its way down the street. As a matter of fact, had no one told you any differently, you would have thought it was the President himself that was being buried.

Who was this man who commanded such respect an…