Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1901-09-24
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REV. LYNCH TALKS.

~ %A-'
done"
REV. LYNCH TALKS.
Impressive Services Held at Trinity
Episcopal Church.
The memorial services at Trinity
Episcopal church this morning were
both solemn and impressive. Owing
to the condition of the weather the
audience was slow in arriving, and not
as large number was in attendance
as was expected. although the church
was comfortably filled.
Promptly at 1920 o'clock, body of
about thirty-five city officials, headed
by Mayor Picker, and including al
dermen. policemen and firemen, filed
into the church to strains from the
pipe organ and took their seats in a
section near the front of the church,
which had been previously reserved
for them.
The choir rendered Professional
Hymn No. 406 Morning prayer was
repeated, special Psalter from the
burial Office, page 294 in the prayer
book was read, and an Old Testament
lesson given by the rector after which
an anthem was sung by the choir. and
New Testament lesson given, follow
ed by more music by the choir, and the
Apostles Greed and Prayers, when
Rev. j. Hollister Lynch, the rector,
gave short talk of the cause of the
assembling together, and introduced
Mayor Picker. who said:
We are assembled upon an occasion
of great national sorrow. For the
third time in our history President
of the United States, duly chosen by
the people, has been stricken by the
hand of an assassin. Throughout this
land and in all of it's cities, towns AMI
villages the citizens of the republic
are gathered with but one purpose in
their minds and with but one senti-
ment in their hearts. In such pres
ence there is far more than evidence
of profound sorrow. There is proof OF
the devotion of our people to the insti-
buttons of the republic and to the au-
thority which they have placed over
themselves. In the blow that struck
down the President whom the people
had chosen from among themselves
they recognize blow aimed at their
institutions and their homes and they
~ louety Slo"uihSs LooSILSl W ILiSli
churches, filled with sorrow but with
a determination to show their devo-
ton to their country.
On an occasion like this party diff
ferences. seem indeed small and with
out consequence and we cast them
aside or forget that they exist. The
sovereign will of the people has pro.
vided a means of choosing President
and a means of defeating or retiring
him. But notwithstanding this fact
we are compelled on this occasion TO
view both the revolving cruelty of
murder and the attempted destruction
of law. 1t is with difficulty that we
keep our self-command and assert the
dignity of great nation; great in sor-
row as in joy.
1t is not my purpose to comment at
great length upon the worthiness. of
the character of the great man whom
we mourn. The details of his life are
known to every American citizen and
command the admiration of all The
purity of his private life and his devo-
ton to it's duties will give lessons to
his countrymen as long as his memory
shall endure. 1t is this fact that to,
day adds to our sense of loss and in
creases the sorrow which marks these
gatherings throughout the country
1t is necessary, l believe, that there
should be difference Of opinion among
us in political matters. The minds OF
men are not SO formed that they are
able to think alike and come to the
same conclusion. 1t is utterly impos.
sible for many of our citizens to ac-
bo Il
leader they mourn but they willingly
accorded to him the admiration and
support due the representative of thi;;
great nation. No man ever strove
more diligently to wipe out the dis
tinction between the Presidents Of
fetal position and the people them.
selves than did William Mckinley
From first to last his position was one
of Cancellation toward his opponents
and familiarity toward his fellow cit
liens. The very occasion of his death
was one upon which he was exerc;s
| ing the right of private citizen to
mingle with his countrymen al great
public festival.
1t would be Indeed sad common
| tary upon republican institutions il
such a man chosen to such position
by his countrymen should be the vic
tim Of murderous plot formed by cit
liens of this country. But this is not
true. The blow that struck down the
President was aimed by an enemy to
mankind who claims no allegiance tc
any government and whose purpose
was destruction to life and law.
Amid our sorrow it is proper that
we pause and reflect our own duties
as citizens toward those whom we Sc
lect to public positions. We should
| reflect upon the great burden we i'm
pose upon them and should view thei1
acts with charity. Great as may be
| the differences between us we should
recall that the men whom we select
to fill the public stations are still our
fellow citizens and are entitled to fair
ness in our constructions of their acts
| We should remember that it is neither
manly nor patriotic to criticise anoth
er unfairly whetherhe beapublic serv
ant or a private individual A citizen
whom the majority of the people Sc
lect for a public station is entitled tc
the same fairness and has claim te
the same charity in the public estima
! ton as though he were in private life