Evening star., 1901-09-19

and yet II was all so natural and free from
stimulation or affectation that he was al
ways. without any sacrifice of dignity or
change of manner. Familiarity at home
with Abraham Lincoln's common people
Of America.
He Loved His Countrymen.
He loved his countrymen and was never
so happy as when in their midst. From
them he constantly gathered suggestions
and ideas and wisdom. The cares of state
were never so exacting that he could not
give consideration to the humblest, and
his mind was never so troubled that his
heart was not full of mercy.
As public speaker he had few equals.
His voice was of pleasing tone and unusual
carrying power. He had 1t under complete
control. He could adapt 1t perfectly to
any audience or any subject. 1t was al
ways In tune with the occasion. From one
end of the land to the other he was con-
Stantiy in demand for public addresses.
He responded to more such calls probably
than any other orator of his time. Most of
his speeches were Of a political character,
yet he made many addresses on other SUBJ
jects; but no matter when or where or on
what subject he spoke, he never dealt in
offensive personalities. He drove home his
points and routed his antagonist with
merciless logic, but never in any other
way wounded his sensibilities.
The remarkable tale Is not all told
No language can adequately tell of his
devoted love and tender affection for the
invalid partner of all his joys and sorrows.
Amidst his many honors and trying
duties, she ever reigned supreme in his at
fections.
The story of this love has gone to the
ends of the earth. and is written in the
hearts of all mankind everywhere. 1t is
full of tenderness, full of pathos, and full
of honor.
1t will be repeated and cherished as long
as the name of William Mckinley shall
live.
1t was these great qualities Of the heart
that gave him the place he holds in the az
fections of other peoples. They claim him
for humanity's sake, because they find in
him an expression of their highest aspira-
tiOn.
BY common consent. he honored the whole
him.
But he was more than gentle.
He was thoroughly religious. and too re-
ligious to be guilty Of any bigotry.
His broad, comprehensive views of man
and his duty in his relations to God en-
abled him to have charity and respect for
all who differed from his belief.
His faith solaced him in life, and did not
fail him when the supreme test came.
When he realized the work Of the as
sassin, his first utterance was prayer that
God would forgive the crime.
As he surrendered himself to unconscious
ness, from which he might never awake,
that surgery could do it's work. he gently
breathed the Lords Prayer, Thy kingdom
come, Thy will be done
And when the dread hour of dissolution
overlook him and the last touching fare
well had been spoken, he sank to rest
murmuring, Nearer. my God, to Thee"
This was his last triumph, and his great
est. His whole life was given to humanity,
but in his death we find his most priceless
legacy.
The touching story of that death-bed
scene will rest on generations yet unborn
like soothing benediction.
Such Christian fOrtltude and resignation
give us a clearer conception of what was
in the apostles mind when he exclaimed.
80 death, where is thy sting? grave,
where is thy victory?'