Evening journal., 1901-09-20
ALL THOUGHTS TURNED
TO CAETON'S OPEN GRAVE


What marvel Of man is this at the
mention of whose name multitudeI
weeps? Surely William Mckinley has
not lived nor died, but to make the
world better. He has left to it a.
leaven Of charity kindness and faith
that will endure long after all of his
name have been gathered to the dust.
OF all the sea OF faces In the Opera
House yesterday afternoon, there was
not one that did not wear n trace OF
sorrow. For some time before the cere-
monies began there was q marked alb
sence of the sounds peculiar TO q large
gathering If people talked at all, II
was in subdued whispers 1t seemed
as If everybody had enough to do to
keep down the Jumps that would arise
unhidden in threats and the tears that
would we'll up into the eyes at the
thought Of that open grave in Canton
When the band played the grand old
hymn, How Firm a Foundation" it
seemed that the great throng became
motionless. At the conclusion OF the
selection there was a slight stir that
seemed universal sigh. And then
General James II. Wilson formally be-
/
ing that Governor John HUM would
preside.
The Governor was visibly affected
His usually firm tones shook at the
mention of the Presidents name, and
his words were broken. The audience
somowed with him, and many a teaI
was openly wiped away. Strong mel
lwept, and were not ashamed of theii
grief, and women appeared regardless
Of Redeemed eyelids. One stalwart mar
dropped his face upon his hat and sob
bed unrestrainedly. II was the ont
touch of nature that made the whole
world al1in--its common sorrow fo
a great and good man laid low.
Had anyone gone to the Opera Hous
with the expectation of hearing grea
flights of oratory, they would hav
been disappointed. But still, was Their
not more elocuence in the falterinl
words and broken tones of those VIII
had known the President only to low
and revere him? Surely that uncon
trOllable emotion spoke more strOngl
than mere words could have done.
The ripple of applause that greete
some of the remarks Of the speaker
and the musical selections, fair
though it was, was sadly out of place
1t came like blow in the face, an
was the only thing to be regretted
Still, 1t was open approval of III
strong denunciation Of anarchy, and {
the patriotic utterances of the speal
ers.
One Of the most touching features
the service was the singing OF II
| HYMN ct cad Lyfnd1v fobf I,,r a.
Rev. Hubert W. Wells. AS the clea
exquisite tones rang out in the Pres
dents favorite hymn, it seemed as
benediction fell upon the audienc
There was scarcely a dry eye there.
OF People in all walks of life we
Id there-the rich, the poor, the honore
OF the unsung, the white, the black-a1
es all were welcome, because they hi
he been prompted by a desire to pay the
It's last tribute to the dead Presider
&c Viewed from the stage the audien
OF presented a sOmbre appearance. Near
af all the women wore black or viii
rs gowns. and the absence of vivid colo
tn ing was marked. The crepe and hal
draped auditorium made a fitting fran
= for the scene.
Deeply impressed as one was by Il
service in Wilmington, one is almo
appalled, by the number of sorrowir
! people who attended similar service
- throughout the length and breadth
the land. William Mckinley unite
IS the North, the South, the East and Il
le West The united country honore
him in life and bitterly mourns him
death. ELLEN ORR.