The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1906-09-18


sion of the ceremonies connected with
the unveiling of the monument in
memory of the late President McKin-
ley yesterday at, Columbus, was made
by-Judge w. r. Day, of this city. He
spoke as follows:
We are met at the capital of his
native state to dedicate this beautiful
memorial to the life and character of
one of her noblest sons. Time and
place fit the occasion. In this city
William Mckinley passed four years
as governor of the state. Years of
study and growth as his public utter
ances of that period abundantly show.
Believing in the supremacy of the ma
tion in affairs of state which the con-
stitution has placed under federal con-
troll, he was ever loyal to his native
state and Jealous of her reputation
and standing in the family of the un-
ion. Born upon the soil of Ohio he
grew to manhood under the fostering
care Of her institutions. Upon her
friendly bosom among kindred and
friends whom he loved and cherished
mis- sacred ashes will rest, and over
looking his old home a national me-
mortal will attest the love and graft.
tude of his countrymen.
Ohio has been prolific of great names
in peace and war. No native of the
state but feels a just pride in the
achievements of her sons. 1t were
useless in this presence to call the roll
of her illustrious dead The nation
be called upon to present her jewels
to the state, there will be found with
in the circle the noble face and figure
of the latest of her children who wera
not born to die.
1t is fitting that with such memor-
ials as this we perpetuate the names
and fame of our illustrious dead
While they serve to recall their char
acter and achievements, they are also
object lessons to the living. How
many a youth, as he looks upon the
manly face so vividly portrayed by the
sculptor, and reads in the groups
which surround this statue the lesson
of a noble life, will be stimulated to
higher endeayor and more resolute
purpose to achieve an honorable sue
cess.
A TYPICAL AMERICAN.
William Mckinley, boy and man
was a type of the best possibilities of
American life. Born neither to riches
or poverty, he was fortunate in his
birth and the heritage of his parent
age. Descended from that hardy, Wig.
orous race, which has given so many
noble men to our country, he was
early taught to revere God and respect
the rights of his fellowmen. His pious
mother, many of whose noble traits
found expression in the character ol
her son, hoped he might follow the /,
ministry of the church which was hers
and early in life became his. Although |,
he was destined for a different career !
he never forgot or departed from thd
lessons of simple and upright living
which this noble woman taught him |
hoping that some day he might teach (
them to others. Every day of his life |
whether in the quiet of home, on the ,
eve of battle, or when pressed with
burdens seldom borne by man in the
great affairs of state, he quietly and
unostentationsly sought help and guild
ance from on high. Unfaltering as
was his devotion to his own faith, he
had the bfOadest liberation for the .
views Of others, and freely conceded
TO all the liberty of conscience which |
he claimed for himself, numbering
among his friends men of all creeds
and shades Of religious belief.
Brought into early contact through !
the business of his father, who was
an iron-master, with men who toll
in shop and factory, he early con-
eeived A strong sympathy for them,
and became an ardent advocate of
every measure which he believed |
would lead to the betterment of their
condition and give to them a greater
share of the comforts of living. Later
he expressed his sympathy and his
belief in the advantages to be derived |
from improved conditions when he
said:
"The labor of the country consti-
tutes it's strength and it's wealth; and
the better that labor is conditioned,
the higher its rewards, the wider it's
opportunities, and the greater it's COM
forts and refnements, the more sac
red will be our homes, the more cap
able will be our children and the
nobler will be the destiny that awaits
us"
From the school he heard the call !
OF his country to her sons, and at
once stepped into the ranks as a de-
fender of the Union. His associates
in arms. officers in the regiment, in
eluding such lawyers as Hayes and
Matthews, and in their companionship