Our Lamented President
The whole Nation is in deep mourning
and humiliation. Not only our own people, but every civilized country
on the globe mourns with us, and has paid its tribute of respect,
not alone to our departed President, but to a man who represented
the highest type of American citizenship, and who so fitly illustrated
in his career the possibilities open to aspiring manhood is [sic]
this great Republic. From press and pulpit and platform everywhere
have come most eloquent tributes to his memory, in recognition of
his services as a soldier, as a statesman, and as a Christian gentleman
of the truest and noblest type; but above all he has endeared himself
to the American people by his chivalrous and loving devotion to
the invalid wife now so sorely stricken. It was a cruel blow that
struck him down, and a more causeless one could not be conceived.
A more dastardly deed can not be found in the pages of history.
But it has awakened the American people to a sense of a serious
menace to our peace and safety. We have too long harbored the vile
brood to which this assassin belonged. There has been too much liberty
of speech and of action. Every patriotic citizen must feel that
he is in personal danger, when such crimes and the teachings that
lead to them are possible in this, the most peaceful, prosperous
and happy country in the world, the country of the open door. The
awakening has come! The time for action to wipe out this foul blot
on our Nation’s honor is at hand!
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