Free Silver Versus Imperialism (1900) [excerpt]

     President McKinley was inaugurated for his second term March 4, 1901, but his work was done. On September 6, while attending the Pan-American Exposition at Buffalo, he was shot by an anarchist, and died on the 14th of the same month, being the third president of the United States to fall by the hand of an assassin. His death was universally regretted: he had been singularly pure and blameless in his private life, honest in his public service, kindly and gentle in his contact with men, and skilful in handling them. He did much to close the last breach left by the Civil War.
     His death placed in the presidential chair Theodore Roosevelt, of New York, one of the most active, aggressive, and picturesque characters that has appeared in American public life. In spite of his declaration on taking the oath of office that he would “continue absolutely unbroken the policy of President McKinley,” there was little doubt in the public mind that he would make a record of his own.