Evening journal., 1901-09-20


predecessor-his great prototype, Lin
coin, stricken like him by the assassin
at the threshold of his second term.
The South in the period OF r,construc-
ton. never ceased to lament the death
of Lincoln. The country never will
know what it has lost in the death Of
Mckinley.
"Lincoln's legend, like that of Wash
ington, has gone on growing, and ever
more growing, as generation of Amert-
cans have followed generation from
childhood to hear the wondrous tale.
$50 the legend Of Mckinley, heard
round the world today, consecrated by
his life and consecrated by his death,
will evermore grow and grow
washington, Lincoln, Mckinley, the
three greatest Presidents, the greatest
Americans. will forever stand as the
examplars of our national life.
Lincoln. Garfield, Mckinley, the
three martyr Presidents. Each killed
by the fatal pistol; each shedding his
hearts blood, and giving his life for
his country; each embalmed forever in
the love Of his countrymen.
''rhey take their places in the
worlds valhalla OF rulers. who, though
their lives were blessings and bene-
dictlons to their country, were never
theless slain by assassins.
with William the Silent, with
Henry the Fourth. with Alexander the
Second. who having freed the serfs,
was killed on the eve Of proclaiming a
representative Parliament for Russia.
They are Of the few, the immortal
names that were not born to die.
"Oh. the pity of it; for himself thus
cut down, torn from both love and
duty. from that wife, his tenderness
for whom has been both the lesson
and the marvel of the land; torn from
his friends. near and far, the friends
of youth and home, and now OF that
great legion whom no man can num-
Der: torn from his country by a blow
that strikes the quivering heart OF
every man and woman in 1.-THE blow,
at orderly government, at self govern
ment. at civic freedom itself.
In this hour of our agony,it is some
comfort 10 reflect that the force that
struck the blow was not Of American
origin While the assassin happened
TO be of American birth, the spirit that
instgated him had no place in our
American life.
In certain portions of Europe, a
thousand years Of repression, of op-
preston. Of poverty. Of the desolations
of warsand Of religious strife have re-
suited in a degenerate population from
among whom are desperate men who
would destroy all government and kill
all rulers. Hunted from their homes
we have hitherto given them asylum,
and permitted them unchecked TO
preach their doctrines in this land Of
free speech and free institutions.
Coming here to better their for
tunes, to escape oppression, to find a
living of comfort for every man who
would work; and free to take part
equally with all citizens in our civic
life and in the choice Of our ruler, IL
has taken this shocking deed to make
the country realize that It can no long
er rest secure in an unguarded license;
and that It must protect itself. We
are forced to understand that every
President OF the United States from the
moment Of his election takes his life
in his hand as much as does the soldier
on the firing line of battle
Great in life. he was equally great
in death. But the day before he had
challenged the attention not only Of
the country. but OF the world. and
reached the Hottest altitude OF states
manship when breaking silence as TO
the future for the first time since his
second term. he counselled a policy Of
moderation towards the nations
pressed as they have been by the force
Of our commercial competition.
He had come to see the economic
doctrines OF which he was the especial
champion, entrenched in power and
the nation in unexampled prosperity,
and at peace with all the world. Gov
erned by parties as we are, and by our
polity must be, political rancor abso-
lutely ceased. and even criticism had
almost ceased Standing before his
countrymen in that exposition hall,
amidst almost universal concord, with
the vista before him OF nearly four
years OF peaceful administration in
which to complete the tasks so aus
piciously begun, in the South, in the
North, at home and abroad and in the
islands Of the sea, what more had hui
man hope or human ambition TO ask
In that hour he is struck by the fell
assassin. and his work Is done.
Then 1t was that his character
shOne out in all it's consuhmate
beauty. His first thought was for
others, for that partner for whom
our hearts 90 out today, DO not tell
herr for the wretch before him
Do not hurt him. for the Exposition
I am sorry to interfere with IL.
Not one word for himself And al
the last dread moment no word Of re-
pining-but down the ages his words
will go:
go II is Gods way, His will be done
Goodbye all, goodbye.
Just as $50 o'clock the Rev. Nj
Briggs stepped forward and requests
the audience to stand in silent prayer
All thought Of the still body being lai
to its last resting place, probably a
j that moment and there enstled a 81