Fergus County argus. [volume] (Lewistown, Mont.) 1886-1946, 1901-09-18
OFFICIAL PAPER OF FERGUS COUNTY.
REJOICING TURNED TO MOURNING.

coNery OF tnelr DeloNcu president, but
alas, though they knew it not, the
angel of death was lowering near and
in a few hours the news was flashed
across land and sea that the very eta.
del of life was being assaulted by un.
exported complications and the g~ravest
fears were entertained rs 10 the result.
Eagerly a nation watched and waited
for the message of assurance that did
not come. Instead the clouds grew
darker, there was not one ray of sun
shine 10 give them a silver lining. The
worst was feared. Black Friday. the
blacklist in our nations history. passed
away and with it fickcred out the life
OF President Mckinley. one of the most
beloved of all our presidents, the ideal
in public and private station. The
president is dead was flashed across
the country and though several mes
sages were premature in their contents
and were quickly denied, hope had
fled, and there was left only the agony
of waiting the sad denouement.
The hopes and prayers of a nation
and the skill and genius of man were
unavailiug. President Mckinley had
received a fatal wound aud the laws of
nature, u~nrelenting and immutable, de-
manded his life. Nothing short of a
miracle could have saved his life. and
the age of miracles having passed, all
hope had vanished.
Yet, in our doubt, skepticism and
despair, we must harken to the last
words of this just, pure and noble man,
whose faith in an all wise Providence
had never been shaken, not even in the
hour of death: ut is Gods way: His
will be done" 1t will be hard for the
nation tie look at the matter SO philo-
sophically. The ways of God may be
past finding out, but to many it will be
difficult TO understand why this great
and good man should be stricken down
in the prime Of life, in the heighth of
fame, and when questions and policies
of great import, to which his heart
and mind were dedicated, We're await
ing solution and enforcement. Possibly
he would have made mistakes: it is hui
man to err. But a God who notes the
sparrow's fall could have aided him in
avoiding grevious ones. II any great
good was conserved by the tragic and
lamentable death of Abraham Lincoln
and James A.. Garfield it has never been
demonstrated to the satisfaction of the
American people. The formers death
did not hasten the reconciliation of the
south, nor the ~latter's untimely end al
lay party raneor or the strife for spoils.
Possibly the tragic death of wise and
good men may leave a more enduring
example before the world. but ever this
is doubtful. We have too exalted an
opinion of the great Ruler of the uni.
verse 10 believe that He ordained this
great calamity.
We must take the view that lie did
not decree il and that He was power.
less to prevent it, else the prayers and
hopes and applications of n nation
would have been answered. The laws
of nature are memorable and must be
obeyed.
However. this does not prevent us
from believing in a guiding hand in the
IaEttn.. ~ patfnpG Cod Y.,rIsE - "a
spiritual way, and as He has raised up
grand men in the past who have helped
to shape the destiny and future of the
world and free government. 81 lie
will again. The president is dead,
but the government at Washington still
lives said Garfield when Abraham
then that he would some day bc called
to the high office, and like his great
predecessor he stricken down by an as
sassin. But he was good and great and
talented. lie ripencd in craftsmanship
and was chosen for this great trust.
The nation is strong, healthy and Wig
OIOuS duu hulolS ntI SoHS are DtlHR
educated the future presidents. They
have a lofty and noble example in him
who has just passed away. If they en-
ulate his public and private virtues and
are equally gifted mentally the nation
is secure, for his was
"A face and form, indeed,
Wherein every god did seem to set his seal.
To give the world assurance of a man."
If anything could add to the sadness
which now enshrouds the nation it is
the apprehension felt for the invalid
wife OF the dead president. The light
of her life has gone out. 1t is only a
question as to how long she can survive
this terrible blow. BY day and by
night he was her staff and support. Al
ways n great care he found pleasure in
doing everything for her comfort. But
the strong arm n tender voice can be
felt and heard no more. Bravely she
has borne her great sorrow, yet with
the sublime faith. which she shared
with her husband, it is probable death
has no t%errors, and she is ready TO say
with the poet:
Let neath between US be as naught,
A dried and vanished stream:
Your Joy be the reality,