Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1901-09-26

And then came the war with Spain
and they saw him grandly rise TO meet
new problems and unexpected difficult
ties. They saw him use diplomacy
until every measure had been eX-
hausted They heard the country and
Congress clamor for war but saw the
great commander holding them in
check until the country was in meas
IRE ready and then he spoke the word
that not only liberated Cuba, and the
Philippines, but drove that last and
most cruel oporessor of human liberty
from our Western Hemisphere forever.
The result of the war brought new
burdens and grave responsibilities to
the nation, but he did not shirk.
He held the fiery Cubans with a
firm hand, insisting that their consti-
tuition should be fair to us and just to
themselves.
He asked for troops to restore order
in the Philippines realizing that his
motives would be misjudged both at
home and abroad He was charged
with being an imperialist and trying
To override the Constitution and over
throw the Republic But with that
sublime confidence in the American
people which never forsook him, he
kept the course and what was the re-
suit?
Order in the Philippines has been re-
stored. The last volunteer soldier
discharged upon the first of last July,
and before that time President Nc
kinley had said in an interview. that
he would not be a candidate for an
other term. His ambition was to
serve out his present term and then
retire TO private life to a home among
his old friends and neighbors and
there with his wife spend his remain
ing years. And the people believed
his statement and loved HIM all the
more.
One of the browning feats of his
great genius, was his action in China.
In the city of Pekin murderous mob
had surrounded the legation buildings
thirsting for the blood of the ministers
of all Christian nations. A few days
away were the armies of allied Europe
and America But mutual jealousies
and chickering's so common with the
nations of Europe prevented a forward
movement.
President Mckinley saw the situa-
ton and sent instructions TO the Amer
lean commander to within three days
begin his march to Pekin. The order
was obeyed. The European troops al
SO took up the march The walls of
Pekin were taken by storm and the
lives of the imprisoned people were
saved
President Mckinley believed that
despite their local jealousies, the Euro
pean governments would never let
that little American band go alone.
and the result showed that he was
right
How they marched, fought. and saw
ed the lives of those imprisoned, fam
ishing people is a matter of history.
In private life Mckinley was as pure
and loving as in public life he was
wise and great.
Bereft by disease of two little daugh-
tiers who had come TO bless and glad
den his home, he gave all the love Of
his great heart TO his invalid wife.
I
as il was constant His first concern
after being shot was for her. His last
words before sinking into unconscious
ness was TO her.
He possessed sweet disposition
and revenge or hate had no place in
his heart. He was tolerant of the
views and opinions of others, and could
contend without angering, and permit
an opponent to disagree with him. and
yet respect his views and honesty.
Because of all this every American
heart is sad, aud every eye sufl'used
with tears.
Because Of this. political and sec
tional lines have vanished. The voice
Of party is hashed and the strife Of
factions forgotten. To-day there is no
North. South, East or West. No Re
publicans. No Democrats. A great
nation flooded with sorrow mighty
people bowed in grief.
Much has beeu said and written and
more will he about the foul tiend who
shot him down. the school Of murder
to which he belongs, and a well nigh
universal demand for the passage Of
stringent laws to suppress anarchy and
rid the land of its devotees.
Congress will be asked to pass laws
of this kind and every state legislature
will follow suit But my friends. this
will not accomplish the object sought.
Stern justice demands the life Of the
covering wretch who even now is
trembling in his dungeon cell awaiting
his doom, but there are others, before
Gods law. equally guilty with him.
Nor DO mean the Goldmans and the
Mosts.
mean the editors Of the Yellow
Press (and it does not belong to one
party) winch teaches the doctrineof hate
and discomfort and with vile cartoons.
inflammatory editorials, and sensa-
tional headlines, arouse class prejudice