| Publication information |
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Source: Bible Sidelights from Shakspeare [sic] Source type: book Document type: essay Document title: “Doing Good to the Enemy” Author(s): Burgess, William Publisher: none given Place of publication: none given Year of publication: 1913 Pagination: 38-40 (excerpt below includes only page 40) |
| Citation |
| Burgess, William. “Doing Good to the Enemy.” Bible Sidelights from Shakspeare [sic]. [n.p.]: [n.p.], 1913: pp. 38-40. |
| Transcription |
| excerpt of essay |
| Keywords |
| McKinley assassination; William McKinley (personal character). |
| Named persons |
| William McKinley. |
| Notes |
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From title page: Bible Sidelights from Shakspeare: Twenty Lay Homilies
from Parallel Texts of The Bible and of Shakspeare’s Works.
From title page: By William Burgess, Author of “The Bible in Shakspeare” [sic], “The Religion of Ruskin,” etc. |
| Document |
Doing Good to the Enemy [excerpt]
It is in supreme moments that the real test of character appears. When President McKinley was struck to death his first thought was of pity and kindness towards his assassin. Forgetting his own agony, he exclaimed: “Let no one hurt him.” That was the crowning utterance of McKinley’s life. It struck a note so high that no angel ever reached higher. Its power was instantly felt; angry men unfolded their clenched fists and turned with mute admiration towards the man who, in a moment of supreme trial, was first considerate for his murderer. It resounded throughout the nation and its echoes reached the uttermost parts of the earth. No act of all the martyred President’s life has projected so great an influence upon the world. No word he ever uttered is so valuable as an asset for time and immortality.