Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1902-02-27
Memorial Exercises in
Congress to Late Pres
ident Mckinley.
Large and Distinguished
Attendance, Including
Prince Henry.

Washington, Feb. 27.-Memorial
services in memory of the late Pres
ident Mckinley were held in the hall
of representatives today in the pres
ence of President Roosevelt. Prince
Henry, members of the cabinet, JUS
tices of the supreme court, army and
navy officers, members of congress
and foreign ambassadors.
Similar services in honor of presi-
dents who died III office have been OBJ
served four times prior to today, two
of these in commemoration, like to-
days, of chief magistrates who had
fallen by the hand of an assassin.
There was no procession today. no
cheers. the people preserving re-
spectful silence befitting the occasion.
Large and Distinguished Attendance.
When Speaker Henderson called the
house to order at noon every avail
able seat in the chamber was occu-
pied. After reading the journal the
doorkeeper announced the senate.
The members of the house arose as
the senators filed in and took the
seats assigned them. Then came
Gen. Miles, followed by the diplomatic
corps. then Prince Henry. dressed in
the uniform of a German admiral. the
members of the supreme court next
announced and then came the prcsi-
dent and cabinet.
Secretary Hay the Orator of the Day.
Senator FRYE called the assemblagc
to order and introduced John Hay,
orator of the day.
For the third time. said Secretary
Hay. the congress of the United
States is assembled to commence
rate the life and the death of preSi-
dent slain by the hand of an assassin.
The attention of the future historian
will he attracted to the features
which reappear with startling same
ness in all three of these unlawful
crimes; the useIessness, the utter lack
of consequence of the act; the OBJ
security. the insignificance of the
criminals: the blamelessness-s far
as in our sphere of existence the best
of men may be held blameless-of the
victim. Not one of our murdered
presidents had an enemy in the
world: they were all Of such preemt
nent purity of life that no preteN5
could be given for the attack of pas
sional crime; they were all men OF
democratic instincts. who could new
cr have offended the most Jealous adj
vocates of equality; they were u6
kindly and generous nature. to whom
wrong or injustice was impossible;
of moderate fortunes. whose slender
means nobody could envy. They were
men of austcre virtue, of tender
hearts. Of eminent ability. which they
Il d to. Z tes
good of the republic. If ever men
walked before God and man without
blame. it was these three rulers of our
people. The only temptation TO attack !
their lives offered was their gentle |
radiance-to eyes hating the light |
that was offence enough.
Stupid UseIessness OF the Infamy.
The stupid useIcssness of such an
infamy afTronts the common sense Of !
the world One can conceive how the |
death of n dictator may change the |
political conditions of an empire; |
how the extinction of a narrowing |
line of kings may bring in an alien |
dynasty. But in a well ordered re-
public like ours. the ruler may fall, |
but the state feels no tremur. Our |
beloved and revered leader is gone
but the natural process of our laws |
provides us a successor identical in |
purpose and ideals. uourishcd by the |
same teachings, inspired by the |
same principles, pledged by ten |
der affection as well as by |
high loyalty to- carry to CONF |
pletion the immense task commit |
ted To his hands. and to smite with |
iron severity every manifestation of
that hidcous crime which his mild |
predecessor. with his dying breath
forgave. The sayings of celestial |
wisdom have no date: the words that |
reach us, over two thousand years,
out of the darkest hour of gloom the |
world has ever known, are true to the |
life today. They know not what |
they do" The blow struck at our |
dear friend and ruler was AS deadly |
as blind hate could make If; but the |
blow struck at anarchy was deadlier
still
What world of insoluble problems |
such an event cXcitcs in the mind. |
Not merely I'm its personal. but in its |
public aspect IL presents a paradox |
not TO he cOmprchended., Under n |
system of government 50 free and 50
impartial that we recognize its exist
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