The Mitchell capital. (Mitchell, Dakota [S.D.]) 1879-1918, 1901-09-27

an illustration of an ideal American
home. | would that an artist more
gifted than [ might have beep chosen
to sketch the outlines of that beautiful
picture, that a brush more skillful than
mine could have been employed to i'm
part to it the varied beauty of color it
deserves; for no feeble word Of mine can
adequately portray the SURPRISING
beauty of this rare instance of domestic
felicity.
To the immortal Mckinley "His
home (was) the spot of earth supremely
blessed, a dearer, sweeter spot than all
the rest" the place "Here he enioyed,
with her who shared his pleasures and
his heart sweet converse"
Sad indeed ls the condition of that
nation to whose citizens home is not the
most sacred spot on earth, "Home, !"
says another, constitutes the magic
circle within which the weary spirit
finds refuge; the sacred asylum to
which the careworn heart retreats to
find rest from the tolls and disquietude
OF life. Its very name touches every
hher OF the soul, and strikes every chord
OF the human heart with it's angelic
fingers. What tender associations are
linked with home! What pleasing
images and deep emotion it awakens!
Lit calls up the fondest memories of life,
and opens in our natures the purest,
deepest ard richest founts of consecrat-
ed thought and feeling. The affections
and loves of home constitute the poetry
OF human life. Home is the chief school
OF human virtue. When regard for
home ceases, virtue dies.''
The strength of a nation should be
measured not by the number of its citi-
zens, nor the greatness of it's institu-
tions, but by their loyalty and devotion
to their homes. Keep the fires of love
glowing brightly upon the hearthstones
OF the nation and it is secure whatever
enemy may invade its shores. William
Mckinley furnishes US striking illus
tration OF this fundamental truth, whose
iilustrious example ls worthy of emula-
tion in all the homes of our fair land.
His matchless devotion was first be.
slowed upon loving mother in that
humble home of his childhood, and was
afterwards lavished upon her 'swho
shared his joys and divided his sorrows"
in that unpretenticus hore at Canton,
and was no less conspicuous for its genu-
mess and constancy as he stood at the
zenith OF his fame, crowned with the
love OF an adoring nation, than it YVES in
those days OF comparative obscurity.
Unfortunately or otherwise, it may be q
question which, the companion of his
choice proved to be delicate and ten
der flower, whose extremely sensitive
nervous system has brought her grad
ually into q state of confirmed invalid
ism. Her frequent sufferings appealed
to the ympathetic nature of this great
man, and called forth his deepest affec-
tlons and tenderest solicitude for her
welfare, which moved him to do all in
his power to mitigate her sufferings
and to soothe her pain. 1t is
said of him that he frequently left cRbi-
net meetings and other official business
to sit by her bedside. So deep and
strong and unchanging was his love
that for years he has had q soothing in
huence over her possessed by nobody
else, and frequently when the attending
physicians could do nothing to quiet
her sensitive, throbbing nerves, he
holding her hand in his, anG in a few
minutes see her fall asleep like q
tired suffering child. So pure and deep
was their mutual love that their domes-
tic happiness is spoken of as "a constant
honeymoon" not the revolving exhibit
tions of weak and gushing sentiment
ality, but the tender caressing of q deep
strong and abiding love. A love which
made them both long for the time when
official duties could be laid aside and
they could return to private life to enjoy
it to its full, without the obtrusions OF
public gaze. Such was the beautiful
thought and tender yearning that pro-
jectea its halo into the path.
way OF approaching old age, and
sweetened their busy life in the service
of the country he 80 dearly loved, as
they iourneyed towards it. But, alas!
that coveted pleasure can never be
theirs on earth; for the cruel hand of
heartless anarchy has robbed them of its
JOY and that "quiet, PLEASANT home the
Eden of his soul" has been invaded by
death, and a bereaved wife and loving
nation sits bathed in tears in conse-
quence.
We delight 80 do homage to our
illustrious and honored dead; and while
the historians will weave garland of
imperishable flowers about his name In
recording the glorious triumphs of his
public career, the angels will preserve
the memory of the singular beauty and
afectiOaate devotion of his domestic
life, which falls as benediction upon
the homes OF q bereaved and weeping
nation.
Our President a Man of God,
"Our President Man OF God," was
the subject discussed by Professor E.
j. Quigiey, superintendent of the city
schools. The religious life led hv the