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The Maryland Bankers’ Association [excerpt]
The address of the President, Mr. Robert Shriver, President First
National Bank of Cumberland, was an important utterance in many
respects, in that it voiced the sentiment of the Association in
his eloquent tribute to the memory of the late President, as well
as upon the subject of asset banking.
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Among the events of the past year
that go to make up the history of our nation is that one which took
from us our chosen ruler, our well-beloved President, William McKinley.
I refer to it for the purpose of adding to the many expressions
of respect that have already been made; an expression, on the part
of this Association, of the affectionate esteem and admiration in
which he is held by all its members. There has, perhaps, never lived
any person whose death has evoked encomiums so spontaneous, so general,
so world-wide, so sincerely felt and so beautifully worded as those
written for him, and it is not surprising that he has been given
the exalted title “Well-beloved.” [348][349]
Were we to attempt to foresee the
results of such an occurrence as the striking down suddenly of the
chief magistrate of the nation, I take it that financial flurries
and disaster would be the first thing we would predict. But here
we have the remarkable instance of just such an occurrence, the
country at large changed from its usual quiet routine into a state
of intense excitement and anxiety, and again restored to its equanimity
with scarcely a ripple to disturb the regular flow of its business
and commercial affairs. It is hardly conceivable that such an event,
so widespread in its effects, could transpire so tranquilly.
It is a remarkable event in many ways,
and in none greater than in the display of patriotism by the whole
people, their esteem for their President as a ruler and as a man,
their sympathy with his bereaved widow, and their complete confidence
in President Roosevelt in his accession to the high office so suddenly
vacated.
It is fitting, therefore, to express
our respect and affection for ex-President McKinley, and also to
assert our intention to uphold President Roosevelt in all his efforts
for good government. Thus far the new President has shown himself
well worthy of our encouragement and support, and these, I feel
sure, will be freely and earnestly accorded him.
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