The Billings gazette. [volume] (Billings, Mont.) 1896-1919, 1902-01-28
TUESDAY, JANUARY %, 1902.
UNSEEMLY CRITICISM,

the birth of the late President Nj
klnley and at the suggestion of thos
having in charge the memorial whic]
it is intended to erect to the memor.
of the murdered statesman it will b,
made the occasion for a national offer
ing in furtherance of the project. TIL
recommendation that the school chill
dren Of the land be given the oppor
tunity on this day to add their modes
contributions to the fund has me-
with the approval of everybody, with
n exception. The exception is =
Montana newspaper. That paper has
een fit to characterize the memorial
associations recommendation as q
species of "holdup,' a compulsory
contribution from those who may not
be able to contribute or who may not
desire to give anything. In defense
Of it's p%rejudiced position the paper
referred to declares that many who
admired the martyred president while
in life and venerate his memory in
death believe that his record as a
president and his accomplishments as
a statesman and patriot should ever
be the grandest and Hottest monu-
ment that it is possible to conceive
and that his place in history will en-
dure and shine with renewed lustre
and brilliancy when time shall have
t.. nnTrr6nI hroc q o~I flo oJo-,--l. .,-..
the marble of chiseled pillar or heroic
mould that the hands of mar may at
tempt to erect in perpetuation of his
memory. 1t declares that the PROPOSE
ton shf uld never have been permitted
to be seriously entertained because it
pretends to consider it wrong. Under
the expression Opportunity to con-
tribute" it processes to see a sort of
covert threat, a demand that because
OF pride and sensitiveness many will
be unable to ignore, although unable
n possibly unwilling to contribute,
n consequently instead of being
the free and spontaneous Offering of a
nation the fund in reality will be only
money extorted from unwilling donors.
With well feigned virtuous indigna-
ton it assumes to speak for the man
whom it is proposed to honor and ar
raigns the committee and those who
are assisting it by declaring that if
n spirit of the great departed is en-
doWed with consciousness and vouch- |
safed the knowledge of things trans |
plring on the mundane sphere it will
scorn those who are seeking to glorify |
his name and perpetuate his deeds
Decause of the methods they are pur-
suing in furtherance of their desires
Could it know what they are doing,
this exalted critic of his admirers and
friends declares, his honored body
would turn in it's hallowed grave be-
cause of the shame and humiliation it
would feel.
why the newspaper referred to
should find it incumbent upon itself
to assume the attitude it does in the
matter is hard to understand. That
the children should be permitted to
add their mite to the purpose of erect
ing an enduring memorial to the mem
DRY OF the assassinated president is
but right. They all know about hin
and the very books from which they
are taught tell them of his achieve
ments on the field of battle ana in tho
halls OF the nations lawmakiDe
bodies. 1t will be a lesson in patriot
ism and will instill into their youth
full minds love of country and admira-
ton for it's honored dead. 1t will teach
them that a nation is endowed with
such an attribute as gratitude and
that those who deserve we'll of il are
eve forgotten. No name is greater
in American history than that of
Washington, yet monuments and col
without number have beer erect
ed to his memory in the land that
glories in having been the one of his
birth. Wherever such memorial has
Its place it stands as a lesson in pa
trlotism and inspires the youth of the
land with greater love of country and
appeals to it in a tangible, material
way to devote it's best energies and
impulses to~the advancement of the
glory and welfare.
Let the little n e give and let them
understand that however humble or
modest their contribution it is a
to a patriot and a man who
merits all their v%eneration and whose
example is one that all may follow
with credit to themselves and honor
their native land. The boys and
girls of today are the fathers and
mothers of tomorrow and all that