| Publication information |
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Source: Milwaukee Sentinel Source type: newspaper Document type: poem Document title: “In Memoriam” Author(s): Blink, Tom City of publication: Milwaukee, Wisconsin Date of publication: 14 September 1901 Volume number: none Issue number: 23689 Pagination: 5 |
| Citation |
| Blink, Tom. “In Memoriam.” Milwaukee Sentinel 14 Sept. 1901 n23689: p. 5. |
| Transcription |
| full text |
| Keywords |
| William McKinley (poetry). |
| Named persons |
| William McKinley. |
| Notes |
| It is unclear in the original document if “In Memoriam” is the actual title of the poem or merely a prefacing headline. In the latter case the poem’s title would instead be “William McKinley.” |
| Document |
In Memoriam
William McKinley.
When the dread war trumpet sounded
Nigh forty years ago
He was only a lad, yet he sprang to join
In battle with the foe.
He only did his duty,
Like half a million more,
Yet Union won through duty done,
And the years have healed the sore.When the great, free states united
Spoke with unhindered voice,
He bent his back to the burden
And ruled them as their choice.
He only did his duty,
As others have done before,
Yet the free states stand like rocks in the land
When duty guards the door.When our Leader risked the hatred
Of anarchist bullet or knife,
When he counted that hazard of greater worth
Than recreant, shrinking life,
He only did his duty,
He was only sound to the core;
Yet such as he are the men that we
Must tie to forevermore.He is dead on the field of battle,
And we may not call him Chief,
But he rules in our hearts in glory,
In glory shadowed by grief.
For greater than craft of statesmanship—
Though greatly he played his part—
Is this brotherly word and the kind deed spurred
To its end by the True Man’s heart.