The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1901-09-26
M'KINLEY'S MARTYRDOM.

Poem by Commander John Nc
| Comb. Read Before Members o.
William H. Davies Post, 1s9, G
A. R.
I At last nights meeting of William n
| Davies post. Grand Army of the Re-
public when the evening was Eiver
| over to the late President Mckinley
Commander John MCComb read to hi.
| comrades, who mourned their departed
one, feeling and inspiring poem
| which rccounted in beautiful verse tho
| noble characteristics of the departed
| ruler. and sadly and solemnly depicted
| the terrible incidents OF the cruel as
| sassnation.
The poem, with all its beauty and
force. follows:
M'KINLEY'S MARTYRDOM.
BY Colonel John McComb, command
er of William H. Davis Post, No
1SI, Dept. Pa, G.. A. r.
In the midst of peace and plenty,
contentment and good cheer;
surrounded by admiring friends,
Who felt a love sincere;
In amity with all the world,
Unconscious of foe.
The nations guest. our president,
Met death at Buffalo.
Twas on the day long heralded
Throughout this continent
That at the Pan American
TwOuld prove a great event!
And half a million visitors
Were there in glad array,
To testify their fealty.
And give their spirits play
They felt unbounded gratitude
To one SO wise and great.
Who rose to each emergency
In action or debate;
Who won the peoples confidence
BY showing that he knew
The proper way to do thing,
And when that thing to do,
they wished TO manifest TO him
a token of regard
For his sagacity and skill,
When cares We're pressing hard:
They wanted him to understand
That they were staunch and true.
And that his style of running things
Had their approval, too.
That kindly man, our favored son,
Was proud, no doubt. to know
That in this land, whereer he went,
The people acted 50.
And as the custom long had been
Each proffered hand to shake.
Twas natural for him to grant
Receptions for their sake.
But that reception proved his last,
Ihough JOY seemed in the air,
For IN the line an imp of hell
With stolid mien, was there.
His victim saw a covered fist,
And thought a wound he bore:
Then offered him left-hand clasp,
And fell to rise no more.
Two rapid pistol shots, point blank.
From meath that bandaged hand.
sent waves Of horror through the
world
And pardlyZed this land:
n numb sensation touched each heart
When that dread news was known.
Ana millions then began to pray
AS praying for their own.
All through the night-all through
each day.
tntl week was spent
the God of all was importunod
To spare our president.
bore his martyrdom
With resignation meek.
Ana realizing death was near
Was heard these words To sneak.
1T is Gods way Gods will be doneu'
Then: Goodbye all! FAREWELL
Ana soon the shade of peaceful sleep
Induced Il tranquil spell,
through which was heard in whisper
low,
But yet distinct and free.
A line that now is chanted Oft
Nearer, My God, to Thee"
lhat faith sublime, in one so great,
That trust so sweetly blest
Assuaged the grief throughout this |
land.
ANA Gained each troubled breast.
NO more we feel the numbng blow |
Ihat sense of woe and pain
'or now We see. NIcKinley's death
Has been the nations gain,
cor men have vowed his blood shall be
me means by which We'll rise
20 higher plane, as patriots.
And have more watchful eycs
pom the class who would DESTROY
Our cherished rules of life.
'y oVerthrowing all that's good
with pistol or with knife.
.areWell, Mckinley in the flesh,
your earthly work is done:
iut you will live throughout all tino
Like our great Washington,
our name with LinColn's will sur-
vivc
hrough ages yet unborn:
'no on the scroll of Fame will glow
In the eternal morn.