| Publication information |
|
Source: Tuftonian Source type: magazine Document type: public address Document title: “William M’Kinley” Author(s): Shipman, William R. Date of publication: October 1901 Volume number: 27 Issue number: 1 Pagination: 5-6 |
| Citation |
| Shipman, William R. “William M’Kinley.” Tuftonian Oct. 1901 v27n1: pp. 5-6. |
| Transcription |
| full text |
| Keywords |
| William R. Shipman (public addresses); William McKinley (memorial addresses); William McKinley; William McKinley (death: personal response). |
| Named persons |
| James A. Garfield; Abraham Lincoln; William McKinley [in notes]; William R. Shipman [in notes]. |
| Notes |
| “This address was delivered by Dr. Shipman at the memorial service held in Goddard Chapel, September 19, 1901, in honor of the late President McKinley” (p. 5). |
| Document |
William M’Kinley
It is the most impressive day in
the history of our country. More nearly than ever before we are “of one heart
and one mind.” And this unity of spirit, this bond of peace, is plainly now,
as we do not always see it must be, only through what is deepest and best in
our nature.
Our universal tribute is to the man, whose manliness
has been unchanged by conditions that made him conspicuous not merely before
his countrymen but before the world. A man whose life, in the widest range of
condition and service, was simple, consistent, sincere. No man’s life was ever
more fully revealed, or showed more honorably in the full revelation. No life
more perfectly fulfilled the duties of those relations which bind us in homes,
in neighborhoods, in wider communities. His life was sound and pure in all that
gives stability and honor to states.
It is a day of profound thankfulness that our
great country is united in giving honor to manly worth. No mere soldier, no
mere ruler could have won this heartfelt, tender regard. And it is a most fortunate
time in our national development that nothing stands in the way of this demonstration
of respect and affection. When Lincoln died in office we were still rent in
twain by civil war. When Garfield died, partisan feeling was [5][6]
threatening the public safety. Today we are one country, a united people; we
have no apprehensions about the succession of men or measures. This unity and
security we owe, in his full degree, to the president whom we now honor at the
close of his long period of public service.
Shall we say anything, at such a time, of the
manner of his taking off? Only that its pathos touches us most deeply and should
bring forth what is best in our hearts. Who can compare the life of a man, a
nation, a world, a universe! This man, when he saw the end of earth was near,
could say, as in vision of eternal truth, “It is God’s way.” The crowning utterances
of a Christian life. According to the measure of our own faith, may we be able
to speak his words.