The Washington times., 1901-09-14
The Nations Sorrow.


For the third time, practically within
the span of a single generation, the
people of the United States are called
upon to mourn the taking off of Pres
ident by assassination. William Nc
Kinley, soldier, lawyer, statesman
and political leader, lies cold in death,
stricken down in the prime of his life
by the bullet of murderer.
How can we account for this hideous
and inconceivable crime? Who in his
sober senses could believe that even
the widest and most depraved among
the foreign anarchists who to its sor-
row and dire cost have found asylum
in this country. could harbor designs
upon the life of such an amiable and
democratic public man? For the death
of Mr. Mckinley has changed neither
the policy nor the methods of the Gov
ernment, inasmuch as they will be die
tated by The Republican party organl-
zation under his successor, even as
they were under his Administration
Why should he, who in the last analy-
sis was but the agent of the party that
elected him, be singled out FOR polii-
admit of answer. The fact remains
that the President of a free republic
appears to be no safer from the bullet
or dagger of the anarchist assassin
than the most absolute autocrat On
earth
The people of the National Capital
win sadly miss the genial presence of
the man with whom through long years
Of his service in Congress they became
intimately acquainted, and whom, IS
President, they have learned to like AMI
respect all the more. The departed
statesman had the happy faculty of
making friends of all who came in con-
tact with him. The truth of this as
sertion will be attested by his most ex-
treme political opponents, numbers of
whom are now laying their tributes of
personal esteem on his bier. But testi-
monials from party foes, and the tears
and regrets of family and friends can
not wake the dead leader. He is lost to
the country forever, and has gone to
Join the little company of American
Presidential protc-martyrs who have
been foully murdered, one by half
crazed political fanatic, the second by
a degenerate lunatic, and now the lat
est BY member of that organization
which in every cline and country is
the unrelenting foe of society and of
civilization.
OF the career of the murdered Presi-
dent. il is almost unnecessary TO speak;
1t is so well known to readers of The
Times. All Americans are familiar
with the successive steps by which
the bright but modest young Ohio pri-
vate of volunteers attained TO ma
5ority in the civil war. as reward for
fought field. His later history is even
better known. The young law student,
after his admission to the bar in 1867,
soon. attracted attention as a rising
barrister, and in two years was hon
ored with an election to the post of
prosecuting attorney. Nine years later
he began his career in Congress, being
elected to that body in 1873, 1880, 1882.
1854, 1856. and 1855. Still later he was
give terms, and, finally, in 1896 he was
nominated as the Republican candidate
for President of the United States by
the Natiorsl Convention Of the party
at st. Louis. He was elected by
a large majority, ana was again
nominated and elected in 1900. OF
his second term, OF which II Is
known that he expected great things
in the way Of achievements which
should serve TO make his Admin
istration famous in the history Of
his times. he had served but two days
over six months when he received his
death wound at Buffalo. while smiling
ly greeting his citizens, all un-
conscious that he could be the object
Of evil designs or ill-will on the part of
anyone in the throng about him.
Mysterious and inscrutable are the
ways OF Providence. In the presence
of this latest national calamity, the
American people can only bow in si-
lence. ane do reverence TO all that re-
mains Of our slaughtered President
Admiral HowisOn's Relief.
Rear Admiral Howison must feel an
almost inexpressible sense of relief in