The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1905-02-03
Mr.. Justice Day, LADIES' and gentie.

we are assembled TO pay tribute 10
the memory OF great man one whom
we all knew and loved as friend,
We pause to recall his life and recount
his achievements which entitle him
to high rank among the foremost men
of remarkable era in the worlds
history. We do this, not for his good.
for he sleeps well yonder beyond
the reach OF praise of censure," but
for our own. We review life of pure
purpose and exalted deed, and fina
ourselves lifted to a higher and bet
ter plane by the contemplation.
The life of William Mckinley is,
indeed an open book. We are familiar.
with his incomings and outgoings
among us, from his birtn in the village
of Niles sixty-two years ago, until
he laid down his great responsibilities
in the city of Bufiaio. His life WAS
not a life OF ease anu ldleness, but-ope
OF activity; 1t was not an aimless life
but one of high and weli-dehned re-
solve. II was clean life; clean in
thought and spotloss in deed. .4 .,s,,.
William Mckinley was fortunate in
the, environment OF his youth. He was
born and reared in a rural communl
ty, amidst an Industrious, frugal,
home-loying, patriotic, God-fearing
people. He was reared among those
who believed in the school house and
the church and in the development OF
the highest type of personal character.
He had a passion for knowledge and
was profound believer in the say.
ing grace OF the Christian religion.
He loved freedom and believed in the
virtue of the institutions founded by
the patriotism, the wisdom and sacri-
fees of our fathers. -..
When the slave power, sought to de-
stroy the Republic; when the shot at
Fort Sumpter awakened the country
to a realization of It's supreme peril,
he did not hesitate as TO his duty.
but rendered his sword to his govern
ment, in order that the best Republic
devised by the wit of man might be
preserved to present and future gen.
erations. He did not solicit and
await an officers commission, but en-
tered the service as private in the
ranks of the famous Twenty-third Ohio
Volunteer Infantry, realizing full well
that at the post of duty all honor
lies. He speedily won the favorable
opinion Of his superior officers by &C.
tive, intelligent and heroic service.
In good time promotion followed pro-
motion, not because he wished il, but
because he well deserved 1t. He had
the full confidence of his commanders.
Hayes and Crook and Hancock. He
won 1t by his complete conservation
to arduous service in the field for the
preservation of the national integrity
He shirked no responsibility and no
task was too severe for him When.
ever and wherever duty commanded
he obeyed This was the dominant
characteristic manifested throughout
his illustrious career, whether in the
serious field of war or in the more in,
-viting ways of peace. He entered the
army of the Union early in June, 1861,
and remained until peace was restored
and there was no longer need OF his
services. He was honorably mustered
out and turned Immediately to the
study of law. He began here his pro.
fessional career in 1867. He began
without wealth and without prestige
He came comparative stranger
among a generous and hospitable peo,
pie. He speedily won his way to your
confidence and your affection, and
early began to enjoy his professional
rewards. Within two years after he
had cast his fortunes with yours, you
manifested your confidence in him by
eecting him prosecuting attorney of
this county Seven years later he was
called to the congress of the United
States 1t was happy circumstance
that he entered the national capitol
in company with his military com
mander and devoted personal friend.
Rutherford b. Hayes. He carried into
the new field Of service a character
without reproach and high concep-
tion of public duty. He entered the
congress of the United States with
an earnest desire to exalt his country
and promote to the utmost the welfare
In fellowship with men Of great abil.
lty; men OF long PUBIC service. he
was diligent, conscientious and apt
student of the affairs of state. He
speedily won the respect and conf
dence Of his associates. He did not
attempt Immediately to assert leader.
ship, but through the force of his
genius and by right of service well per-
formed, he became one OF the trusted
leaders among a body of men where
leadership is not easily won; where 1t
is sharply contested. and where 1t is
acknowledged, not as matter of per-
sonal favor, but as a matter of right
He gave to all questions which en-,
gagged the attention Of tho law max,
ers of the nation, conscientious and In
telligent consideration. He spoke
whenever occasion demanded and al
ways had an attentive hearing, for he