Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1901-09-24
THE M'kINLEY MEMORIAL.

THE M'kiNLEY MEMORIAL.
Already considerable public discus
sion has been had in various parts Of
the country as to the most suitable
memorial to be erected in honor of the
martyred President, William McKin-
ley That his character and accom-
plishments are generally regarded as
worthy of such tribute has been more
seven days.
The most familiar memorial to
President Lincoln is probably the
tomb erected by the state of Illinois,
in which his remains are guarded at
Springfield. This and the stately sta
tue of the great emancipation standing
at the southern entrance of Lincoln
park in Chicago are very appropriate
means of informing future generations
of the regard held for the preserver
Of the Union by the people of his time
The pillar in the city of Cleveland,
and the statue at Washington, stand
ing in recognition of the work OF
James A. Garfield, the second martyr
ed President, serve a like purpose.
The tall monument at the national
capitol built by all the states in honor
of the first President is probably the
most imposing work of this class in
the country.
Next to it in dignity, and surprising
it in beauty, is the tomb in Riverside
Park, New York City, in which rest
the remains of General Grant. funds
for the construction of which were
raised by popular subscription.
| One of the leading cities on the Pa
cific coast has suggested that most
appropriate memorial for President
Mckinley would be large hospital
built in some city in the central Dor
ton of the country; committee has
there been selected to promote the
idea. 1t is thought the necessary
means could be secured by subscrip.
ton or from congress. Another plan
which is being widely advocated favors
the construction of a memorial arch
across Pennsylvania avenue in Wash.
| ington, corresponding to the Arch OF
Triumph built by the French people in
Paris, begun by Napoleon and com
pleted after his downfall. While the
Mckinley arch would be an imposing
edifice to hand down to coming ages
Gs indicative of the esteem in which
he was held by his fellow men, &
great hospital would perpetuate his
name as effectually and in it's worl
in caring for sick and injured man
kind would be common blessing liv
: ing through the years and be far more
suitable than any silent lifeless struc
ture of stone which might be raised
for the purpose.
The Mckinley national hospita
would preserve the name as much al
it needs be preserved outside of his
tory, would call attention to his pa
tience and suffering, would be typica
of the progress in industry of tn,
American people as shown in the avail
ability of a we'll equipped hospital OF
the exposition grounds prepared TO
the emergency which arose, and woul
speak Of the struggle of advanced ant
modern surgery in it's attempt to saw
his life.
1t may be questioned by som
whether such hospital should b.
built and maintained with publ
funds, especially as it would benefi
the city in which it was located NOR
: than other portions of the country
There is no question, however, that b,
active work of large committee O
representative men chosen from al
the states the sum of million dollar
required for such a memorial built
ing could be raised by popular sui
9 scription within comparatively shol
time.