The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1901-09-24
FREDERICKSBURG Va, TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER "a, 1901

and it will be the task Of the future his
toran 10 record his name and deeds in
the register of the immortals
Had the disposition or ability To de-
liyer,a highwrought eulogy or panegyr-
ic on the life and death Of our loved
President. should feel that this was not
the time or place for it, The occasion il
too mourniul the grief Of the people too
fresh, and the sense of their loss too pro.
found for any such performance How
well do the words Of the great English
poet express our feelings at this hour
"Our grief lies all within,
And these external manners Ot laments
Are merely shadows of the unseen grief
That swcls with siencciu the saddened
soul
While in the subdued temper and tones
which become the occasion ! would
speak of the virtues. life death and deeds
Of c.r late Chief Executive, | DO so not
so much 10 culogize the dead, as to in
spire and benefit the living. would put
before you a hasty and imperfect sketch
Of his stainless life and character that
there might be- kindled airesh on the nj
tars of our hearts the fires of patriotism,
aud that our young men especially might
be- inspired with high ambition TO imi-
tate his noble example and fill all the
stations in life. whether high or low,
private or public, with the same fidelity
and integrity which marked his whole
career. 4 noble lie like that of Maj Me
Kinl,y put fairly before the people acts
az stimulus and an inspiration to the
living. Ii shows what n man may be
and do when at his best 1t exhibits
what human life is capable OF being
made. 1t quickens our hopes and gives
us new strength. courage and faith-iaith
in ourselves and in Others. Whatever re-
latcs to such men az have made their
mark in the worlds history-their per
sonality. their habits. modes OF living,
their virtues and their deeds-is for us
full Of interest instruction and encourage
ment IL stimulates our aspirationsan and
incites MS to become co-partners with
them in noble deeds
In attempting to portray such life
and character d" ! can only do IA the
painter, 5ho is compelled to make hur-
ried sketch Of a wide landscape: he can
only present it in outline with few
touches which suggest lis salient points,
rather than depict them. There is no
time for filling in or for minute delinea-
ton. II he cannot produce a completed
picture, he must content himself with
cartoon
So in attempting to portray before you
the life and character OF man OF such
varied gifts, one who has filled with dis
tinction so many places of honor, trust,
power and responsibility, ! can only
tonch on some of the most salient points
in his wonderful career. 1t would be
profitable if we had the time to speak of
him somewhat at length, IA a son and
husband. citizen and soldier, lawyer
and legislator a governor ola great State.
Chief Executive of n great nation, and
last, but not least, as loyal subject OF
lions King-a Christian.
l. His private and domestic life was
stainless and beautiful Asa son he was
dutiful and obedient. His devotion to
his aged mother was the crOwning excel
lence in his character. No cares OF State
or honors of position, diminished his at
tention, or lessened his devotion to his
mother so long as she lived. Weare told,
when he lived in Canton, it was his habit
to accompany his aged mother to church
and see her back safely home. And when
he became governor OF Ohio and lived in
Columbus, he kept up the same habit by
leaving Columbus Sunday morning, go
ing 90 Canton for that purpose, and re.
turning home that evening. What
beautiful example of iilial loyalty and
devotion. And it is also said that when
he became President, so long as his
mother lived, he scarcely passed day
that he did not either write to her or
send her a message to let her know how
things were going with him.
=. AS we might expect, such an ideal
son made model husband Misconduct
and bearing toward his invalid wife,
through so many years, was praise
worthy beyond the power OF words to
express, and showed the nobility and
tenderness of his nature. His last con-
scious moments in the struggle with
death were spent in words of tenderness,
comfort and encouragement to his grief
stricken wife.
3. As a soldier he was brave, chivalrous
and faithful, whether in the camp or on
the field of battle Asayouth he entered
the army when the Civil war broke out