The Worcester spy. [volume] (Worcester, Mass.) 1898-1904, 1901-10-05

McKinley-the men whom the Republic
can party of Massachusetts delighted
to honor when they were alive-the
whole people delight to honor now they
are dead
IT have found not only the best evil
dence of the sterling and noble quail
ity of William Mckinley, but also of
the sterling and noble quality of Amer
lean manhood, when l have heard and
read the generous tributes which have
come to him from his political oppo-
nents. And 1 am glad to know, as
every man must be glad to know now,
that this general tribute of love and
honor is not the product of emotion
caused by a tragic death, or an out
burst of popular sorrow.
william Mckinley, before he died,
had conquered almost every American
heart, North and South, East and West.
Men who differed from him most wide
ly on the most exciting questions of the
hour, surrendered, if they only knew
him, to the duty and sincerity and low
ing kindness OF his sweet and gracious
character.
My colleague, Mr.. Mccall, who had
differed with him earnestly, as did, on
the most important single measure of
his administration, said of him that
''he was one of Gods finest gentlemen;
one who in every part of his being was
as sweet and gentle as a child" That
was said since the death of the Presi-
dent. But it was only the public repe-
tition of what Mr.. Mccall had said in
substance many times before.
In the early summer, 1 sat by the
side of an eminent Democrat, holding
high office, of large influence in the
public life of the country, earnest and
jealous in his dislike of every political
principle and measure of Mr.. Mckinley.
We sat close together in a window
seat, where the air of a June evening
came into the close and heated room,
as the gentle influence of the character
of him of whom we were speaking used
to penetrate and soften the hearts of
angry craftsmanship. He poured out his
heart to me in a warm and affeotionate
declaration of regard for him. He
spoke of his sincerity. his simplicity,
his frankness, his modesty his never
failing kindness and courtesy, and his
wonderful power as a leader of men.
What my friend said to me then,
without a thought that it would ever
be repeated, is but an example of many
statements which 1 could cite, made
before the death of our President, by
my Democrat associates in public life.
All, gentlemen, the nature of William
Mckinley was that nature touch of
which makes the whole world kin!
"One of the foremost scholars of the
country, the head of a great university.
unsurpassed by any man within our
borders in his achievements for science
in the past, unequalled by any man in
his great promise for the future, told
us at Worcester of the wonderful love
felt for tho President nv all sorts and
conditions of men. He said: There
are sobs and tears from the hearts of
thousands who never met our fallen
Captain. Women loved him. All wives
and sweethearts loved him, because
even from the high and pressing bust
ness Of state, he found time for this
tender and ohivalric manifestation to
his frail helpmeet which every woman's
heart hungers for in the man of her
choice. No wonder many women would
have died to save him. All religious