M’Kinley’s Last Speech: “Concord, Not Conflict”

How [“]All the world doth love a lover”
     In kinship of the heart!
Throughout the ages still [must?] hover
     This truth for sorrow’s smart.

For love he battled ’neath the flag;
     As angel to his wife,
The love that knew not how to lag
     Grew richer still thro’ life[.]

Twice he refused the highest gift
     When honor whispered “No.”
And twice the people’s love uplift
     So high that thrones seem low[.]

In love he lived, in love he died[;]
     And from that love hath sprung
The noblest message true and wide
     Of any mortal tongue:

“Who helps another helps himself,
     And so it is ‘Love pays;’
Thus not alone for sordid pelf
     Should nations spend their days.

“The power that smites may smitten be
     Till naught but woe be found.
The power that loves thro’ love shall see
     The truest wealth abound.

“Oh, purblind nations, [‘]Conflict’ cease,
     In ‘Concord’ help each other.
The Sermon on the Mount meant Peace,
     Each nation like a brother.”

They’ve bowed the head, they’ve poured the tear—
     The nations of the earth—
For love hath conquered ev’ry fear,
     To “Concord” given birth.

Eternal “Conflict” seemed to sway
     The powers of the world;
The well-belov’d, just passed away,
     It’s battle flag hath furled.

So, “All the world doth love a lover,”
     For every nation weeps.
See love its potency discover
     While our true lover sleeps.

     September 19, 1901.