The bee., 1902-03-06

HIS LAST SPEECH.
In that moodrof high hope. Of generous
expectation, he went to Buffalo. and there.
on the threshold of eternity, he -livered
that memorable speech worthy for its
loftlness Of tone, its blameless morality
its breadth CT view, to be regarded as his
testament TO the nation. Through all his
pride of country ana his JOY of its success
runs the notp of solemn warming as In
Kiplng's noble hymn Lest we forget
''Our capacity to produce has developed
so enormously and our products have 80
multiplied that the problem of more mar
kets requires our urgent and immediate
attention. Only a broad and enlightened
policy will keep what we have. No other
policy will get more. In these times of
marvellous business energy and gain we
ought to be looking to the future.
strengthening the weak places in our in
dustrial and commercial systems that we
may be ready for any storm or strain.
by sensible trade arrangements which
will not interrupt our home production We
shall extend the outlets for our increasing
surplus. A system which provides a mu-
tual exchange OF commodities is manifest
ly essential to the continued and healthful
growth of our export trade. We must not
repose In fancied security that We can
forever sell everything and buy little or
nothing. If such a thing were possible. It
would not be best for US or for those with
whom we deal. - Reciprocity Is the
natural outgrowth Of our wonderful in
dustrial development under the domestic
policy now firmly established. The
period Of exclusiveness is past. The ex-
pansion OF our trade and commerce Is the
pressing problem Commercial wars are
improbable. A policy of good will and
friendly trade relations will prevent re-
prisals. Reciprocity treaties are in hnr-
mony with the spirit OF the times; meas
ures of retaliation arc not"
/ wish had time TO read the whole OF
this wise and weighty speech. Nothing
might say could give such picture of the
presidents mind and character. His years
of apprenticeship had been served. Fe
stood that day past master of the art of
craftsmanship. lie had nothing more to
ask of the people. He owed them moth
ing but truth and faithful service. His
mind and heart were purged OF the temp
tations which beset all men engaged ia
the struggle to survive. In view of the
revelation of his nature vouchsafed to US
that day and the fate which impended
over him we can only say In deep affec-
ton and solemn awe, blessed are the
pure in heart, for they shall see God"
Even for that vision he was not uu-
worthy.
THE FATAL SUMMONS.
He bad not long to wait. The next day
spec lne Doll Oh uOOIng IOT a WGth
after-in an agony of dread broken BY
illusive glimpses of hope that our prayers
might be answered-the nation waited for
the end. Nothing in the glorious life that
we saw gradually waning was more ad-
mirable and exemplary than its close.
The gentle humanity of his words when
he saw his assailant in danger OF sum-
mary vengeance, Don't let them hurt
him." his chivalrous care that the news
should be broken gently to his wife, the
fine courtesy with which he apologized
for the damage which his death would
bring to the grent exhibition, and the he
roic resignation OF his final words, ut is
Gods way; his will, not ours, be done
were all the instructive expressions OF a
nature so lofty and so pure that pride in
its nobility at once softened and enhanced
the nations sense of loss. The republic
grieved over such a son, but is proud for
ever of having produced him. After all,
in spite of its tragic ending, his life was
extraordinarily happy. He had all his
and fruitful labor. and he became at last
ION fortunes crowning slope,
The pillar of a peoples hope,
The center of a worlds desire"
He was fortunate even in his untimely
death, for an event so tragical called the
world imperatlvely to the immediate study
of his life and character and thus antic-
Every young and growing people has to
meet, at moments. the problems Of its
destiny. Whether the question comes, as
In Egypt from a sphinx, symbol of the
hostile forces of omnipotent nature, who
Furnishes with instant death our failure 60
understand her meaning, or whether it
comes, as in Jerusalem, from the Lord Of
Hosts. who commands the building of his
temple, it comes always with the warning
that the past is past and experience vain.
"Your fathers, where are they, and the
prophets, do they live forever" The
fathers are dead the prophets are silent;
the questions are few and have no an
swer but in time.
When the horny outside case which pro-
tects the infancy of a chrysalis nation
suddenly bursts and in a single abrupt
shock 1t finds itself floating on wings
which had not existed before, whose
strength 1t has never tested, among dan
gers it cannot foresee and is without ex-
perience to measure, every motion is
problem and every hesitation may be an
error. The past gives no 'clew to the fu-
ture. The fathers, where are they, and
the prophets do they live forever? We
are ourselves the fathers We are our
selves the prophetsl The questions that
are put to us we must answer without de-
lay, without help, for the sphinx allows
no one to pass.
THE GENIUS OF PATIENCE.
At such moments which have already
occurred at least twice in the brief his
tory Of our own lives, we may be humbly
grateful to have had leaders simple in
mind, clear in vision as far as human
vision can safely extend, penetrating in
knowledge of men, supple and flexible un-
der the strains and pressures of society,
instinct with the energy Of new life and
untried strength, cautious. calm and,
above all. gifted in supreme degree with
the most surely victorious of all political
virtues-the genius of infinite patience.
The obvious elements which enter into
the fame OF q public man are few and by
no means recondite The man who fills q
great station in a period of change, who
leads his country successfully through a
time Of crisis; who by his power Of per-
suadlng and controlling others, has been
able 70 command the best thought of his
age, so as to leave his country in a moral
or material condition in advance OF where
he found it-such a mans position in his
tory is secure. II, in addition to this, his
written or spoken words possess the subtle
quality which carry them far and lodge
them in mems hearts. and. more than ALL
II his utterances and actions. while in
formed with a lofty morality. are yet
tinged with the glow OF human sympathy,
the fame of such a man will shine like
beacon through the mists of ages-an OBJ
ject of reverence. of imitation and OF love.
1t should be to us an occasion of solemn
pride that In the three great crises of our
history such a man was not denied u.s.