The Washburn times. [volume] (Washburn, Wis.) 1896-1976, 1902-03-06

relief and renewal of trust were evil
dent among the leaders OF capital
and of industry, not only in this
country but everywhere.
Let US say frankly he was party
man; he believed the policies advo-
Gated by him and his friends coun ted
for much in the country's progress
and prosperity. He hoped in his
second term to accomplish substan-
tial results in the development and
affirmation of those policies. spent
a day with him shortly before he
started on his Hateful journey to Buff
falo. Never had 1 seen him higher
in hope and patriotic confidence.
He was as sure of the future of his
country as the Psalmist who cried
GLORIOUS things are spoken of thee,
thou city of God. $" He was gratified
to the heart that we had arranged a.
treaty which gave US free hand in
the isthmus. In fancy he saw the
canal already built and the argosies
of the world passing through it in
peace and amity. He saw in the
Immense evolution of American trade
the fulfillment of all his dreams, the
reward Of all his labors. He regard
ed reciprocity as the bulwark of pro-
! tection-not breach, but a fulfill
ment of the law. The treaties which
for four years had been preparing
under his personal supervision he re-
garded as auxiliary to the general
scheme.
j Speech Eternity's Threshold.
In that mood of high hope of gen
erous expectation, he went to Buffalo,
and there, on the threshold of eter-
nifty, he delivered that memorable
speech, worthy of its holiness of tone
its blameless morality, its breadth Of
view, to be regarded as his testiment'
to the nation. Through all his pride
of country and his JOY of its success,
runs the note of solemn warning, as
in Kipling's noble hymn, Lest we
forget. "
His years of apprenticeship had
been served. He stood that day past
master of the art of craftsmanship.
He had nothing more to ask of the
people. He owed them nothing but
truth and faithful services. His
mind and heart were purged of the
temptations which beset all men en-
gagged in the struggle to survive. In
view of the revelation of his nature
vouchsafed tous that day, and the
fate which impended over him, we
can only say in deep affection and
solemn awe, BLESSED are the pure
in heart, for they shall see God"
Even for that vision he was not un-
worthy.
He had not long to wait. The
next day sped the bolt of doom, and
| for a week after-in an agony of
dread broken by Elusive glimpses of
hope chat our prayers might be
Iswered-the nation waited for the
end. Nothing in the glorious life
tnat we saw gradually waning was
more admirable and exemplary than
its close. The gentle humanity of
his words, when he saw his assailant
in danger of summary vengeance,
Don let them hurt him.; his CHI
varous 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 great exhibition;
and the heroic resignation of his fin
al words, ut is God S way, His will,
not ours, be done, were all the in
stinctive expressions of a nature so
lofty and so pure that pride in its
nobility at once softened and en-
4 HANGED the nations sense of loss.
The republic grieved over such son
butt is proud forever of having
produced him. After all, in spite Of
tits tragic ending, his life was extra
ordinarily happy.
Elements of Fame.
The obvious elements which enter
Into the fame of a public man are few
and by no means reconcile. The
man who fills great station in a
period Of change, who leads his
country successfully through time
of trials: who, by his power of per-
suading and controlling others, has
/ been able to command the hest