Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1902-01-10
Mckinley Day.

found a recommendation by Governor
Hill, that January 18th. the birthday
Of the late William Mckinley. be OBJ.
served as Mckinley day"
The purpose is not to make the day
a holiday. but to have especially in the
public schools some exercises commem-
orative of the life and public services
of William Mckinley.
Never in the history of the Republic
has it had at the head Of its govern
ment. a truer Christian gentleman, or
Il finer type. of the upright. progress
sire, patriotic American citizen.
Surely any intelligent teacher. who
gives the life of this great man. even
the most casual study will have no
difficulty, in deriving therefrom prac-
teal lessons that will be as valuable,
as stimulating and as lasting in their
impressions upon the young as any
that could possibly be found in the pro-
scribed text books
We agree fully with the suggestion
of Governor Hill that it would be well
on this day 10 permit the children in
the schools to contribute any sum they
may wish to-. be it ever so small, to-
wards the fund which is being raised
for the erection of IA suitable monument
over the remains Of the late President
nf nj in,
This work will be historic. I, win re-
suit IN a material tribute which, in the
commemorative land marks in ou,
country. as the Washington monu-
ment Is at the national capital. 1t will
be an education now, and a source of
pride later on, to the children of the
present day TO he identified In ever so
modest a manner, in a great work of
such national scope and world wide in
terest
We are aware that there is Il ten
dency to work the public schools for
various enterprises, ard We agree that.
in the main, it should not b.. encour-
aged. The memorial to William Nc
Kinley. however, may properly be made
that the teachers of Maine without ex-
ception should give their pupils an OPP
portunity to identify themselves with
this great work. and that parents will
be- only too glad to cooperate IN 50
worthy a cause. But this work should
not stop at the schools. Mr.. McKin
ley was a Christian gentleman. He
stood for all that was truest and best
In American citizenship. The churches
Of this country will therefore honor
themselves in helping honor his men,
Dry.
Our martyr President was also prom
inent in various secret orders. We be-
lieve that every Masonic body in
Maine. every knights OF Pythias lodge.
every Grand Army Postal the orders
themselves to some extent with this
great memorial monument. 1t is not
necessary that the sum should be large.
The spirit shown will be the important
thing. BY all means let the secret or
ders-especially those great fraternities
Of which the late President was an
honored and worthy member identify
themselves in some measure. with this
great movement to give adequate eX-
preston to the love and affection in
which the American people cherish the
record of his great life. with its unset
fish devotion to duty. its noble achieve
mcnts. and most OF all it's stimulating
and uplifting influences, whose work OF
good In this great country of ours, no
man can measure.
Let Mckinley day" be observed by
all, and let every man. woman and
child In Maine who is able to do So
contribute some amount to this great
memorial work.
The friends of the great country have
already received such responses to
their calls on the people as assures the
success of their great undertaking. II
should be a matter of pride with our
people that Maine shall bear her full
proportionate share. in the work. anc
that the fund which is forwarded from
this State. shall be, in the broades,
possible sense. an expression of all on.
people.