The evening times. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1895-1902, 1901-09-20
AT THE SOLDIERS CLUB.
A High Tribute TO the Dead Presf-
dent by Col. George {. Ross.

The Soldiers. Sailors and Marines Club
observed yesterday with a service of
prayer and euioEy in memory Of the late
President The ceremonies were solemn
and impressive and the defenders Of the
country turned out in force 20 honor the
memory Of their late chief The parIors
of the club, at 81 Street northwest. were
crowded with the members Of the club
and their numerous friends and many
strangers found their way into the hos
pitable doors of the clubhouse 70 listen
10 the words Of love and SORROW that IsE
from the lips Of the president Of the club.
Miss Lavina Chase. and a number OF in
vited speakers.
The services opened with prayer by Rev.
Mr.. French. and after the singing Of q
hymn by the assembly and the reading Of
the xxx and Nc psalms by Mrs. KeItun.
President of the Woman's Army and
Navy League. and the recital Of the spe-
cial prayer Of the Bishop Of Washington
Miss HalloweH read a poem entitled The
White House Lily" TIE club quartette
sang Lead, Kindly light. This was fol-
lowed by an address delivered by Col
George c. Ross. who spoke at length on
the nobility of mind and purity Of heart
Of the late President Ross said in part.
we cannot be I'm our best 20
make speeches. We cannot find
words 20 give our thoughts and
feelings fun expression We all feel that
one Of our best friends has left us for
ever. Perhaps in all American history
there never was a man who was so uni
versally beloved by the people as William
Mckinley We learned to know him be
fore he became the Chief Magistrate Of
this country. We know that he knew
the needs Of the poor. because ne was
poor himself in his youth and knew their
suTeTiugs and privatious- His sympathy
for the poor never Ieft him. and all his
efforts while IN the halls of Congress were
to a very large measure intended to anne
liOrate the conditions Of the poor and the
laboring man There is not a labOring
man in this country whose wages has
been raised during the last five years
but has been indirectly benefited in that
direction by William Mckinley
To think that an American citizen. not
a foreigner. should have committed
his assassination is ceplorable and food
for thought. " nat could the assassin
have had In his heart against William
Mckinley His idea was possibly 70
strike down the President. but surely not
William Mckinley, the man. When Lin
close of q bloody war and when feeling
ran high. But In this case there was no
dissensiOn or internal disruption and we
are at a loss 70 comprehend the deed
William Mckinley was great IN his
goodness. and good in his greatness. We
may differ in our opinions. but there Is
no reason why We should not be friends
Ii is, indeed. proper that we should eN-
press our honest opinions and II is PROB
ably for the best that We cannot agree on
all questions.
William McHinley's speech at Buffalo
VIII go down the ages along with W ash
ingtOu's Farewell Address and Lincoln 8
Gettysburg address. The ideas prOmul-
out by Mr.. Roosevelt, thus signifying how
highly the new President regarded the
wisdom Of Mr. Mckinley The death Of
the latter teaches one thing and that is
obedience 20 the laws, and his first words
after he had been stricken down expressed
his anxiety on behalf Of the assassin
There are few Christians who can think
Of defending the man who committed such
kiulCy did not want him harmed This
is the key 20 Mr.. Mckinley whole life
and character"
Colonel Ross SPOKE of the good influence
of President Mckinley while a member
OF Congress and said that he always knew
how 10 win the love and respect Of his
political adVersaTies by his gentle and
kind manners. He said that Mckinley
would have more influence on the cause
Of Christianity than any martyr who died
In the early ages.
After the singing by the assembly Of
the hymn, Jesus, Lover of Ny Soul "
Miss Layinia Chase introduced Dr- Cox.
OF Ohio. who paid a very touching trib-
words by Mrs. HigglusOu, the wife Of the
rear admiral. and the singing Of the
hymn, Nearer Ny Cod 70 Thee" Rev.
Dir. French offered prayer and pronounced