Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1901-09-26
THE SOUTH AND M'KINLEX.

1t is not remarkable that from newspa-
pers and citizens Of all classes in every
part OF the south there have come and are
still coming so many expressions of sor-
row at his death and OF profound appre-
citation OF his broad patriotism.
Out OF this feeling which pervades the
south has sprung the hearty appreciation
OF the movement to build a monument to
the lamented president in Atlanta.
In discussing this exhibition of affection
on the part OF the people of the south for
the late president the New Orleans Plea
yune says truly:
"It Is not a mere transient senti-
ment galvanized into existence by
the sad and sudden fate which
overcame him: but IL is the grief with
which friendship and affection accept the
loss OF beloved object. Joined to the
sense of indignation and outrage at the
atrocious crime by which this loss was in
fiicted.
IF IL is asked why the people Of the
south should have held in such regard a
chief magistrate who was a northern man
and the standard bearer OF a political par
" to which the people OF these states have
been constantly opposed, the answer is not
difficult. IL was because that northern
man loved the south. and used his high
once as much as he could TO heal it's
wounds and right the wrongs under which
its people had suffered.
1T was through political sectionalism
that the greatest wrongs and the heaviest
losses had been inflicted on the people of
these southern states. and il was under
McKinley's administration that the chasm
which had so long been open, like an i'm
passable gulf OF hate, between the north
and the south, was most nearly closed,
and it was through his special exertions
and desire that this noble work of justice
and Righteousness had been accomplish
ed"
President Mckinley in many OF his pub
lie addresses proclaimed his heartfelt de-
Sire that the people OF the south and those
OF the north should be reunited in heart
and patriotic purpose. as well as in name.
and it is not going too far to say that he
did more than any other man 10 accom-
plish this glorious result
At the peace jubilee in Atlanta in De-
cember. 1895. his speech at the capitol was
not the only occasion on which President
Mckinley spoke sentiments which SANK
deep into the hearts OF our people.
To a multitude gathered at Exposition
Park he uttered these. patriotic and elo-
quent words:
-Four years have gone since I last met
the people OF Georgia in public assembly.
Much has happened in the intervening
time. The nation has been at war, not
within its own shores, but with a foreign
power-a war waged. not for aggrandize-
ment, but for our oppressed neighbors for
freedom and amelioratiOn. 1t was short
but decisive. 1t gave new hOnors to
American arms. 1t has brought new
ton will tax the genius Of our people.
United we will meet and solve them with
honor to ourselves ard TO the lasting
benefit OF all concerned. The war brought
US together. its settlement will keep US
together. Reunited. Glorious realization!
1t expresses the thought Of my mind and
the lOng-deferred contamination Of my
hearts desire as 1 stand in this presence.
IL interprets the hearty demonstration
here Witnessed, and is the patriotic re-
frain OF all sections and of all lovers of
the republic.
''Reunited-One country again and one
country foreveri Proclaim il from the
press and pulpit; teach # in the schools;
write il across the skiesl The world sees
and feels it.; it cheers every heart North
and South. and brightens the life of every
American home. Let nothing ever strain
it again. At peace with all the world
and with one another, what can stand
in the pathway OF our progress and pros
perity?"
II the people OF the south did not love
and honor the memory of William Nc
Kinley they would be ungrateful. and they
have never been that nor have they ever
failed to respond to every tender of gen.
erosity, or to grasp every profound hand
OF friendship with a cordiality equal to
that in which it was extended.