The evening times. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1895-1902, 1901-09-17
AIIIs Not Darkness.

The people of this mighty nation
would have rejoiced most profoundly
could President Mckinley have lived to
fill out his official term and end his
days in honored privacy. peacefully
and happily at a ripe old age. But
Providence decreed otherwise. and We
must bow in submission a few years
more or less are as nothing in the awful
span of eternity, or even in the life Of
a nation like ours. as we hope and pray
that it may be extended. 1t is consol-
ing TO know that he died in the fuIlness
Of a fame that is vouChsafed to but
few, and that he leaves his country
in a condition OF strength and pros
perity greater than it ever enjoyed be
fore
Although his soul was filled with
emotional tenderness, Mr.. Mckinley
was also intensely practical in his Off
ciaI life. He knew that people could
not live on sentiment alone, and his
thoughts naturally turned To the ways
and means Of making them more pros
porous, and consequently more happy.
There are wide differences Of opinion
as 10 the wisdom Of some Of the meas
ures he advocated, but there can be
no question as 10 the earnestness Of his
own faith in them, and his strong desire
10 promote the well-being Of his coun-
4 trymen. Moreover. his latest express
sious upon the subject Of our Industrial
and commercial policy were Of a char
acter To show that he was moving pro-
excessively forward and Bringing him
self into closer accord with many who
had differed from him throughout the
greater portion Of his life. 1t is almost
certain that his last extended speech
at Buffalo will hereafter be regarded as
his greatest. II gave him firmer hold
upon the affections Of his own country
men than ne ever had previously, while
il exalted him greatly in the estima-
tion Of foreign peoples
40 man had a clearer and stronger
appreciation than had Mr.. Mckinley
Of the position which the American Re
public had attained among the nations
Of the earth. and none saw more clearly
the glorious destiny, which, under
wise policy, lies before it Could he
have foreseen the tragic end so soon
70 come. he would have viewed its ap-
preach with calm and serene confidence
in the future Of his country and the
happiness which awaited its people.
/ There is not at this time a sDeck Of
trouble in sight anywhere in the broad
armament OF our national affairs. We
/ are at peace with all other countries,
and not only at peace, but upon terms
Of unusually warm friendship with
most Of them. War has practically
/ ceased in our own insulaT territories,
and the people living therein are griev-
ing over what seems to them, as II IS
to US. a national bereavement Indus
triaIly and financially the country is in
an exceptionally strong position, and
al this time there Is not the faintest
suggestion Of any disturbance to bust
ness as a result Of President McKinley's
untimeIy death.
This is a truly comforting thought.
for there can he no real national hap
piness without general and widespread
prosperity Those who are suffering
for the neccssaries Of life cannot be
! joyful. and no one more fully recog-
nized this truth than did the distin-
! euished statesman whose death we now
mourn. II is not well for US 70 look
| entirely at the gloomy side Of things.
Grieving as we do for our Hlustrious
dead. and fun Of Indignation and horror
at the manner in watch he was taken
from US. we still have much to be
thankful for. We may turn our faces
70 a future full OF promise and resume
the daily avocations Of our lives with
renewed faith In Him who dOeth all
things well"