The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1901-09-07
An CRIME.

a cowardly assassin. 1t is a terrible s;tua-
ton for Americans to contemplate, and all
the more humiliating because it occurs for
the third time within a generation. Lin
coin. Garfield. Mckinley! We may we'll
ask. what are we coming to? 1t is hard
to say whether the situation is most shock
ing in it's personal or in its public and
national aspect. Personally, Mckinley
was one OF the most admirable and lovable
men that has ever filled the presidential
office. Perhaps we have had greater
Presidents, though not more than two or
three since the foundation of the govern
ment. Mckinley came fourth after Wash
ington. Lincoln and Grant. We have had
more autocratio Presidents, like Andrew
Jackson. for instance. We have had Presi-
dents who were more yielding in their poll
cies and more self-seeking in their meth
DDS. but we have never had a more low
able President, one Of a more amiable and
philanthropic character than Mr.. McKin-
ley. He is a typical American citizen.
and represents the best elements of
common people he was always close to
them and had their confidence and sympa-
thy. Even his political opponents had per-
feet confidence in the purity and patriotism
of his motives. Born and brought UP in
Ohio he never had a touch of "big head"
and the friends and neighbors of his youth
and early manhood were those of his ma
ture years. The William Mckinley of early
times was the William Mckinley of the
White House. He was never happier, new
err more himself than when he got back
among old and early friends at Canton and
vicinity. where he knew everybody and
everybody knew him. His various and re-
sponsible duties as the political head of a
world power did not cause him to forget
the plain people who knew and honored
neighbor, consistent Christian and great
leader should become the victim of an
assassin's bullet is pitiful beyond express
sion.
But, great as is the personal outrage and
calamity, it is overshadowed by the un-
speakable disgrace brought upon the Ma
ton. The assassination of the President of
the United States puts a stigma on the
American name of which every citizen
must bear his part. 1t was hard to bear in
Abraham Lincoln's time, it was harder
when Garfield was struck down; it is hard
er still when for a third time we are
brought face to face with the possibility
that our free institutions and laws may
perhaps harbor and nurse enemies to es-
tablished government and representatives
of government as deadly as those who nest
and breed in Europe. Even if it should
prove that the assassin of President Nc
Kinley was a lunatic. the question will still
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crazy act and what gave direction to his
murderous bullet? If he had simply a
homicidal mania, why did he attempt to
kill a President of the United States and
one of the most gentle. lovable and phi
lanthropic men that ever held the office?
The answer to this question places a fearful
responsibility on those who attempt to ar
ray class against class and to excite per-
sonal hatred of the constituted powers of
government.
1t is worthy of note that the President
was in Buffalo on a mission of peace. The
Pan-American Exposition is intended to
represent the victories of peace. not OF war.
President McKinley's speeches during 1898
and 1899 breathed of war. They were full
of martial spirit because the honor OF the
Nation required them TO be so. The Pres
ident has shown that when a fight is on he
is a fighter. His speeches of last year
dealt with constitution. His mission to
Buffalo was in the interest OF wider trade
and international He was
stricken down while In the very act OF
working for the fatherhood OF God and the
brotherhood OF man. The crime is a dis
grace TO humanity. and even the possible
insanity of the assassin cannot divest Il OF
its horrible quality.
HIS LAST PUBL WORDS.
Our earnest prayer Is that God will
oracioueIv NOuChSafa prOSnerffv horrfco-.