The Billings gazette. [volume] (Billings, Mont.) 1896-1919, 1907-10-01

or CalT0rn1a COnIGEESa Inc uSSTSS u
LII. D. upon him Id words SO well chos-
en- that they struck the fastidious
taste Of John Hay, then secretary Of
state, who wrote and asked for a copy
Of them from President Wheeler. On
the receipt Of this copy he sent the
following letter to President Mckinley,
a letter which now seems filled with
strange and unconscious prescience:
Dear Mr.. President:
president Wheeler sent me the in
closed at my request. You will have
the words in more permanent shape.
They seem to me remarkably well
chosen, and stately and dignified
enough to serve long hence, please
God-a your epitaph. Yours, faith
fully. JOHN HAY
.University of California, Once Of
the President.
"By authority vested in me by the
regents of the University of Califor-
mia, | confer the degree of doctor Of
laws upon William Mckinley, presi-
dent. OF the United. States, a. states
men singularly gifted to unite the ols-
cordant forces Of the, government and
mold the diverse purposes Of men to-
ward progressive and salutary action,
a magistrate whose poise of Judgment
mas been tested and Vindieated in a
succession Of national emergencies;
good citizen, brave soldier, wise execu-
tive, helper and leader of men, exem-
plar to his people Of the virtues that
build and conserve the state, society
and the home. ~
Berkeley, May Is, l901.' 5 \
1T would be hard to imagine an
epitaph which a good citizen would be
more anxious to deserve or one which
would more happily describe the quail
tiles Of that great and good citizen
whose life we here connemorate He
possessed to very extraordinary de-
gree the gift Of uniting discordant
forces and securing from them a har-
monious action which told for good
government From purposes not mere
ly diverse, but bitterly conflicting, he
was able to secure healthfnl action
for the good Of the state. In both
poise and judgment he rose level to
the several emergencies he had to
meet as leader of the nation, and like
all men with the root of true great
ness in them, he grew to steadily
larger stature under the stress OF
heavy responsibilities. He was a good
citizen and a brave soldier, a chief
executive whose wisdom entitled him
to the trust which he received through
out the nation. He was not only a
Header of men, but preeminently
helper of men; for one of his most
marked traits was the intensely hu'
man quality of his wide and deep sym
pathy. Finally, he not merely preach
ed. he was, that most valuable OF all
/ citizens in a democracy like ours, 9
1 man who in the highest place served
4 as an unconscious example to his peo
1Iple of the virtues that build and con
serve alike our public life, and the
1 foundation OF all public life, the init
mate life of the home.
Many lessons are taught US by ms
4 career, but none more valuable thar
The lesson of broad human sympathy
for and among all of our citizens O.
all classes and creeds. No other pres
i ident has ever more deserved to have
Ihis life work characterized in Lincoln's
! words as being carried on with malice
/ toward none, with charity toward
4 ALL AS a boy he worked hard VIII
his hands; he entered the army as
/. private soldier; he knew poverty; III
earned his own livelihood; and by hi
i own exertions he finally, rose to tht
position of a man Of moderate means
/ Not merely was he In personal toucl
i with farmer and town dWe1ler, Will
capitalist and wageworker, but he fel
i in intimate understandinf of each
and therefore an intimate sympath,,
j with each; and his consistent efor
!. was 10 try to Judge all by the sam
standard and TO treat all with the sam
| Justice. Arrogance toward the weak
and envlous hatred OF those well o.
were equally abhorrent to mis- just an
.l gentle eoul.
! Surely this attitude of his Shout
/ IIbe the attitude OF all our people today
: It would be a cruel disaster to thi
{ country TO permit ourselves to ador
J an attitude OF hatred and envy fowar
: success worthily won, toward wealt
, honestly acquired. Let us in thd
> respect profit by the example OF th
republic OF this western hemisphere
5 the south OF ,fs. Some OF these repul
J. lies have prospered greatly: but ther
b are certain ones that have Jagged "a
, behind, that still continue In a cond
q tion Of material poverty, OF social an
o political unrest and confusion. Wit
i out exception the republics OF tf