The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1901-09-20
The Opera House and
Presbyterian Church
Crowded With
MOurnerS.
EulOeieS on the Tragic Death
of the Late President
Mckinley.

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| that we are shocked at crime which
too convincingly proves that society
exists in our midst which by its prin-
ciples would contradict the heaven
born laws of Sinai and render futile
he Saviour's injunction "Let all be
subject to the higher power for there
| is no power but that which comes from
God and he that resisteth the power
resisteth the ordinance of God. !"
What wonder that every citizen is
aroused2 Our laws are outraged, the
safe guard of our homes is trampled
under foot, peace and security are i'm
periled. We sought liberty of con-
science in new land we are here for
we would know no king. A constitu-
tion framed by free men is our only
sovereign for while we bow before the
altar of God, we bow not before the
thrones of licentious monarchs. This
liberty calls the oppressed from every
nation to our shores, guarantees the
right to serve God and our neighbor
according to the dictates of right rea-
son, but rejects that license which
prompts an insane society to disregard
the law to destroy its chief officers,
and forces us to ask in amazement are
we still pursued by European tyranny?
William Mckinley was chosen from
among the masses and not by reason
of birth or wealth; honesty and abil-
ity mark him as one fitted for the
most priceless gift in the hands of a
free people. That he was mark for
the anarchists weapon was due to his
regard for law and order. OF the
multitudes that mourn over the newly
made grave at Canton. nearly one-half
opposed the election of Mr. Mckinley
and his policies, still no sooner was he
inaugurated as CHIEF magistrate, no
sooner were his policies by his official
rank, made national than every one of
every political faith, cast their moral
influence as well as physical aid to his
support so that foreign nations have
stood amazed at the unity with which
American policies are supported, and
this recent crime of that wretch proves
to the world that though we differ in
beliefs and policies yet when blow is
aimed at our institutions we are one
when the law is insulted we are one
when grief comes to our nation we
are one when the commonweal, the
peace of our hearts and homes is
| threatened, we become brothers and
rise as one man in defense of a COM
| mon cause.
] Should we speak of his character as
a man I would remind you that never
did two more worthy individuals seek
suffrage of their fellow citizens than
the candidates of the leading parties
at the recent general elections. "Sift,
ed as wheat were they and scrutiniz-
ed as only political rancor would
prompt, yet the universal opinion held
them as highly mortal and creditable
representatives of an enlightened and
Christian people.
GAS a man lives so shall he die. 3"
The quiet consistency shown by the
wounded president during a week 6
suffering spoke blameless life.
" His courage at the approach of death
told of good deeds His forgiveness OF
the wretch who never suffered wrong
at his hand reminds us of Stephen, the
| first martyr, who prayed for those
that stoned him to death. His sub
mission to the inevitable tells us that
he considered himself but an instru-
ment in the hands of God to work out
his divine DEGREES. Thus bearing the
marks of a Christian he who had been
judge of the nation went forth to
meet his Eternal Judge. We who knew
we'll his public life must now leave
him to God and base our hopes upon
his works and the words of merciful
Saviour: ''By that measure with
which thou hast measured to others SO
shall it be measured to thee
From the character of honest Ameri-
can citizens I will not detract by allud-
! ing to his fidelity in his domestic re-
I lations. Before Gods altar he swore
in the most solemn way to cherish and
protect his chosen wife-"Till death
do us part. - To emphasize his fidelity
but brings into prominence too COM
mon lack of this virtue. Nevertheless
the heart of every wife goes out to the
chief mourner who has taken her last
look at the remains of her husband
which soon must mingle in the dust
and turns no longer to the presidential
home but to the most disconsolate
house in Canton which in youth and
vigor she once entered as bride.
By the ear of sympathy we hear her
hearts lone Cry and naught but a
Christ-like forebearance withholds the
malidiction we would heap on the as
sassins head
Goods will be done. - And through
! His providence from out this sorrow
I may rise blessings to the nation, The
universal sorrow of our people brings
US closer together, it makes of us bro
TIERS it wipes away differences and
in the face of anarchy gives US a
wholesome fear of the law.
In the shadow of death let us re-
member our mortality from which
position and power will not shield us
let us who meet as brothers to mourn
the loss of a common parent remain as
such during our whole lives; and lei
an earnest united prayer ascend to the
throne of "Our Father who art in
HEAVIER" that He may receive the soul
of our martyred president with words
OF commentator.
"Well done good and faithful serv-
ant enter thou into the joys of the
Lord -
Crossing the Bar" was beautifully
rendered by double quartette.
Hon. F. M. Currier.
Hon. F. M. Currier next followed
and spoke as follows: - - =
Mr.. Chairman, Ladies and Gentle
| mon Wo houo ootboroI boro tbic Of