Willmar tribune. [volume] (Willmar, Minn.) 1895-1931, 1901-09-18
OFFICIAL NEWSPAPER OF COUNTY.
WEDNESDAY. SEPT. Is, 1901
the DEATH OF Mckinley.

the DEATH OF WckINlEv.
"The president is dead"
At 2:l5 last Saturday morning these
sad words flashed over the wires to
every part of the country.
Thursday evening thepeoplethrough-
out the country were rejoicing because
it seemed almost a certainty that the
president would be spared to US. The
wounds we're reported almost healed,
the fever had gone down, and the pa
tient had been allowed to take solid
nourishment for the first time since the
shooting. The doctors were very con-
fdent. All seemed we'll.
Like thunderbolt from clear. sky
came the news Friday morning that
the president was sinking fast and that
there was scarcely any hope. Heart
failure had begun and even the most
powerful heart stimulants known to
medical science were unavailing. At
times there we're slight rallies, but
only to be succeeded by another sink
ing spell.
Everywhere on the streets were
groups of anxious people, inquiring
for news. GLOW is the president?
''Have you heard anything lately?"
These questions took the place of the
ordinary greetings between persons
meeting on the sidewalk. Business
was almost suspended. No one could
take any interest in his ordinary vo-
cation, The minds of the people were
in Buffalo, gathered around the bed
side of William Mckinley and watch
ing with fast sinking hopes that strug-
gle between life and death.
Along towards evening it became
apparent that hope was gone and that
ere another morn should dawn the
soul of William Mckinley would have
winged its flight to q better world.
The end came peacefully. He had
been unconscious most of the time
during the last twenty-four hours but
recovered consciousness before death.
He bid his faithful aud loving wife
goodby, then murmured: "This is
Gods way, not ours" Then he fell
into the sleep that knows no waking
on this earth.
Thus closed the earthly career, of
President William Mckinley, and all
feel that noble character has passed
away. His Christian fortitude and
resignation, his solicitude for the well
fare of his wife and his forgiving spir-
it have shown to us the man as he
really was. It is Often difficult to tell
how much earnestness there is in the
professions OF q politician. But in
the dr. I'D presence of the angel OF
death there is no acting. There the
true man comes to the surface. And
what we have learned of Mckinley
during the last week has convinced
every honest man that, though we may
differ from him in opinions, we can
not doubt his earnest desire to do what
he considered was best for the coun-
try under the circumstances. What
his rank as statesman shall be it is
yet too early to determine. His ad-
herents in politics will laud him to the
skies. His opponents will prefer to
let the future determine it. It is diff
cult to judge from an unfinished build
ing of new style what rank to give
the architect. It is only when the
building is finished and time has
proven that the architect had planned
it we'll and laid the found alton secure
ly that we can pass intelligent judg.
ment. William McKinley's work is
not finished, but it will be taken up by
those in sympathy with his work. For
good or Ill it was the most momentous
period of our history. It's effects will
probably be felt as long as our nation
exists. 1t will influence not only this
nation but the entire world. Wha,
that influence will be it would take ar
all-wise being to determine absolutely
We can only entertain opinion. Thu
future will reveal the facts. If he was
right none will be more glad of it thar
those who opposed his policies honest.
~, for they only sought the good Of
the country and of humanity. If he
was mistaken the judgment will be
she was only human and not ompi,
scient; he failed in judgment, but hi
honestly strove to do right. = n /.
It is inexpressibly sad that this
earnest Christian statesman should
thus in the midst of his life-work fall
2 victim to the blind, unreasoninq
tool Of the enemies Of law and order.
The blow was not aimed at Mckinley
but at our government, and ID thai
way it failed to accomplish It's aim.
The bullet killed the president; It may
kill his beloved wife; it wounded the
feelings Of every loyal heart in the
nation; but, thank God !, it did moi
damage our government. Instead 81
dissolving it united. IL showed that
$ the hour 81 trial the American PEG.
pie are : INIT for the preservation 81