St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1901-09-25

your mlndS, ana are part ~ the history
of the nation. Since the days of
Washington and of Lincoln there have
not risen so many new, important and
far.reaching questions, as have fallen to
his lot.
1t was my good fortune to observe
and meet him occasionally when these
momentuous questions were pressing for
consideration. He was most genial, cor
dial and approachable, frank and free in
his communications; at once telling you
whether the matter you desired was
open for consideration, and, if open,
what the circumstances and surround
ings were. He at once placed you at
ease and won your confidence. He i'm
pressed you with his fairness and lm-
Partially, and that his only desire was
to do what was right and best under the
circumstances; patient listener to all
one had to. offer and ready to state any
objections which occurred. l was often
impressed with the unbounded conf
dence, which he inspired in those who
were opposed to him politically. On sew
eral occasions when some important
matter, involving the comforting of deli
cate discretionary power, arose in the
senate, has leading democratic senator
arisen in his seat and moved to give it to
the President, remarking, ave are will
ling to trust him with it. He will not
abuse it nor make any improper use of
it." Seldom have l known a man in
whom all persons, of whatever political
faith or position, had so implicit and I'M
wavering faith. His life as a man,
husband, and a Christian, in every posi-
LONESOME of them the most exact
ing. delicate and dificult-was I'M
sullied, above suspicion, above re-
proach. The grasp of his hand
told of his sympathy and his hearty
frankness. | can we'll fancy that on the
sixth of September, wheD greeting and
welcoming the thronging crowd, as bis
eye caught the apparently dis abled right
hand Of the murderous assassin, he was
saying in his mind, Poor fellow" and
gave more hearty grasp to his left
hand. He reverenced and loved his
maker, and earnestly endeavored, at all
times and under all circumstances, to be
guided by His will. He was a selfmade
man, in the sense that he seized and dill
gently improved every opportunity. His
life and usefulness were the natural out
come OF the institutions and laws of this
land of the free and home of the brave"
May the lessons of this hour inspire the
youth of the land most earnestly to
strive to live such life of usefulness,
helpfulness and service for Others. We
may not mourn that he has gone to his
reward and received, as we believe, the
welcome from his Master, "Well done,
good and faithful servant" We may
mourn that he was needlessly cut off in
the prime of his manhood, when his ex,
perience, broad views, and understand
ing would have been most useful to this
nation and to the nations of the world
We can only supply the loss, if it inspires
the living and coming generations to
initiate his unsel6sh devotion to the best
interests of mankind.
This is the bright side of our institu'
tons, laws and civilization. If the
mans purpose is fixed in obedience to
the will of his Maker, by faithful, unre
hitting endeavor, he becomes "the mob
lest work of Cod, an honest, useful
broadminded, helpful man. But there is
also dark side. What shall we say O.
one, whose life has been ruled by the op
posite purpose and selfish will, his as
sassin? He, too, was born and reared
in this favored land. All it's opportuni
ties, it's privileges and blessings were
open to him. But their use was very
different. and he became very different
man. No sharper contrast can be con
ceived, than existed between the two or
the hateful afternoon of September sixth
William Mckinley is OVERLOOKING with
goodwill to all mankind, even, WI
believe, touched with sympathy for the
pretended in6rmity Uf the assassin:
murderous right hand. The ASSASSIN
withholds the murderous right hand
covered with handkerchief to concea
the weapon of death. meditating only
how he can accomplish the death of thu
kindest, noblest and most unselhsh o
men. He extends his left hand for thu
welcome, kindly grasp, and fires the fata
shots with his right, acts as hypocrlti
cal and satanic as the betrayal kiss o
Judas What scene and what a con
trast No pen can describe, no pencil
picture it. Well may we mourn thai
our free institutions, just laws anc
Christian civilization can be used by tn,
perverted will of man for the production
of such detestable character, and pray
God to prevent it in the future. 1t il
not more nor better opportunities, NOR
nor better education, that is needed. Tt
the assassins of the great, nobleheartet
Lincoln, of the scholarly, able, unsel6sl
Garfield, and of the many-sided, broad
minded, devoted, tactful Mckinley, al
the opportunities of the land were open
and all were fairly we'll educated. Nor
of the spirit of obedience, more of right
eousness, more reverence and love 70
our maker, more love for mankind ar
demanded. May the lessons of the hou
teach all to cultivate and be ruled b
these. Then will not William McKinle.
have suffered martyrs death in vain.
Gen. Grout followed with persona
"reminiscences of the late President, Civ
ing many interesting incidents Of his lii
in the House, all showing how splendid
lv the man was training himself for tn
highest Office in the land. He shove
how Mr.. McKiney's position on tn
tar if question was vindicated by futur
{ events in Congress and quoted fror
some of McKinley's speeches while in til
House. In closing he contrasted til
public life of the two statesmen, Rec
and Mckinley, and showed how muc
nearer the people Mr.. Mckinley was b
his temperament and nature than tn
Maine statesman.
Both speakers were given close after
ton and the service, which lasted onl
n, hour closed with the SINGING {