The Washington times., 1901-09-20
THE RULE OF AUTHORITY.
The Nation Itself Wounded in the
Attack on the Chief Magistrate.
At st. Patrick's Church Father Doia-
Urges ti:e Necessity of obedience
to Law-Dr. Stafford Recites "a
Special Prayer for the Occasion.

y
Urges ti:e Necessity of 0bedienc'
to Law-Dr. Stafford Recites :
Special Prayer for the Occasion
st. Patrick's Church has seldom. if ever
witnessed such a vast throng within it:
walls as that which attended the ser
vices held yesterday in memory of the
late President Mckinley. Its worshippers
were imbued with more genuine feeling
| Of sorrow and with a more reverent de
sire to offer prayers to the Almighty foI
the repose of the soul of the dead.
| The services were beautiful in their sim
plicity, in keeping with the character OF
the man in whose memory they were OBJ
served. The solemnity and impressive
ness of the ceremonies were heightened
by the beautiful rendition of a musical
programme consisting of numbers that
contained comfort and consolation to the
suffering and inspiration and divine as
| sistance tc the stricken and detected.
The services opened with Prof Gum
| prechts organ recital of Beethoven $
| Funeral March, While the majestic
| strains of this tonepiece resounded be-
meath the vaulted roof, the priests of the
| church slowly filed in from the sacristy
and, proceeding to their cathedral pews,
| knelt in silent prayer. The quartette.
consisting of Miss Mamie Grant, alto;
Mrs. Annie Grant Fugitt, soprano; Mel
! vile ID. Hensey, tenor; and Mr. Sheetz,
bass. sang Lead, Kindly Light" bring
ing tears to the eyes of many, as the
sympathetic strains of the hymn which
the President loved SO much were heard
This was followed by the Gregorian chant
Pace Domini,' after which Miss Mamie
Grant sang with sweet and impressive
alto voice, Barnard's THE Plains of
Peace"
Rev. Father Dolan followed with the
sermon of the day and his discourse was
a strong argument in favor of obedience
to the laws of the land, of the laws of
the church, and portrayal of the noces-
sity for giving to the authorities the re-
spect that is due to them. Father Dolan
said. in part:
Were we to investigate the history of
the human race in order to find out its
most ancient and praiseworthy character
istics, among the chiefest results of our
research we would find the custom of
honoring greatness, personal greatness
in sanctity in genius, in military prowess.
civic virtues and patriotism. This custom
is most ancient because We can find it in
the early morning of the worlds history;
most praisewortny because its basic line
is the appreciation of the good. the true.
and the beautiful In conformity with
this custom we are gathered here today
to honor a great and good man and to
offer a public testimonial of our sympa-
thy.
.'Viewing Mr.. Mckinley under a two
fold aspect, first Is the representative of
the supreme authority of the American
@ q npnylie'S
confidence; secondly, We look upon him
as great citizen and noble character.
Our memorial has then for its fundamen-
tai motive respect for Authority; that au-
thority which is the formal principle of
society: that authority essentially neces-
sary to society's organization; lastly. that
authority which makes national life
possibility.
SO thoroughly imbedded in the human
heart and mind is the idea OF authority
that an attack made upon it convuises the
against this authority vested in the per-
son of Mr. Mckinley, and great Chris
tian commonwealth was plunged into pro-
found grief. The nation itself was wound
ed and the social fabric was shaken. Our
second viewpoint concerns itself with Mr..
Mckinley as a public servant and as a
good citizen. Though millions OF honest
men may disagree with the political doe
trines held by the dead President and
may honestly critieise according to their
convictions the acts Of his Administra
ton, yet, viewing his period in office
calmly and coolly as We can, now that
the turmoil of political controversy is
hushed in the general grief, we come face |
10 face with the conclusion that it was |
Mr.. Mckinley's function to guide the ship |
of state through one of the most crucial |
points in its history, and we are at a loss |
% answer the query. Who of our public |
men could have better performed that !
iuty,. or who. indeed could have been his /
leer2'"
Father Dolan spoke of Mr.. Mckinley as
1 model citizen and husband. He said he /
was the idol of the American people. /
lesson taught by the death of President
Mckinley was that the people have an
notion of liberty which leads
% the diminution of respect for authority
rhe speaker said that the deed was the
,esult of irreligion. lawlessness, and free
iom of speech to those who are ignorant
md dangerous in their ideas and concep-
ions of law and order. Father Dolan
by saying that a good, solid |
is the best bulwark of good
and the stability of a good |
government.
Following the sermon the choir rem
iered Dayid's PIE Jesu," after which
he Rev. DR.. Stafford recited the follow
ng prayer for the authorities:
We pray Thee, Almighty and Eter-
al God, who. through Jesus Christ, hast
evealed Thy glory to all nations. to pre-
erve the work of Thy mercy; that Thy
hurch being spread through the whole
'orld, may continue, with unchanging
aith. in the confession of Thy name.
We pray Thee. who alone art good and
oily. to endow with heavenly knowledge.
incere zeal, and sanctity of life. our
hief Bishop, Leo XIII, the vicar of our
ord Jesus Christ. in the government of
is church, our own Bishop; all other
bishops, preiates, and pastors of the
hurch; and especially those who are ap-
dinted to exercise among us the func-
ons of the holy ministry, and conduct
ny people into the ways of salvation.
w |
ON, and justice. through whom authori-
Y is rightly administered, laws are en-
cted. and Judgment decreed, assist with
hy Holy Spirit of counsel and fortitude.
le President of these United States; that
is administration may be conducted in |
shteousness. and be eminently useful to
hy people, over whom he presides; by |
lcouraging due respect for virtue and re
TVS in justice and mercy; and by re-
raining vice and immortality. Let the |
sht OF Thy divine wisdom direct the de- |
berations of Congress and shine forth in |
j the proceedings and laws. framed for
ur rule and government, so that they
Iay tend to the preservation of peace, |
he promotion of rational happiness. the
crease of industry, sobriety, and useful !
and may perpetuate in us the |
essings of equal liberty.
I'VE pray for their eXcellencies the |
overnors OF the States. for the members |
the Assemblies for all judges, magis-
'ates, and other officers who are ap- |
ointed to guard our political welfare |
lat they may be enabled by their power |
II protection to discharge the duties of | ,
leir respective stations with honest and | ;
bility.
I'VE recommend likewise. to Thy un-
)unded mercy all our brethren and fell
w-citizens throughout the United States
lat they may be blessed !r the knowl-
ige and sanctified in the observance of
by most Holy Law; that they may be
reserved in union. and in that peace
l. r-.l. aat sytNs