The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1902-02-22

supreme concern. Every Official act
was performed with zeal and with eff
iicicncy. The attentive care with
which his duties were performed not
only made him q most valued public
servant and excited the admiration OF
his associates, but rendered him an
athlete in the arena of political affairs.
When he WAS inductcd into the prcsi-
dency Of the republic, he was an ac-
| compliShcd statesman. He was learn
cd in the science of government. lie
| knew intimately the way in which
| legislation is conducted His knoWl-
edge of judicial proceedings was not
only that Of the lawyer but that Of
the trained ana experienced publicist.
All of the executive departments Of
the federal government were to him
Familiarity well known. Observation
of diplomats and association with
them during Il long period had placed
within his mental grasp the intricate
science of diplomacy. Experience
wide and varied and extending
| through many decades OF official life
rendered his equipment for the station
of chief executive deliberately COM
plete. No other man who ever held
that office has surpassed him in point
of equipment and none has discharged
its duties with greater efficiency, pre-
cision, tact ana discretion. Whatever
Judgment upon the policies of the adj
ministration Of which William McKin-
ley was the head history may yet rec
ord. the title of Mckinley to proud
cmincncc among wise ana capable adj
minisrntors of high official trusts Is
absolutely assured.
TO the executive Office he brought
personal characteristics which befit
the place and compel admiration. His
were a dignity without arrogance and
an urbanity without affcctation or
false pretcnce. He bore himself nobly
and none left his presence without
sense of regard for his humane and
gentle nature. AS president, he dealt
fairly ana literally with all men and
all interests; and, although he was
ordinarily q strong partisan he did
not hesitate to follow the dictates Of
him that the wcll-bcing of the public
service demanded the appointment Of
Il political opponent to some official
position Thus in the military service
he placed Fitzhugl Lee and Joseph %.
Wheeler In the diplomatic service
he appointed Oscar Strals; and to
membership in various administrative
commissions he designated many men
who did not profess his political be-
liefs.
| Among all the paradoxes Of history
none seems stranger than that this
patriotic citizen, this faithful public
servant, this WISE gentle and humane
man, admired and beloved throughout
ibis native land, should have fallen the
victim of an assassin. The dread
full deed Of the vicious wretch who
struck down the honored president
of free government excited universal
dctcstation. No blacker crime has
dcfaccd the record Of past centuries.
And yet, in the plea for the safety Of
that assassin, in the heroic calm with
which suffering was borne and death
confronted in the expression Of sub
lime Christian faith to which he gave
utterance, William Mckinley exhib-
tied a depth and grandeur Of character
whereof even his closest friends were
unaware and established his title to be
numbered among the noblest Of those
who have played prominent part in
controlling affairs Of government.