Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1902-02-28
Secretary Hays Memorial Address.

Secretary Hays Memorial Address.
Just a score of years ago, James G.
Blaine. the beloved and brilliant head
of .Garfeld's cabinet, stood in the
Capitol at Washington and delivered
before both branches of Congress, and
at their invitation, his immortal
euIogy Of his fallen chief. Yesterday.
in the same place and before the same
hig.l bodies, John Hay, the beloved
and brilliant head of the Mckinley
cabinet. in words that will live paid
the tribute of the Nation to the mem
DRY of William Mckinley, struck
down, like Garfield, by the bastard
hand of an assassin. 1t was notable
occasion and the memorial address was
worthy of it. Secretary Hay is an
orator and a master of purest English;
more than that, he knew President Nc
Kinley as only true friends know each
other, ana the life and the worth of
the dead leader were in most APP
preciative hands.
In opening his address he dwelt upon
the foulness and uselessness of the
crime, and discussed in vigorous terms
the problem Of anarchy. Then he told
the story of William McKinley's life
from birth to death; his heritage from
his sturdy ancestors, the environment
of his youth, his enlistment as a
private at the age of II, his services in
battle, his promotions for bravery, his
studies when peace came, his qualities
as a lawyer. the beginning of his pub
lie career, his IA years in the House,
his services as governor of Ohio. his
work for the great cause of protection,
his nomination and election to the
presidency in 1896. the great and noble
achievements of his administration in
peace and war. Mr.. Hay showed how
the promises of the campaign were
kept and unprecedented prosperity at
tanned, a work which overshadowed
even the great triumphs in war and
Diplomacy.
Said the memorial orator: Il will not
waste your time by explaining that do
not invoke for any man the credit OF
this vast result. The captain can not
claim that 1t is he who drives the
mighty steamship over the tumbling
pillows of the trackless deep; but
praise is justly due him If he has made
the best of her tremendous powers. If
ne has read Alright the currents of the
sea and the lessons of the stars. And
we should be ungratefuI. if in this
hour of prodigious prosperity we should
fail to remember that William McKin-
ley with sublime faith foresaw it. with
iudomitable courage ,labOred for 1t, put
his whole neart and mind into the work
of bringing it about; that it was his
voice which. i'm dark hours. rang out.
heralding the coming light, as over
the twilight waters of the Nile the
mystic cry of Memnon announced the
dawn to Egypt, waking from sleep"
The speaker touched upon the visits
of the President to the South and West
and his wonderful hold upon the popu-
lar heart. He showed how quickly the
President put an end to the talk of
third term. He dwelt upon the signifi-
canoe of that last great speech at
Buffalo and of the attitude of the
President toward the problems of his
second administration. The closing
paragraphs of the Grafton are so full
of strength and beauty that we quote
them in full:
His years of apprenticeship had been
served. lie stood that day past master
of the art Of craftsmanship. He had
nothing more to ask of the people. He
owed them nothing butt truth and faith
FIJI service. His mind and heart were
purged of the temptations which beset
all men engaged in the struggle to sur
vive. In view of the revelation of his
nature vouchsafed to US that day. and
the fate which impended over him, We
can only say in deep affection and SOL
emn awe. Blessed are the pure in
heart. for they shall see Cod Even
for that vision he was not unworthy.
He had not long to wait The next
day sped the bolt of doom, and for
week after-in an agony of dread bro
ken by ill,lsive glimpses Of hope that our
prayers might be answered-the Ma
tion waited for the end. Nothing in
the glorious life that we saw gradually
waning was more admirable and
exemplary than it's close The gentle hu-
mainly Of his words. when he saw his
assailant in danger of summary ven
geance. Don't let them hurt him.
his chivalrous care that the, news
should be broken gently to his wife;