Inaugural Address as President of the Medico-Legal Society [excerpt]

     The recent events that have come to affect human destiny, especially in this nation and its environment, that have crowded upon us, in the past year, are of such enormous import, and so relate to and affect us, and our future, in the American nation as, to exceed in interest any and indeed all other years within our recent recollection.
     The death of the Queen of England; the accession of King Edward to the throne of the British Empire, and his coronation next summer, have had, not only a very great influence in our country, but coupled with the tragic death of President McKinley, (the President most beloved of any by the American people since President Lincoln), have touched the hearts and aroused the keenest sensibilities of all peoples, who speak the language of our country, as they have never before been affected by human events. The accession of President Roosevelt to the chief seat in our nation, as the sequel of the terrible tragedy that placed the responsibility of this high place, with all its solemnities, upon him, seems to have united our people, with one mind to rally to his support, and to have lifted him to a higher sense of the great public interests and trusts, committed to his charge, and the spirit in which he received it, and the strong pledges he gave to the nation with such emotion and solemnity, to carry out the policy of the dead President, so clearly enunciated and defined, on the very day of his death, seems to have almost transferred to the new ruler, the great wealth of affection with which the American people had regarded the dead McKinley.