Macon beacon. [volume] (Macon, Miss.) 1859-1995, 1890-06-07
ter referring to his war and political history

after referring to his war and political history
said:
His elevation to the Presidency was rather
the evidence OF his countrymen's DIN ration OF
him as a popular legislative leader, tn n a sig
nihcant part Of his w career. Cut Oh prema'
turcly, his administration had no opportunity
In carry out any large policy, The large grasp
and ability he had shown in every other part OF
his life is sufficient 10 warrant our faith that 1t
would have been marked hy broad stat Sman
ship and manifest power; but IL was Gods win
that his work as legislator should remain the
thing which will ever be distinetively his. The
rest is among the might have beenS big
with many grand possibilities not to ripen into
full ~fruition.
In conclusion the speaker said; Men of all
parties have united to build this memorial and
to place this statue upon It's PEDESTAL to com
memorate these virtues and these services. An
tagonisms are here forgotten. Cynical carpiug
has no place here. The good, the great, the
strong, the wise and the patriotic were all so
ahundan in him that out of them the young of
the coming generations may construct an Ideal
on which to mould themselves. The weak
nesSes, the limitations, the imperfections Incl,
dent to human nature and which every man
must humbly acknowledge his share In, may
here be dropped from view and the model to he
initiated is made up of those noble and gcner-
Gus qualities which were 80 marked in the man
we honor to day.
The people OF this land, far aud near are at
this very hour decorating the graves of their
fallen patriots and heroes with alectionate and
heartfelt love and reverence. Our task is part
OF theirs. We join our countrymen in the low
ing duty. This memorial is a permanent deco
ration OF the tomb whore lies the boly OF a sol
der and q patriot whose services to his country
were so great and so brilliant that the dignity
OF this structure and the durability of this
monument only gives hitting expression to the
solidity of trust, the honor and regard with
which the American people cherish the memory
OF such as he, May it be to us and our children
the continuing lesson in patriotic endeavor
which it was designed to be; and may many
generations, as they look upon it, find il stimu-
lating them to that nobler manhood which shall
develop our free institutions into all they ought
TO be.
The Grafton occupied in its delivery
n hour and ten minutes. Towards the
end dark clouds doomed up in the east,
and there were several sharp peals of
thunder. The audience, becoming
weary, called time on the speaker and
also INDUCED in several rounds of ironi-
cal applause, but he kept on to the end
Of his manuscript. After the "lIallelu-
iah Chorus" had been rendered the Pres
ident was introduced and received a
warm welcome. In a remarkably vigor-
Gus manner, and with numerous gestic-
ulations he spoke as follows:
Fellow citizens; Tho selection for these OK.
ercises Of this day consecrated to the memory
of those who died that there might be one flag
OF honor and authority In this Republic, Is
most fitting. This beautiful and imposing mon.
ument fitly typifes the grand and symmetrical
character of him In whose honor it has been
buildcd. His was the hrduous greatness of
things done No ladder of preferment was
fashioned and placed by other hands for his
ambition. He framed and nailed the cleats
upon which his aspiring feet rose to the sum.
mitS OF public usefulness and fame. He did not
cease to be student and teacher when he left
the academic halls. As n volunteer soldier
he quickly made himself familiar with tactics
and strategy, and impaired in q brief army ca.
reer some valuable lessons in military science.
He was a profound student of the political his.
tory OF his country, and one OF the most brilliant
and instructive OF the great debaters who have
appeared in the National Congress. What he
would have been and done In the Presidency is
chiefly left to friendly augury. based upon u ca
reer that had no incident of failure or made
quacy. The sudden, cruel and mysterious term.
nation OF his career had only one amclioration
space OF life was given him to teach from
his dying bed q great lesson OF patience and low
ing forbearancc. His mortal part will find here
will continue TO be inspiring and instructive in
in American history.
There was hearty applause mingled
with cries for Mckinley when the Pres
ident resumed his seat. Vice President
Morton, who was next brought forward,
spoke briefly. He referred to his per-
sonal acquaintance with the dead Prcsi-
dent, and said that his life was a lesson
and an inspiration to the youth of the
land. The more the people cherished
his memory and needed his lofty teach