Omaha daily bee., 1903-01-28
HELPS NATION THROUGH NASTY CRISIS
When Elected America Faces New Prob
lens Which Bar All Progress
DEPRESSION GIVES WAY TO PROSPERITY
Executives High Ideals and Direction
Lifted Land 10 Foremost Place.
BIRTHDAY BANQUET is HELD IN CANTON
Prominent Men in Public Life Unite
TO Pay signal Tribute TO slain
Head of United states
Government.

CANTON, o., Jan. 27.-Presdent Roose- |
welt tonight participated in a notable trib- |
ute 10 the memory Of the late President |
Mckinley He was the principal orator at |
a banquet given under the auspices Of the !
Canton league on the late presidents birth !
day. Surrounded by friends neghbors, |
business and political associates Of the dead
president, he pronounced brilliant and
eloquent eulogy upon the life and works
of Mckinley, a eulogy by many regarded
as the most beautiful and heartfelt tribute
ever paid to the memory Of the distin-
guished dead.
The banquet was held in the grand opera
house, the seats being removed in the pit
and the house entirely refloored for the
occasion. The interior OF the building was
beautifully decorated with flags and flow
ers, the floral decorations being particu-
larly elaborate. Festoons OF flags were ar
ranged around the gallery and the thir-
teen great banquet boards were massed
with carnations and roses and inteTspersed
with smilax and ferns.
Among the 457 guests we're, besides
President Roosevelt, Judge Day. toastmas
ter; Secretary Root, Secretary Cortelyou,
Generals S. B. NJ. Young, General Luke
L. Wright, Surgeon General Rixey. Cap
tain w. S. Cowles, Colonel Theodore Big
ham, Assistant Secretary OF Agriculture
Bingham, Representative r. w. Taylor,
James w. Grant, Colonel Myron T. Her
rick Of Cleveland, J. G. Schmidlapp, H. H.
Kohlsaat OF Chicago and Charles Emory
Smith.
Judge Day Pays Tribute.
Judge Day, as toastmaster introduced
President Roosevelt and spoke briefly in
part as follows:
We commemorate today the birth of a
great American Though gone from US, he
has left the imperishable memory of his
character and deeds. His life is a part
of the history of his time. The great
things he wrought have left their imprint
upon his countrys destiny and have writ
ten his name among the immortals.
To the most Of those who, gather about
and love William Mckinley This city was
hts home 1t was here he came after four
years OF service In the neld TO begin the
civil career scarcely paralleled in the
There are those here tonight who watched
keen interest of friendship. To have known
William Mckinley was a constant lesson
in patriotic devotion to public, duty and
cheerful constancy in upright living. He
never forgot the friends of his early man
hood. From the highest places his eyes
turned fondy to the white porch of his
He often declared that the good will and
dearer to him than the highest earthly
honor. He believed in the uphuilding OF
American citzenshi9 OF the IN ,S en'aTgemisnI
home. In these he found the highest duties
OF constructive craftsmanship
without Ostentation or Display.
In such a home, without ostentation or
display, William Mckinley lived. In its
domestic peace and comfort he had hoped
to pass the remainder OF his days when
the cares Of Office should be laid aside.
II is fitting that In this home OF ms ms
TO pay tribute to his memory and to renew
the lessons of patriotism and virtue whlch
his life taught. William Mckinleys most
precious legacy to mankind Is the example
OF his life and character. He believed I'M
piicity in his country and its institutions
He had supreme faith In the people. He
recognized that an enlightened pubic SEN
timent was the ultimate appeal OF ht Ihe
to guide 1t In the channel be believed best
and safest for its welfare.
the people ne served. He kept in touch
with them and, as far as possible, de-
Its"oTHi In pTivate ufe he met his fellow citizens
upon equal terms. He fulfilled 70 the lueal
Cardinal Newman's definition or sehtle-
man. He never inflicted pain.
Presence an Inspiration.
His presence was always an inspiration.
His duty clear, he never shirked RESPONSE
bilIty however grave He nerved others 10
tkeir duty. He loved to make others happy'
ali his strength of purpose and character
he was genteness itself. He loved to give
a kind word when he could DO no more, lac
with silence and unfair criticism with char
ity He was possessed Of sublime coIr-
age, sustained by an abiding taith In MS
God that did not falter In the presence of
death. In his career the youth " the coun-
try may learn that the surest foundation OF
enduring success Is character.
II is a high tribute TO the fame and
memory OF William Mckinney that Drlhss
q. III fnnnN
servance Of this occasion the president OF
the United States, the members OF MS
the public service and from among those
who served with him in war and peace.
Roosevelt an Able Successor.
This country has not lacked high-minded
and able men TO serve II In time OF need.
II did not lack such one when our great
leader fell. In his strong grasp OF the
helm, the ship has kept true 70 its course.
He has steadily grown In the love and Goa
ance the country is still advancing in pros
perity and security at home and respect
Il is one Of the felicities Of the occasion
and one FOL which we feel the highest ap-
probation that the president, cordially aG-
cepting the invitation extended him, Is able
10 be with US this evening.
There is no man better htted to portray
the great character of the man in whose
honor We assemble tonight II is a privilege
TO present !3,S,l 10 X0n 10 respond TO The tirst
Roosevelt, president OF the United States
Mckinley One of Few.
In reply Mr.. Roosevelt said;
Mr. Toastma ster and Gentlemen
Throughout our history, and indeed
throughout history generally, Il has beer
given 10 only a very few thrice-faVoreC
men 70 take so marked a lead In the crises
faced BY their several generations thai
thereafter each stands as the embodiment
OF the triumphant effort Of his generation
President Mckinley was one Of these men
II during the lifetime Of a generation M
crisis occurs sufficient TO call out In marked
manner the energies OF the strongest leader
then OF course the world does not and cannO
know OF the existence Of such leader, an,
in consequence there are long periods n
the history OF every nation during whiCl
no man appears who leaves an indelibl
mark I'M history H. on the other hand
the crisis Is one so many-sided as To cal
for the development and exercise Of man!
distinct attributes, Il may be that NOR
.,-fIl IN hal d.