The Somerset reporter., 1901-09-26

from our shores and that such laws
should be enforced with a stern and re-
! lentless hand and In the meantime
through education such principles in
this country should be checked.
We have the best government on the
earth. 1t is government which in the
words of Abraham Lincoln is of the
people, for the people and by the people
and as such it must not perish from the
earth.
s. W. Gould, Esq, spoke as follows:
When an upright life goes out in a
neighborhood the neighbors are wont to
gather around the clay that was once
part Of their living community, to pay
their tribute of respect to the memory of
the dead. That tribute Is measured by
the character and integrity, the useful
ness as a citizen and the moral and social
standing the deceased held among his
fellow men.
Today seventy-five millions of people
bow their heads In grief and sorrow over
the death Of one man. Why? Why Is
it that the people with one accord, for
sake their usual avocations and gather In
ten thousand places to unite in mourn
ing? Because his neighborhood and his
arc DOuuutu OHlH ny lnt
confines of the nation itself His char
acter and integrity, his public and private
life are known to every intelligent being
among the people of whom he was the
legal and acknowledged head.
William Mckinley had served four
years as president of the Republic
During that time the country had gone
through a terrible strain of war and
excitement, but peace had been restored
with Spain our army 10 Cuba had been
called home and the country had again
settled down to its normal condition,
when, by the law of the land, our people
on the tenth of last November, were
called upon to express their approval or
disapproval of the man. who for four
years had been under the public eye and
under public discussion.
You all know the result that one by
one as the clock in the chamber of the
Omnipotent licked off the hours of that
day, a majority of the voters of this
country, by their written ballots, de-
clared their approval and chose him
President for four years more. Presi-
dent. not of his party, but President of
the United States and it is one of the
! grandest commentaries upon our Re-
publican form of government that after
the result of that vote had been declared
the people all hailed him as Chief.
Mistakes he may have made, for he
was human; but they were mistakes OF
the head and not of the heart. If he
made mistakes they were prompted by
those noblest attributes of the human
character, generosity and kindness OF
heart. He was ever ready to forgive an
enemy and quick to forget wrong.
Enterprising, bold and untiring az a
leader, wise and prudent in the councils
of State. His last days were adding new
laurels to his already brilliant career.
, But it was in his private life that the
people loved him best, for in that light,
shown out to best advantage the noble
ness and best characteristics of the man.
! We are all familiar with the story OF
his financial trouble, caused by no fault of
his own, and how he brought forth the
savings of life time and laid them at
} the feet of his creditors. We remember
his love and care for an aged mother and
how he made happy the pathway of her
declining years.
We remember his tender devotion to
his invalid wife and how he nursed her
back to life and strength. These were
the purer, finer, nobler qualities of the
tllhDs IhObC WClC luC bldlGS VI IildI-
acter that endeared him to the hearts
of nation that now mourns his loss.
Almost as private citizen, he was en-
ioying to its fullest extent, the ap-
probation of grateful people, when he
was struck down by an assassin, struck
} down while extending friendly hand
to the misguided wretch who shot him.
| have no words at this time to express
my feelings for that cowardly and IN
cody act. have no language In which
to characterize class of beings who
exist in human form that can Justify the
commission Of such crime. But | do
believe that this free Republic is not a
fitting place for the abode OF such a
class. To my mind they are better fit
ted for kingdom, and that kingdom
the Great Beyond.
William Mckinley, | would not call
a martyr, for he died for no particular
cause. He died in the zenith of his life,
In the fuliness Of the hearts of his eoun-
trymen, and whether it be among the
green bills and valleys of the East or
where the MONDAY sun unlocks the
bearded sheaf In the West, or where the
cotton whtens beneath the stars in the
South, the whole people, as never before,
sincerely mourn his loss.
He said himself, 1t WAS Gods way, and
who shall say that the great ruler of the
universe did not give up that life as q
lesson to the living, for great lessons are
sometimes taught in bitter cups, and
sometimes written in the blood OF men.
However that may be, his life will al
ways stand out as an example and a
beacon light for the youth of our country
to emulate, and the world will be better
because VIM. Mckinley lived
Rev II. w. Kimball, said:
Mr.. Chairman, ladies and gentlemen:
A few moments after coming into the
hall this afternoon, was asked to say
few words at this service | had had
no thought of doing 80, but simply came
in join in the universal sorrow of our
nation. But perhaps as little prepare
ton is needed now as at any time, for
one must speak out of a full heart, and
every heart Is full of thought and of
grief today. There comes to mind
those words of Holland:
God give us men A time like this demands
Strong minds, great hearts, true faith and
ready hands,
Men, whom the lust of office does not kill;
, Men, whom the spoil of Office does not buy:
Men, who possess opinions and will;
Men, who have honor; men who will not lie
Such man was our martyred presi-
dent. In time of our nations need, in
time of peace and of war, in times when
new questions of state were pressing for
an answer, he was the man for the hour