The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1902-03-01

Iul 10 point out ,-.. r,ry unns no ms~
done was in faithful compliance with the
law itself.
HIS LAST SPEECH.
la tha; mood of high hope. Of generous
expectation. he went 10 Buffalo. and there.
on the threshold Of eternity. he delivered
that memorable speech worthy for its
holiness OF tone, .ls bameless morality.
its breadth OF view. 10 be regarded as his
testament 10 the nation. Through all his
pride Of country and his Joy Of its success
runs the note of solemn warning. as In
Kipling noble hymn. Lest we forget
"Our capacity 10 produce has developed
so enormously and our products have so
multiplied that the problem of more mar
kets requires our urgent and immediate
attention. only a broad ana enlightened
policy VIII keep what We have No other
policy will get more. In these times Of
marvellous business energy and gain we
ought To bee looking TO the future.
strengthening thu weak places in our In
dustral 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. \ system which provides mu-
tual exchange Of commodities IS manifest
~ essential TO the continued and healthfui
growth OF our export trade We must not
repose In fancicd security that we can
forever sell everything and buy little or
nothing If such thing were possible, 1t
would not bee 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 cNclusiveness is past. The ex-
pansion OF our trade and commerce Is the
pressing problem. Commercial wars are
unprontahle \ policy OF good will and
friendly trade relations will prevent re-
prisals Reciprocity treaties are in har-
mony with the spirit of the times; meas
ures OF retaliation are not
wish l 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 He
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 besct all men engaged IN
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 I'm deep affec-
ton and solemn awe. blessed are the
pure in heart for they shall see God.
Even for that vision he was not UNI
worthy
THE FATAL SUMMONS.
lie 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 that our prayers
10. a
the end. Nothing in the glorious life that
we saw gradually waning was more adj
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 vita which he apOlogized
for the damage which his death would
bring TO the great exhibition. and the he
role resignation Of his final words, 1T Is
Gods way; his Will. not ours. be done.
were all the instructive expressions OF
nature so lofty and so pure that pride IN
its nobility at once softened and enhanced
the nations sense OF loss. The republic
greved over such a son. but is proud for
ever of having produced him. After an,
in spite Of It's tragic ending. his life was
extraordinarily happy. lie had all his
DAYS troops OF friends. the cheer OF fame
and fruitful labor and he became al last
ION fortunes GROWING slope.
The pillar OF a peoples hope
The center OF a world s desire"
He was fortunate even in his untimely
death. for am event so tragical called the
world imperauvely to the immediate study
Of his life and character and thus antici-
pated the sure praises OF pOsterty.
aaaHr d.
meet. AT moments. the problem 1of its
destiny Whether the question e les, as
I'm Egypt from a sphinx. syr ~ pf the
hostile forces of omnipotent -. who
Furnishes with instant death our failure 20
understand her mcTing or whether II
comes as in Jerusalem. from the Lord of
Hosts who commands the building OF his
temple. 1t 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 II has never tested. among dam
gers il 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 20 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 prophets The questions that
are put to US we must answer without de-
lay without help for the sphinx allows
no one unaa