The evening times. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1895-1902, 1901-03-14
Circulation Statement.
A Great American Dend.

Ten days ago there was not = man of
his age in Amerfca-and he was only six
ty-niue-who 5. emed to have a better
chance of living 10 the age of old Kaiser
Wilhelm. 5ioltke. and Pope Leo XIII than
the hon. Benjamin Harrison. ex-Presi-
dent Of the United States. He was hearty
and vigorous. with plenty of vitality and
good blood due to pure living and his
devotion 10 field sports. Many a younger
man might well have been glad to trade
expectations with the old soldier and
statesman But expectations as they are
set down in the tables of the actuaries
are by no means a certainty. Against
death at any age there is no insurance.
We cannot know our end We can only
wait, each man for his own, with what
philosophy, or religious hope and resigna-
tion he may The young may die The
Old must die Beyond this knowledge
the Book of Death is sealed to eur finite
vision
When great man dies at a far ad-
vanced age, public regret is modified by
the thought that it had to be: if not to-
day, then in few days. or weeks. or
months at the most. But in the death of
General Harrison the country loses a dis
tinguished citizen and patriot who seemed
destined to ill many years Of usefulness,
and not impossibIy ID once more occapy
the highest Office in the gift OF the ma
ton His taking of is rendered all the
more lamentable, in that he was one Of
the very few acknowledged leaders Of the
Republican party. who still retained the
respect for law, justice, and the Constitu-
ton with which Abraham Lincoln and the
best Republicans of his time were imbued.
He would not stone the work of the Fa-
theirs, those prophets of liberty and free
institutions. and he would not hold the
clothes of those who did. For thls-for
his brave declaration that violation Of the
fundamental law of the Union. that Por-
to Rico might become the loot Of the
trusts, was "a departure from right prin-
ciples,' he was abused and ostracised by
the great majority Of his former political
colleagues and associates. All. or nearly
all. Of them now will Pay homage sincere
OF otherwise, at his tomb; but knowing
that the courageous attitude of the dead
American soldier, lawyer, and juriscon-
suit. in support of the Constitution
against their designs upon it, VIII be
gratefully remembered in history long
after their deeds have been forgotten, or
if recalled then recalled with condemna-
ton.
In accordance with a proper national
custom, flags on public buildings will be
displayed at half-mast for period of
thirty days. officers OF the army and
navy viii wear crepe on their swords.
and appropriate orders will be read at
parade at army posts and in garrisons,
and on shIpboard- With his usual grace
fuI courtesy President Mckinley, accom-
panied by Secretary CorteIyou, will at
tend the funeral which, it is understood,
Will occur IN Indianapolis on Sunday.
A good and staIwart American has been
taken from US at time when he and
such AS he were and are sadly needed to
lead opinion in the UNFOLDING Of the Con
stitution and in combating its enemies
ana the enemies Of all our popular Instf-
tutions. But it would be useless to ques-
ton the ways or the DEGREES Of an all
wise Providence
''Thy good knight Is dust,
And his good sword is rust
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