Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1901-10-31
The Closing incident.

er auburn, New IoiN - NN'tA"""'
Ohio, was reconciled tn furnishing
grave To the miserable assassin of
wondered at that the Buffalo crema-
ZION society refused To handle his re-
mains Still these objections how
ever natural were purely sentimental.
II makes little difference when the
spirit of a man has fled. where the
clay that once enclosed ii mingics again
with the elements. 1t is folly I" carry
our resentment against the living in
dividual to such an extent. that we
would wish To wrcak any vengeance
upon or offer scnseless indSnitics To
his inanmate dust. IL is either the
spirit Of superstition that prompts acts
of this character. or the desire L" play
upon the superstitions Of others. :"
FAR as the remains of tzolaosz are con
cerned it makes little difference what
might have been done with them-sn
long as they We're put quickly ana per
manently OUT Of sight. ANA not per
mitted to fan into the hands ri mu-
scum managers or relic hunters. Ii
is strange that Il morbid curiosity
should render precautions necessary:
but it is Il fact that must be rccl-
oned with. for comparatively few poo
pie are entirely free from H.
The course pursued by the prison
authorities az Auburn is certainly 1"
he commended. No possible rcproach
can attach tn that locality from the
fact that the assassin's dust will minglc
in its Soil--and ii is Wise. from every
point Of view. that the representative
ness OF some Of its citizens on the
matter was not humored The real
cZolgosz. the dastardly murderer of
one Of the nohlest popular leaders tn"
world has ever seen. has passed from
the Judgment Of men tn the judc-
mcnl II God. What remains at
tatntS u ms memory. mere
y because OF its earthly as
ISOLATION with him. 1t was best that
il should be disposed Of without regard
10 superstitious objections. We live in
a practical age. ana can afford to
meet the issues Of life and death in Il
practical way.
None Of us would wish the memory
Of tzolgosz Ia survive the exccration
OF the living; but this is due solely to
the deterrent influence Of such a sem
community who might otherwise b..
disposed To follow his example. w,
are dealing now with the rving-not
with the dead. Tt. assassin who's.
horrible ana cowardiy crime at Eutfalo
shocked th.. civilized world. has paid.
in fun measure. the supreme penalty
OF the Law. From first To lusr the on
Grafton Of the law was in the highest
degree crcditable 10 the great state Of
.>tN I"Ih ne Disgusting scenes ina
marked the trial Of Guiteau the assas-
sin Of President Ga.field-and which
We're due largely Ia judicial inrffi-
cheney and lack Of hrmneSs-wtra not
permitted to b. re-enaCted The nris-
oaer was carefully protected i'll All his
legal rights a speedy verdict was
II nd"r"d. prompt sentence inn
posed. dnd today--iess than two
months from the commission Of tn.
crime the whole incident has passed
into history.
The physical remains Of the assassin
are forever beyond the reach of men
1t is well that the public should ceas.
further /" Civ. him any thought.
Rather let lis turn from the closed
page of his unhappy life. to cherish the
memory Of William Mckinley-onc cc
the noblest types OF pur" ana upright
manhood Tho world has ever seen
who's. name and fame. forever secure
in the hearts ri thu people Of the
great country hr loved ana served
will grow stronger and brighter with
lie years.