The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1901-09-24

jurist and eloquent advocate.
). When just 33 years old in 1876. he
was elected to Congress and continued to
he reelected till he had served for ! / con-
secutiye years.
As legislator and debator he soon
rose to distinction and was made chair
man of the Committee of Ways and
Means. and the acknowledged leader of
his party in the House. In that capacity
he became the author and framer of the
famous law known as the Mckinley
Tariff Bill.
q. In 1891 he was elected governor Of
Ohio, and was reelected in 1893.
Z. His distinguished services in Con-
gress and in the gubernatorial chair
placed him before the country and his
party az one of the foremost citizens,
patriots and statesmen OF the land, and
he was nominated for President on the
first ballot by the Republican convention
which met at st. Louis, in 1896. He
was elected and took his seat in March
1897.
His able faithful and clean administra-
tion OF the affairs of the government
secured for him n second nomination and
And a nation is draped in
mourning today because he could not
live to iii ont his full term.
While the country is full of politicians
and partisans, we have but few men with
such broad and enlightened views of the
science Of gOyernment-such political
wisdom and patriotism, as entitle them
to bc recognized az statesmen. Concensus
OF public opinion in this and other cOun-
tries is that VIM Mckinley was both a
patriot and a statesman. His admins.
trations were able and patriotic, and his
pnblic life, like his private character, was
without blemish orreproach. No wonder
that the death OF such a man should
be regarded as a national calamity.
But the browning glory in the unique
character of Maj. Mckinley was his
simple. .chid-like unfaltering trust in God.
He was n Christian-a true disciple oil
him who came not to be ministered unto
but to minister. While mere youth he
proiessed faith in Christ and united with
the Methodist church, and TO the day OF
his death led an exemplary Christian life.
The affairs of State and the cares and
honors of high official positions did not
swerye him from his allegiance to his
King.
Faithful found
His loyalty he kept, his zeal, his love;
Not numbers, nor example with him
wrought
To swerve from truth, or change his
constant mind.
In this respect ,as well in Others, how
like our own immortal RO. +. Lee and
peerless Jackson was Maj. Mckinley. The
genuineness OF his religion was shown in
his last trying hours in the struggle with
death. | have been touched and impressed
az | have thought of the similarity be-
tween his death and that ofanother good
and great man, Dwight l.. Moody. After
a brave fight for life for days during,
which time life had been simply pro-
longed by strong heart tonic, Moody
said to his physicians; CDR, let me go,
see the earth receding, the heavens
opening and God is calling, let me go"
And so only few hours before Mr.. Nc
Kinley's death, when perfectly himself,
he asked to see his wife, and as she en-
tered his room, he smiled and began
Nearer, My God, To Thee. "
and then bidding her and all about him
goodbye" said, "This is Gods way,
and his will be done, not mine"
Since God has said, 1.-The righteous shall
be in everlasting remembrance" the name
and fame of our late lamented President
will go down to the remotest generations
as a dutiful son, q tender and faithful
husband, an upright citizen, a brave
soldier, wise legislator, an able iurist, a
benevolent ruler, true patriot, a real
statesman, and an exemplary Christian.
The practical lessons to be gathered
from the unique life and tragic death OF
Major Mckinley are so important that
they should be gathered up and utilized.
1. First see what a man may be and
do. in spite OF unfavorable early environ
ments. il he has industry, integrity, a
laudable ambition, and high purpose,
to be and do the best his circumstances
allow.
McKinley's. early advantages were
slender. He did not receive a collegiate
training. He was educated in the village
school at Niles, and in an academy at
Poland. True, at the age OF 16, he en-
tered Allegheny College, Pa, but had to
leave Immediately thereafter on account
of illness, and never returned. At the
age of II he taught a district school at
a salary OF $25 per month, and thus
aided his father. who had failed in busi-
ness, in taking care OF his family. Step by
step he rose higher and higher, and at his
death was the foremost citizen OF an en-
Iightened nation OTIS, 100000 Of people.
Young men, do not be discouraged, II
your surroundings are not as favorable
as you could wish. With a high aim in
life, application and integrity, the path
way to usefulness, honor and even fame, is
open to you. Make the stumbling blocks
which lie in your pathway stepping
stones to future distinction.
2. Another practical lesson to be
learned on this mournful occasion is one
of eontentment with our sphere in life,
however, humble. Let any rising ambi-
ton for place and power be checked. II
President Mckinley could speak today,