A Tribute to the Martyred President

     William McKinley was one of the best Presidents America has ever had, and one of the most beloved by all sections of the people. At a moment when it least expected such a catastrophe the nation is plunged into mourning for him who has carried the country fearlessly through many crises. He had endeared himself to the people through his labors, his patriotism, his wisdom, his purity of life, and his lofty career.
     He was a trusted leader who had brought the nation to unprecedented prosperity by his tactful administration. He was a man who rose to eminence through his native ability and one of whom the American people may well be proud.
     He had secured for himself a place in the great line of American Statesmen through his disinterested efforts for his country, and he has succeeded in obtaining for it the distinction of being called one of the great nations of the world. His name will certainly be linked with those of Washington and Lincoln, the two great masters of the Science and Art of Nationalization. It was, however, left to McKinley to add the consolidation on the Union which was the aim of the Federal Constitution. The work of McKinley has been as great as that of Washington or Lincoln. It was given to Washington to begin, to Lincoln to continue, but to McKinley to complete the work of solidification of the national spirit. Therefore, was his work not as great as theirs, as truly genuine and important?
     May God guide the nation and lead others to follow the high example of the noble life set by him whose death the world mourns.
     McKinley died as he lived—a Christian.
     He was known for his devotion to duty, and his noble character had endeared him to the American people.
     History will record the events in his life devoted to public service and his wisdom in formulating the policies of our country. His love of home and family have cemented him to the hearts of his fellow countrymen.
     He did more than any other man to build up our great industries, he showed how new markets could be formed and industries be made more effective in multiplying commercial relations with other powers. In his last speech he showed a thorough knowledge of the main questions of our American industries and commerce, and his knowledge amounted to genius.
     McKinley accomplished more than any other leader, for he destroyed forever the last line of prejudice in the solid South, and North and South united their votes in both campaigns for him. The war with Spain cemented that union when the Government called for troops. McKinley’s first administration further succeeded in uprooting two political issues, which had inflamed internal dessensions [sic]—the tariff question, which had divided the agricultural from the manufacturing States, and Southern interests against the Northern; while the silver question was definitely settled, which had raised [108][109] considerable contention between the rich and the poor, the Far West and South from the North and East, but which ceased with the election of 1900. As various prejudices have been cleared away and weighty problems settled, the American political life has settled down to its true national character. With the new responsibilities, and opportunities which were the outcome of the Spanish War, President McKinley met them with a prophetic vision that is characteristic of a great man. Through the conclusion of the treaty of Paris, American Statecraft has set itself to consider new problems and the recognition of the United States by the civilized nations as one of the great powers.
     McKinley was a faithful leader, a well-balanced man, with a substantiality and solidarity that is rarely found in political circles. His head was large and remarkably high in its superior region, which was exemplified in his whole life on his dying bed.
     His forehead is high and broad, which has given to him considerateness, thoughtfulness, intuitional power, and analytical insight. Intellectual work was a pleasure to him, and so thorough was he that even in his early law labors he displayed special finesse and genius in looking all round a subject.
     We cannot do justice to so large a subject in so small a space, but will conclude with a quotation from the Rev. Thomas Coultas, who in an eloquent address on the martyred President said, “We may not comprehend why the wrath of man was allowed to commit the murder, but it may be that his life needed the Calvary as an exponent of the crystallization of the largest views of the American people.”