A Brief Outline of McKinley’s Career [excerpt]

     As a statesman, McKinley grew greatly in stature during his Presidency. The possession of great power and the bearing of vast responsibilities were sure to broaden a mind like his. He was an intense worker and a close student to the end. The most statesmanlike speech he ever made was his last. The whole of civilization listened to what proved to be his dying message to his countrymen and to the world:

     The period for exclusiveness is past. The expansion of our trade and commerce is the pressing problem. Commercial wars are unprofitable. A policy of good will and friendly trade relations will prevent reprisals. Reciprocity treaties are in harmony with the spirit of the times; measures of retaliation are not.
     Let us ever remember that our interest is in concord and not conflict, and that our real eminence rests in the victories of peace, not those of war. We hope that all who are represented here may be moved to higher and nobler effort for their own and the world’s good, and that out of this city may come, not only greater commerce and trade for us all, but, more essential than these, relations of mutual respect, confidence, and friendship which will deepen and endure. Our earnest prayer is that God will graciously vouchsafe prosperity, happiness, and peace to all our neighbors, and like blessings to all people and powers of the earth.

     Never was there a more pitiful tragedy, a more shocking and useless crime, than the murder of this noble and high minded man. It was a crushing sorrow to those about him, a cruel blow to the nation, a loss to the world. Never was a death more widely and sincerely lamented. On that solemn Thursday of mourning, flags were half masted and minute guns sounded all over the globe, and probably the most thronged of all the services held in his honor was that in London’s ancient cathedral of St. Paul, nearly four thousand miles from the spot where his body was being laid to rest among his own people.