The Yakima herald. [volume] (North Yakima, W.T. [Wash.]) 1889-1914, 1901-09-26
THE MEMORIAL ADDRESS.
Congress sman Jones Eulogzes the Late Presi-
dent In Brilliant Language.

| lHul, III hon0r ot the late president,
Congressman W. l.. Jones made an adj
dress that sympathetcally appealed to
the heart of every patriotic American.
To give the address as wide circulation
as possible THE HERALD herewith repro
duces it in full
Fellow-countrymen and friends Il
certainly trust that you will pardon me
II, on this occasion, | depart from my
usual custom and use manuscript.
Words press for utterance that should
not be spoken; thoughts enter the mind
that should not be expressed and emo
tons arise that cannot be controlled and
! fear that | cannot trust myself other-
wise to address you on this occasion.
William Mckinley is dead For the
third time in less than halfa centurya be-
loved president Of this republic has fall
len before the assassin's bullet Again
the funeral dirge sweeps through the
land from one contine to the other Sor-
row and sadness are universal in all 10y
al hearts. Children's tears mingle with
the tears of grown men and women and
testify to the universal love for our dead
president
One of the most cherished memories
of my life will be that knew him per-
sonally. To know him was to love him.
His sweet, kindly disposition and hearty
sympathy entwined about your heart in
an everlasting embrace. He was my
friend. He was your friend. Ave,
he was the friend OF all of us. OF no
other man could it be more truthfully
said, "He loved his fellow-men," and
what greater eulogy could be uttered
than this. His love was Il sincere and
unselfish love. 1t was part of him; he
could not help it. He was always striv-
ing to elevate and uplift his people and
all humanity. His greatest wish was to
bring them happiness and give then
pleasure. No other president has trav-
eled among his people SO much. He de-
lighted to mingle with them, to take
them by the hand, to utter a word of
kindly greeting and good cheer and in
turn be greeted kindly by them. Most
OF all, he loved the plain people of the
country, those in the humber walks OF
life. | pom all occasions he was mind
ful OF them and their wants.
Could the humblest toiler in the land
realize how the great loving heart OF
William Mckinley throbbed in sympa-
thy with him and how that kindly nat
ure was ever anxious for his welfare,
such love and reverence would hallow
this day as would almost make it holy.
Acts speak louder than words, and de-
sire to give you two or three instances
that came under my observation or were
related to me by eyewitness.
When his trip was being arranged to
the Pacific coast last summer | had oc-
cason to consult with him regarding it
very frequently. Over and over again
did he urge that all arrangements be
made SO that he would see and be seen
by the greatest number OF people. He
said he did not desire receptions so much
mngle among all the people. 1t was
not from egotism, but he knew that the
plain people OF the land would like to
see him, not as William Mckinley, but
as president Of the United States, and
he desired to crafty their desires in
every way possible. One day was in
his office. 1t was nearly time for cabi-
net meeting. Cabinet officers were COM
ing in and he was quite busy. A plain
man with two little boys was ushered in
to shake his hand. The boys each took
out scrap OF paper and said they would
like to have his autograph. With a
smile he said: with pleasure but
would you not rather have it on one of
my cards?' OF course they would, and
he sat at his desk and wrote his auto
graph for each OF them while business
OF state waited. What happiness SEEM
ed to fill his soul as he watched the Joy
of those little ones as they left him with
that which today is more precious to
them than gold.
After he had reached San Francisco on
his western trip, you all know of the
terrible suffering OF his beloved wife.
One day, after having made the run be-
tween San Francisco and one of the near
by cities, on going to the depot, he pass
ed by the engine. The engineer,
greasy, smoke begrimed and dirty stood
at the throttle, watching him as he pass
ed. He stopped, took off his hat and
bowed, and taking beautiful boquet of
flowers that had been given him by
handed them to the engineer with a
J kindly smile. Upon another similar &C.
casion, in passing the engine, he saw
the engineer and noticed that he wore a
J grand army button. With a sweet smile
lighting his face, he turned and ran to
the engine and grasped the dirty hand
OF that engineer as If he had found a
J long absent friend.
.. lie had. oh, my friends, though
president OF this great republic, he was
one Of us. Though the mightiest ruler
in christendom, his greatest JOY was in
bringing happiness to the humblest of
his people. In loosing him we have not
lost the president, but you and | and all
OF us have lost loving, tender friend.
William Mckinley was an American.
He had unbounded faith in this great
republic. With him it was not an ex-
pertinent. 1t was the greatest republic,
yea, the greatest nation on earth. He
believed in the principles OF this repub-