St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1901-09-25
MEMORIAL SERVICE.
Notable Addresses at Thursdays
Gatherings.


Gatherings.
The people of St. Johnsbury and those
attending the county fair very generally
responded to the call OF President Roose
welt and Gov. Stickuey to honor
the memory OF the dead President,
and the services last Thursday after
noon were most impressive and large
ly attended. The town authorities
had appointed special committee to
arrange for the service in Court House
square and the band stand, the soldiers
monument and the entrance to the Court
House were most appropriately decora-
ted. Promptly at 2 o'clock the st. Johns
bury Band escorted to the grounds Cham
berlin Post, G. A. R., Palestine Comman-
derry, Knights Templar, and delegations
from Co. D, Vermont National Guard,
Sherman Court and St. Johnsbury Court,
Catholic Order OF Foresters. Besides the
fraternal organizations there were at
least 1000 people who gathered for this
service. On the platform with the presid.
ing officer, Alexander Dunnett, we're ex-
Senator Ross, ex.Congressman Grout,
Rev. E. M. Chapman, Rev. FIR. ]. A.
Lynch, W. H. Gilmore, Adiutant General
OF the Vermont National Guard, and COL
Goodale, U. S. A., now on furlough
from service in the Philippines.
After music by the band, Senator
Dunnett read Gov. Stickney's procla-
nation. Prayer was then offered by
Rev. E. M. Chapman. Hon. Jonathan
Ross was the first speaker, and we give
his address in full. He spoke as follows:
Fellow Citizens:
At this hour, in the place of his late
residence, the remains OF William Mckin-
ley, chosen and beloved President of this
great and growing nation, are
being committed to their last resting
place. The cause of his death was so
needless, so criminally exceptional, that
it is fitting that we and all the citizens OF
this nation should pause for brief time
from their usual labors, and pay respect
to his memory. Thrice in less than two
score years the chosen and beloved Presi-
dent of the nation has been foully murder
ed by the bullet of an assassin All three
murders were unprovoked and without
cause, and emphatically so in the case of
President Mckinley. He was OF the
people, for the people, and with the
people, laboring most earnestly to relieve
them from their burdens, to give them
enjoyable homes and happy lives, from
his early youth to his dying hour.
He was of Scottish descent, born of
parents in humble circumstances in 1S43,
when the halls of Congress, when every
church, every schoolhouse and every
home was vocal with the discussion ofthe
question OF slavery. His sympathies were
early aroused and took sides with the un-
fortunate slave. Earnestly and devotedlv
he entered upon training, developing and
bringing under control all his powers of
body, mind and spirit, that he might
become a useful member of the commun.
ity. He was broken off in the pursuit of
a college education by the financial
embarrassment of his father, and at the
early age otis entered the service of his
country in the civil war. In that exact
ing service he continued for four years
with exhibitions of bravery, devotion
and unselfshncss. Then he devoted two
years to earnest study, preparing to prac-
tice his chosen profession. The ten follow
ing years he spent in the practice OF law,
honorably and ably, school than which
there's none better in which to train ones
power OF mind none better in which to
become acquainted with the burdens,
foibles and rights of mankind; none
better in which to learn how to
meet, associate with, influence and
control all classes under all conditions Of
life. So ably, faithfully and we'll did he
conduct himself therein, that he won the
confidence and respect Of the community
and was chosen to represent them in
Congress.
He was in Congress IA years, through
seven consecutive elections. Another
who was with him many of those years
will speak to you concerning the charac
ter and quality of the service he rendered
1t was most able and efficient, and es
pecialy devoted to framing such laws
that the farmers and producers might
receive better prices for their products
and the laboriug man more money fol-
fewer hours of toll. Then his state de
manded his services as governor. In al
positions he was faithful, eminent ant
distinguished. This led to his nomina
ton and election as President of the ma
ton. This is not the time nor the occa
sion, in which to speak of the heavy
burdens, delicate and difficult duties
which fell upon him as President; of th
hi,1 Il,
Congress againt his desire; of the con
summate skill and efficiency with which
it was conducted; of the treaty con
cluded at its close; of the acquisition o
Hawaii Porto Rico and the Philippine
Islands, Of the difficulties in China, O
the new and important questions there
by raised; of the courage, ability ant
skill with which he handled and disposed
of them and many other important ant
difficult matters. They are all fresh il