The Washington times., 1901-09-16
Circulation Statement.
The Nations Dend.

We are about to witness the last act
in a tragedy which has involved the
murder OF third American President
and plunged the nation in bitter grief.
This morning the funeral tain will
start from Buffalo. reaching the Capital
at $3.50 tonight. Then. in the East Room
of the White House in which the late
President has SO often greeted his fell
low citizens on social or official occa-
sions, his body win rest until tomorrow
morning. when it will be reverently es-
eerted TO the Capitol by details from the
Army, Navy, National Guard, and civic
bodies. AT the Capitol it will lie in
state on Tuesday, and funeral services
will be held in the Rotunda. Then the
remains of one Of the best loved among
American Presidents will be carried to
Canton TO rest by the side of his par
ents and children.
The last honors that can be paid to
William Mckinley will be dignified and
simple in character, as befits the deep
sorrow of the country. There will be
little of the pomp and pageantry that
accompany European monarch to
the tomb. The great affection and re-
spect in which the lamented Chief Mag
istrate was held will be remembered in
the hearts of the people, who need no
kingly pomp to remind them that they
have lost an illustrious citizen and
friend.
X In the midst of life we are in DEATH"
How little did the murdered President
imagine, when he left the White House
a few weeks ago to enjoy little need
ed and well earned repose in his mod
est Ohio home, that he should never
again look upon the historic walls and
the beautiful trees and flowers he loved
so well: and that his tortured body
would return without the soul that il
lGnined it, borne on the caisson of
gun carriage to repose for a last single
night in the house consecTated by his
laboTs and greatest achievements
In the language of his last words on
earth. Gods will be done. not oursi"
it is a sore affliction that has fallen
upon the Republic, but it must be
borne, and should be with the calm
and resigned fortitude that irradiated
his dying moments. 1t is very meet
that the first public act of President
Mckinley's successor should be the is
suance OF proclamation appointing
day of national prayer and mourning
for him who died in the service OF the
country. and was foully stricken down
in his prime for no reason other than
that he represented the power and maj
esty of its Constitution and laws.
In selecting Thursday, September 10,
for these universal services OF sorrow,
President Roosevelt has named a date,
itself of sombre memory to the Ameri-
can people, for it was on September 10,
1881, that another murdered Chief Mag
istrate Of this Union breathed his last
at Elberon. There is not the faiatest
doubt that Mr.. Roosevelt's call to pray |
er will meet with a unanimous response !
from the inhabitants of every State, |
Territory, and possession of the United |
States. If ever nation had cause for
mourning, surely this one has If ever
a nation had need of divine guidance in |
facing the terrible social problem
which the assassination of President |
Mckinley calls upon 1t TO face and 1
solve this one has. We are an affiict- |
ed. and. let it be hoped, a chastened |
people today, as. from the Atlantic to |
the Pacific, and from Canada to Mexi- |
CO. we, individually and collectively.
feel that in tears we are alone with our |
dead.