The Yakima herald. [volume] (North Yakima, W.T. [Wash.]) 1889-1914, 1901-09-26

est problems ever presented 1Or solution,
problems involving the peace and hap
piness of the whole civilized world. In
to the great maelstrom of European and
Asiatic politics our nation was plunged
in the twinkling of an eye almost, not
from desire but from necessity. Well
was it for us that William Mckinley was
at the helm. Well was it for the peace
of the world. Impelled by crimes that
shocked civilization, the dogs of war
were straining in the leash and the
nations of Europe were preparing to
spring upon PROSTATE and helpless
China. Then it was that William Nc
kinley on behalf of this nation said,
"lIalt." With delicate tact and con-
summate diplomacy he pressed war back
and placed peace upon her throne and
lifted PROSTATE China to her feet. Chi
ma was preserved, peace secured to the
world and justice satisfied This was
the browning act in his national life, it
having been announced just before the
tocol relating to China had been signed
by the powers OF the world. Fitting
close to the statesmans life.
As said before, his Americanism
knew no section. lie took in the whole
country, and today, in the far off South
land, there is mourning in every home
for the man who had shown his love for
them in so many touching ways. And
looking upon his life from this stand
point, does it not seem that providence
raised him up to complete the work OF
the martyred Lincoln. Had Lincoln
lived it would have been the love of his
heart to allay the passions of war, abol-
ish sectional hate and make the south a
part of the union in spirit as well as in
name. In the providence of God it was
not to be. He could not have done it.
The time was not ripe. "The hour and
the man. came. One who had fought
in that bloody struggle was to take up
the mantle of the beloved Lincoln and
cement the nation into one, one and in
divisible Mckinley was the man.
With a love as great us Lincoln's, with
sympathy as broad and a charity as
deep and with the time and circum-
stances favorable, the work was easy
Time had softened the naughty spirit
and healed the terrible wounds. An
enemy in war, in peace Mckinley was
their best friend. He made them feel
it in his kindly way. He visited them
in their homes as well as in their section.
He spoke kindly, cheering helpful words
and impressed upon them his lovable
nature. War came. The call TO arms
rang through the land. The Southland
answered as one man. William
Mckinley commissioned their brav-
est sons in the armies of the union
Lincoln's work was done The union is
united and today we and grief know no
Northand, no Southland, but one united
nation bows at the bier of William Nc
Kinley.
lie was the highest type of the Amer
lean son, husband and soldier. | will
not dwell upon his character in these re-
spects. His duty to his mother; his de-
votion to his beloved and invalid wife,
and his bravery as Il soldier are known
and admired by every man, woman and
child in the country.
The more | contemplate McKinley's
wonderful life the more | am impressed
with its nearly perfect completeness.
As son or husband, as friend or patriot,
as soldier or statesman, how could he
have been better? In disposition, gen.
tleness, kindness, love and sympathy,
how could he be surpassed? Only one
thing was lacking, and that was given
us in his death Why he was taken
from us at the time and in the manner
we scarcely know. He taught us how
to live. Greatest OF all, he taught us
how to die. We would have had him
die differently. We would have had
him retire from his great office at the
end OF his term, loved and honored by
all, to the peaceiulness and happiness of
his quiet Canton home, surrounded by
the friends and neighbors OF lifetime,
to spend his remaining days caring for
his invalid wife and enjoying the hap
piness and repose of well-spent life
and we would have had the end differ
ent God knows best. Can we not
even see it now? Did we not again need
to be taught how a great and good man
can die? Will not his death be conso-
lation and an inspiration through the
ages? When the assassin's bullet struck,
| his first thought was of the sick wife
and for her safety How heroically and
uncomplainingly did he suffer Every
thing seemed to be going we'll. The ma
ton, stunned at the shot, became buoy
ant with hope. mckinley will recover
was on every lip. A day of national re-
| joicing was contemplated. civilian
Mckinley is dying" was borne by the
| lightning to every nook and corner of
the civilized world, and with numb
hearts we waited the end. As death
came nearer and nearer and we caught
glimpses of that faith that had upheld
him for years, he sounded the battle
hymn OF the Christians hope, and
'Nearer My God to Thee" thrilled the
christian world like bugle blast from
the throne OF God. The air has been
full OF it ever since-is full of it today
and like a ray of celestial light it illum-
ines our nations pathway toward eter-
nifty. As he felt the hand OF God reach
ing out across the dark river his loving
nature cried out Goodbye all, good
bye" The supreme moment had come.