Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1901-09-19
EXECUTIVE PROCLAMATION.

L
The following beautiful tribute to
the martyred Mckinley, and procla-
nation for suitable memorial SER
vices throughout the state was prom
| ulgated from the executive office at,
| Madison on Saturday. the l4th.
| ct is my melancholy and painful duty to
| announce to the people OF Wisconsin that
| William Mckinney president Of the United
States. died at Buffalo, ~ y. this lith day of
| September. from injuries inflicted ~ an rs
sassn.
"The life of William Mckinley afforded its
| own best protection against murderous
thoughts II other than utterly depraved minds.
| BY il the highest ideals of citizenship were
| exemplfed and the most splendid possible
| tiles Of individual development and advance
Inent under free government were given dem
onstration. His loyalty to public interests, his
untiring zeal for the national welfare and rep
| utation, his great achievement for his country.
| his masterfu treatment of issues wholly new
| in the experiences Of American craftsmanship,
| his perfect balance and remarkable poise OF
character. his patriotic fidelity TO liberty in
| every form. were allied with blameless pri-
vate life and attractive personal malice. Even
| the assassin found his wretched excuse for
the crime through disayowal of any causes Of
| grievances against the man.
q" Enduring recognition Of the public ser
vices Of the late president will be conspicuous
throughout the history Of the generation in
which he lived. Ia war and in peace, in hum
bic station and in exalted rank-gifted with
statemanship of high order, modest, patient,
painstaking patriotic; alike through victory
and defeat, to death he maintained his trust
in the integrity and wisdom of the American
people and kept his faith in the justice of Al
mighty God.
The shock 20 human sensibiities is too great
and too recent to permit patient expression
by American citizens to contemplation of this
awful crime and its appalling results, For the
third time within the life Of this generation
the president Of the republic has fallen by as
sassination; Lincoln at the end of great civil
war; Garfield in the midst of bitter political
strife in each case preceded by conditions
which in some measure fred the heart and
mind of the misguided and depraved being
who struck the blow But today we are solemn
ly admonished of more insidous dangers and
called to new responsibilities President Nc
y,
will, the regard and affection of his country.
men bestowed upon him with n warmth and
unanimty unsurpassed since the days of
Washington in the very act of receiving man |
Hesitation of the enthusiastic devotion is |
murdered by the distnrdly instrument of I'M |
reasoning hostility to all government. which, |
through him. strikes at the most tolerant gov |
eminent on earth. Preserving all the rights of
free American citizens and n due regard for in |
diyidual liberty, without malice or sensational
declainatioun, but with welmatured and con |
sidcrate Judgment. the statesmanship of the |
country must meet the grave responsibility |
which his horrible crime lays upon it, and
meet it promptly and firmly. The patriotism
of the American people their devot ion to their |
government their love of law and order, will |
not permit this country TO be made the spawn
ing bed for political assassination.
The excelling foresight and knowledge of
the founders Of the American republic is made
most manifest in times like the present, when
the safeguards which they prepared are found |
adequate TO every emergency. The assassin
may shock the natiou. but lac cannot interrupt |
the proper functions Of government. 1t is II
cause for relief from apprehension that the in
policies of administration, widely experienced
In public affairs and strong in the confidence
aud esteem Of the American people.
In respect to the memory of the illustrious |
dead, recommend that al such hour as may |
be set apart for the funeral services. the peo
pie OF tho state assemble at their respective
houses of public worship, or other convenient
places to join in memorial ceremonies fitting
TO the mournful occasion and TO implore the
mercy Of God upon our afflicted nation,
81 further recommend that all public build |
ings in the state he suitably draped in mourn
ing As tokens Of respect lis hereby directed |
that the capitol he in mourning tor period of
thirty days, that the flag be displayed at half |
mast from the capitol dome untilthe day of the
funeral, and that all offices Of the various de-
partmeuts of state be closed on that day.
ROBERT NJ. LAFOLIETTE,
Governor
by the Governor:
WILLIAM II, FRoEHLlCH,
Secretary OF State