The Irish standard., 1901-09-28


tidence that an essential forerunner ia
new era of national progress must
be feeling of contentment in every
section of the union and generous
belief that the benefits and burdens OF
government would be common to all
Himself conspicuous illustration OF
what ability and ambition may dc
under republican institutions, he loved
his country with a passion of patriotic
devotion, and every waking thought
was given to her advancement. He
was an American in all his aspirations,
and he looked to the destiny and intlu-
ence of the United States with the
philosophic composure of Jefferson
and the demonstrative confidence OF
John Adams"
All this might be fittingly applied to
Mckinley. His ambition for the sue
cess Of his administration was certain
ly of the highest order. His aim was
to serve the best interests Of the coun-
try. He was called to pilot the ship
OF state during it's passage through
one Of the most critical and trying
political storms that had ever assailed
it. His administration, his advisers,
his motives and his methods We're
assailed by his political opponents
with the keenest weapons Of sarcasm,
with unwearied persistency, and rare
intellectual power. All political diff
ferences are forgotten in our great
national sorrow. The virtues of VIM.
Mckinley alone are remembered, and
his country has abiding faith in the
sincerity of his purpose to render it
faithful and noble service.
Men will not always approve Of Nc
Kinley's policy, but all Americans will
agree that he aimed to win respect for
his country among the nations of the
world. He faced new and perplexing
problems, great international questions
Of commercial and territorial expan-
sion, with consistency and courage,
with the evident purpose Of compelling
the respect and admiration Of the
civilized world for the strength and
the greatness of his country. Men may
not approve of his policy. No man
will dare to refuse the tribute of his
respect to the lofty aims and to the
patriotic purpose of William Mckinley
to serve the best interests Of his coun-
try. His life and his memory must be
wholesome incentive to noble Amer
lean boys for generations to come.
They will remember, as they study the
life, and learn the career of William
Mckinley, that faith in God is the
Slrest foundation for faith in man,
that Il firm reliance on divine prOvi
dence. inspires confidence that the des-
TIMES of men and nations are designed
by an infinite intelligence and ruled
by an omnipotent power. The human
heart will ever refuse to repose conf
dence and place trust in the man who
ignores his Creators right to rule and
govern him. The beautiful religious
character Of William Mckinley will
be the most precious legacy that his
country will treasure for generations
to come. God reigns, and the govern
mcnt at Washington still lives" were
the consoling words spoken by James
A. Garfield, to the excited and frcnzied
multitude in the city of New York
when Abraham Lincoln, the great ma
tional idol, was slain by the assassin's
bullet. God reigns, and the govern
mcnt at Washington still lives" we
repeat in this our hour of sorrow, as
our beloved chief ruler is being borne
to the tomb.
Belief in an overruling providence,
in the wisdom and mercy OF a right
eous God, is the only security human
ity can have that the fiendish impulse
of the frenzied fanatic, who is inspired
only by hate, who is incapable of gen.
crosby or love, may not impel the
weak or the wicked to tear down
what the strong and the noble have
bulded.
Within the memory Of all in middle
life, this republic has been called upon
to mourn the untimely death of three
of our chief magistrates, who have
fallen by the hand of the assassin
Lincoln fell victim to the excite
mcnt and frenzy, to the chagrin and
suffering felt by the sympathisers
with the misguided citizens in the
| slave holding states Of the union
Garfield fell Il. victim, twenty years
ago today, to the spoils system Of
politics. Lincoln could not be blamed
for the sufferings of the confederacy
| The South has learned to understand
that he was the best and trueSt frienC
of the South Garfield was not re
sponsible for the evils of the spOils
system. But the frcnZied men, wht
sent the fatal bullet to do its worl
! OF death, did not reason, from effec
to cause. Reason plays no part ii
| the movements of such misguided
! men. In the name of that monstrou.
infamy called anarchy, that recognizes
no purpose but destruction, that de
serves no recognition but that it bt
destroyed, Mckinley is stricken down
| in the very tiood-tide of national pros
l 4l.. emmy, az Iii, fo,,ao IL