New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1902-09-14
4 YEAR AGO, AND NOW.

1t is fitting to commemorate this mournful
anniversary. The character of Mckinley was
such that mIy regard it, through years
perspective, with satisfaction and with editica-
ton. The circumstances of his assassination
were so abominable thai may well regard
them. even when long past with our fullest
measure of detestatiOn and hatred The circum-
stances of his death were so pitifu and at the
same time serene. to afford a fitting theme
at all times for ennoblng contemplation. The
stored deathbed utterance of Addison. and in
deed those of all others save One. must
Weld place in the foremost rank for tranquil
and triumphant faith. to that of this much
maligned and bounded but UNNECESSARILY loved
and honored Christian statesman. AS a rule.
our national anniversaries natal rather than
mOrtuary, for the obvious reason that birth and
life are more joyous and more fitting for cele-
bration than are death and decay. But some
deaths by virtue of conditions and lessons sur
pass in thoughtful and even in popular interest
all other incidents connected with their sub
iects 1t is by their deaths that men remember
Leonidas, and Curtius. and Winkelreid Great
as are his other claims to grateful remem-
brance in the circumstances of his death as
much. perhaps as for any other reason McKin-
lev will he held IN cherished memory.
1t is we'll then that the nation shall solemnly
commemorate this solemn anniversary. But it
will be most profitable to give the day to
thoughts of ourselves instead of the latest OF
CIR murdered Presidents. Mckinley needs no
euloCy All that a grateful and sorrowing ma
ton could say said year ago 1t was
we'll said. 1t was worthily said. There was
not one word of high appreciation Of lofty
panegyric upon his character and services, of
sorrow and lamentation at the loss Of him. of
hatred of the crime that robbed US of him, or
. of stern Reproduction of the sordid and intemper-
! ate passions that provoked the crime that was
not then and is not now well deserved. FROM
| the pages of that record we need not wish to
! expunee a single line We need not be ashamed
of the fervent passions which then thrilled
] every heart No orator needs to revoke one
word then spoken. No writer needs to regret
one word then penned But all that year
ago. and in a year many things may happen
and MANY changes may occur. How has this
nation in this year lived up to the reSoundlng
sentiments expressed a year ago? How have
our deeds throughout Mckinley's land com
ported with words around Mckinley bier:
! In some respects well: in some not well. The
truth NAV be unfiattering and unweicome, but
! il is the truth The conservation OF 4 year ago
has not at all points been faithfully maintained.
The spirit of Incorporate and unscrupulous re
Wiling against the elect of the people has, we
may believe been held to some degree in check.
LamDoonings and half reasonable half muir
derous indictments have never since gone so far
as they had gone u year ago. For that fact we
may be devoutly thankful. and we may cherish
a hope that the reform in the direction of tenn
. peran@e and decency and respect will prove
lasting one In orr actual safeguarding Of the
Chief Magistrates life. however. recent occur
rences show too painfully well that we have far
relapsed into the old happy-golucky reckless
ness But gravest of al is what has been done
! with respect TO McKinley's policy. The wise
/ and statesmanlike ideals set forth in that
! memorable last speech of his appeared year
! ago 10 be invested with an almost sacred sig
| nffcance and obligatory force There was then
no whisper of dissent to their full realization
Yet within the year the cardinal and funda
mental doctrine of that speech instinct with the
demands of national honor and of national vel
fare has at sordid fractional behest been cast
aside condemned repudiated and reviled and
that BY the very Congress which listened with
fearful emotion TO the national eulogy upon
him. and by some Of the very men who through
Dartv feaIty and personal attachment were most
bound to honor his dying message How soon
are we foreotr' is not only the senile wanderers
exclamation in the play. IT might well be the
renroof of McTIinle shade TO many who pro-
fessed 10 love him and who to-day profess TO
lament him n is thus of itself. more than or
Mckinley that II hahooveS this nation TO thlnk
TODAY. How has If honnrnd him. not in words
and u-reaffs and memorial marbles but in prac-
fical works in the wear that has passed since
his death? How has it lived. and how Is 1t
living. M 10 the noble sentiments and eIaites
resolutions which il cOpiously eApressed
around his grave?