Griggs courier. (Cooperstown, Griggs Co., Dak. [N.D.]) 1885-1902, 1902-03-06

A Great Diplomat.
In dealing with foreign powers. he viii
take rank with the greatest Of our dipio.
matists. II was q world Of which he had
little SPECIAL knowledge before coming to
lne presidency. But his marvellous adapt.
aDlity was IN nothing more remarkable
than N the firm grasp he Immediately dis
played ~ International relations. II pre-.
p0rlng Tor war and In the restoration OF
peace he was alike adroit. courteous. and
fs;nar q Itself as in China in STATE Of
precedent and international lawIno safe
ana certain precept. he hesttated not moo
hi III 20 take the course marked out tor
national interests. Even while the lega-
lions were fighting for their lives against
tSat nc Of infuriated fanatiSs he decided
while that conclusion did not hinderNhim
n from taking the most energetic measures
him to maintain close and friendly rela-
lions with the wise and her .ic viceroys Of
the south. whose resolute stand saved that
ton. lie disposed Of every Question n as it
arose with promptness and clarity of
vision that astonished his advisers, and he
never had occasion to review a judgment
or reverse a decision.
BY patience. by firmness, by sheer rea-
sonab!eness, he improved our understands
an pd VIII Tsht an the great powers Of the world
longs to the peacemakers.
The Nations Prosperity.
ments of, the nation in war and diplomacy
are thrown in the shade by the vast eco
a aom1ea1 deyel1Pments which took PLACE
to the time of his first election. the coun-
try was suffering from long period Of de-
preston, the reasons of which I will not
lots were counted that betokened his ad.
vent to power great and momentous
movement in advance declared itself along
In the very month of his Inauguration steel
rails began to be sold at SIS ton-one of
the most significant facts of modern times.
justed themselves to the long depression
that through the power Of the race to or
ganize and combine, stimulated by the COM
prospect Of legislation favorable to indus
rest of the world. The movement went on
party kept the pledges of their platform
and their canvass.
Ended Third. Term Talk.
Mr. Mckinley was reelected by an over
whelming majority. He inspired uni.
versal. confidence. which is the lifeblood
1t began frequently to be said that such
a state Of things ought to continue: one
after another men of prominence said
cessor. He paid little attention to these
suggestions until they were repeated by
some of his nearest friends. Then he
ditions of our public life was in danger.
The generation which has seen the proph-
ecy OF the papal throne-Non videbis amos
Of holy men was in peril Of forgetting
the unwritten law of our republic: Thou
shalt not exceed the years Of Washing
speak, and In his characteristic manner
he spoke, briefly. but enough. Where
the the lightning i strikes there Is no need OF
dreamed of doubting his purpose Of re-
firing at the end of his second term. and
1t wi be long before another such les
son Is required.
High Hopes for the Future.
I spent day with him shortly before
hope and patriotic confidence. He was
as sure. of the future of his country as
the Psalmist who cried: Glorious things
He was gratified to the heart that we
free hand II the rSa ei In s fancy he
gosies Of the world passing through it
in peace and amity. He saw in the inn
menSe evolution Of American trade the
Of all his labors. He was-1 need not
say-an ardent protectionist, never more
sincere and devoted than during those
procity as the bulwark of protection
not a breach, but fulfllment Of the
law. The treaties which for four years
supervision he regarded as anciilary to
the general scheme. He was opposed to
any revolutionary plan of change in the
point out that everything he had done
itself.
In that mood Of high hope, Of generous
there, on the threshold of eternity. he
delivered that memorable speech, worthy
for its loftiness Of tone. its blameless
garded as his testament to the nation.
The Tragic End.
dread broken by Elusive glimpses of
hope that our prayers might be answered
in the glorious life that we saw gradual
ly waning was more admirable and ex-
emplary than its close. The. gentle hui
assaiiant in danger of summary ven
geance: Don't let them hurt him." his
chivalrous care that the news should be
t Sgfe Win Which he apeiosised n for the
damage which his death would bring to
the great exhibition; and the heroic resig-
wagon Way. His Will mot o1ps, of 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 sOn-but Is proud
forever of having produced him. After
all, in spite of its tragic ending, his life
was extraordinarily happy He had. all
his days, troops of friends, the cheer Of
fame and fruitful labor; and he became
at last
ION fortunes browning 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 imperatively to the immediate
study of his life and character, and thus
anticipated the sure praises of posterity.
In COnclusi0n.
The obvious elements which enter into
the fame of public man are few and by.
no means reconcile. The man who fills
a great station in a period of. change.
through time of crisis; who, by his
power of persuading and controlling 9TH
ers, has been able to command the best
thought of his age, so as to- leave his
country In moral or material condition
in advance of where he found it-such a
mans position in history is secure. If.
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. If his utter
ances and actions, while informed with
a lofty morality, are yet tinged with the
glow of human sympathy, the fame OF
such a man will shine like a beacon