The Billings gazette. [volume] (Billings, Mont.) 1896-1919, 1901-09-17
WILLIAM M'kINLEY.

fears had been grOundleSs and that
the recovery of it's beloved president
vas a certainty and when sorrow had
given way to sincere and grateful joy
came the startling news that a relapse
had occurred in the patients condi-
ton and that the end was to be ap-
pretended with alarm. Again hope
was buoyed by later announcements
Of al 'improvement and again the peo-
pie took courage and believed that
the splendid constitution of the suf-
ferer and the skill of the surgeons
would avert what all considered would
be a national calamity. But hope
vas doomed to disappointment, sur
gical skill proved of no avail and
the noble life which hal been dedicat-
ed to it's country's service has ended.
The mind which once animated the
man is stilled and only the ~lifeless
clay is left of him who was beloved
by those whom he governed as was
no other president ever beloved
and his memory is teDsllriue6
in the hearts of a sorrowing and
stricken nation.
To the many to whom lofty patriot
ism, manly virtue and purity in official
and private life appeal as the en-
bodiment of the highest ideals of true
American citizenship the death of
William Mckinley comes as a per-
sonal loss. In him were incarnated
the virtues that go to make the mob
lest type of American manhood, the
standard to which all who aspire to
the highest and best in life must look
for inspiration and example. In him
We're blended to a degree seldom Civ
a to one man to possess all the quail
rtles OF heart and mind which unite
to make the n SO endowed the en-
bodlment of every trait that marks
the man distinguished above his fell
lows for all that stands typical of
exalted manhood and true worth. q
AS a soldier carrying his musket
in the ranks of those whom patriot
ism and devotion to country and love
for it's institutions had impelled to
battle for the cause which they be-
lieved right and were willing to up
hold that right to the extent of yield
ing their lives, William Mckinley gave
the first evidence of his loyalty and
intense patriotism which subsequent
~ marked his actions and career
when elected to fill the higher. civil
position to which he was called. To
him country and the welfare and hap
plness Of its citizens were ever first
IN the things that e%ngrossed his mind.
While honored as but few men are
honored, to him acceptance of those
honors was but armeans of rendering
service to the land of his birth and
lie people who were his fellow citi-
ems.
AS the statesman his course in all
things was prompted by one desire
to serve we'll those who had reposed
their confidence in him and to pro-
mote the interests and happiness of
the entire people. Gifted with a mind
OF unusual clearness and the faculty
OF fully comprehending matters and
their ultimate bearing on men and
conditions, he legislated not only for
the time being. but for the future,
1t was this power of penetrating into
the beyond and his ability to under
stand and carefully weigh conditions
that enabled him to give to the coun-
try the measure bearing his name
and which was the first step in the
direction of u%pbuilding American com
merce and manufacture. With the
instinct and clear sightedness of the
real statesman he ave to the United
States the first law that resulted in
instilling life into American manu-
featuring industry and freeing it from
the weight of European competition
and placing it in a position where ii
could meet on an equal footing with
that of the rest of the world. Not
only were established Industries fos
tered and placed on a firm footing
but new ones were encouraged anG
endowed with the life and vigor which
enabled them to successfully NEE
and compete with those of foreign
lands, made rich and powerful by
years Of successful operation and al
most absolute absence Of competition
But this was not all that in the wis
dom Of his s he accomplished
He raised the standard Of the Amer
ican workingman until he became tn