Evening star., 1902-02-27
William Mckinley.

So open was hts life so we'll understood
his character, so generally approved his
acts, that when William Mckfnley's ca
reer was cut short by an assassin's bullet
nearly half a year ago the American peo-
pie were found to be too thoroughly ac-
9uainted with him and his works to per-
NIT his eulogists to give them fresh In
formation. For years he had been cor
spicuous figure before the nation. twice
he had stood for the highest office, ana
twice elected. During those campaigns
Mckinley had been studied by the popu-
lace In every relation Not flaw had been
found. He was, In truth, the people s
ideal of the American statesman. citizen,
man and husband.
Under such circumstances. the task set for
Secretary Hay today in the pronouncement
Of the formal official memorial address
upon William Mckinley before the high
est representatives Of the people was a
difficult one. He could not tell much about
his subject previously unknown by his
hearers. He could throw little new light
upon his character. so intimately studied
at close range by intelligent millions. He
could only invest his theme with the spirit
Of personal acquaintance and sympathy,
with the interest attaching to a partner
ship of participation with Mckinley i'll the
last and the greatest acts of his life. The
orator could not have been more happily
chosen under such circumstances.
Mr.. Hays performance today Is OF the
highest order of merit. whether judged
from the point of view of elOquence Of ex-
preston, good taste in the selection OF
specific topics, and in references to delicate
questions or of directness Of attack upon
the vital issues raised by the assassination
OF third President of the United States.
This address will live as one Of the monu-
mental utteranceS In American history 1t
Is pregnant with meaning In every para
graph strong in its appeal to the country
to emulate the example set by the illus
trious dead plain in its warning that the
lesson taught by this death must he learned
and written into law, clear in its analysis
OF character and events. Living men
could desire no more splendid memorial
tribute after death
Attention centers upon two portions Of
the address. strikingly the first and the
last, the questions of anarchy and reci-
procity so fatally Joined at the end of Nc
Kinley's life. Secretary Hays words upon
the republics sad record Of assiuation
are straight to the point of showing the
need of a closer definition in the law of the
rights OF the Individual and a surer safe
guarding of the lives of the nations lead
ers. He shows that the murderous express
sion Of the anarchic belief is an abomina-
BILE anomaly here. In this land, where as
sassination cannot possibly change the
course of events. but can only weld more
closely the body polite In its democratic
form.
The speakers words upon reciprocity fell
NH icI, +oJa
to that subject. The occasion was strik-
irgly fitting, the subject presented with ad-
mirable tact. The dead Presidents words
still live. A specific case demanding the
immediate application of the principle
which Mckinley advocated with practically
his last breath awaits action today. The
call for this expression of the views which
the dead leader left as the peoples heritage
OF his ripest craftsmanship is the more In
sfstent because 1t comes from a newly
created nation, the result of American in
tervention and sacrifice, In the course of
which no man displayed more grandly the
qualities Of the highest Americanism than
did William Mckinley.
Glowing words Of praise and appreciation
vivid descriptions of deeds, shrewd analysis
Of motives cannot restore the dead to life.
But such utteranceS as those Of the Secre-
tary Of State today serve to perpetuate the
lessons which a noble life teaches, to raise
still higher the standard Of private and
public living, to render more keen the ap-
probation Of the whole people Of noble con-
duct under stress and strain and tempta-
t,on. The dead becomes an immortal force
for good under the vivifying touch Of such
truths. SO beautifully and forcefully ex-
pressed.