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By jieriiiissioii of 
 
 Courtney Studio 
 
The Life of 
 
 William McKinley 
 
 Twenty-fifth President 
 of the 
 
 United States 
 
 By 
 Jane Elliott Snow 
 
 Author of "Women of Tennyson" 
 and " Coates Family History " 
 
 Clevelan d 
 
 The Gardner Printing Company 
 
 8t;r imtirrial PrrsB 
 
 1908 
 
This edition is limited 
 This book " ^o. 
 
 /• 
 
 [lIBR'^RY of CONGRESS 
 
 Two Ooi);es Received 
 
 i DEC 12 
 
 Copy runt tntry ^ 
 
 COi 
 
 J 
 
 y 
 
 Copyright by 
 
 Jane Elliott Snow 
 
 1908 
 
 * • I 
 
To Miss Annie C. Qranger 
 
 of the Cleveland Public Library^, whose helpful 
 suggestions aided me in my work, this little 
 volume is affectionately inscribed. 
 
 The Author 
 
Contents 
 
 Chapter Page 
 
 I A Retrospect 13 
 
 II Ancestry of William McKinley . . 15 
 
 III Birth and Parentage . . . . 19 
 
 IV Boyhood 22 
 
 V School Life 27 
 
 VI Soldier Life 33 
 
 VII Choosing a Profession .... 38 
 
 VIII Political Principles 43 
 
 IX Marriage — Domestic Life ... 46 
 
 X Member of Congress .... 50 
 
 XI Governor of Ohio 53 
 
 XII President of the United States . . . 56 1^ 
 
 XIII President's Day 65 
 
 XIV A Nation's Loss 69 
 
 XV Obsequies 7Z 
 
 XVI Extracts from Public Speeches . . 79 
 
 XVII Opinions of Noted Men .... 89 
 
 Favorite Hymns 91 
 
 In Memoriam 96 
 
Preface 
 
 My excuse for placing this brief biography 
 of the late President McKinley before the 
 public is that there is a demand for just such 
 a work. 
 
 While there are several extended biogra- 
 phies and a multitude of articles to which 
 students can refer, the need of a brief account 
 adapted to youth, and suitable for school 
 work in preparation for McKinley Day exer- 
 cises, still exists; so I have endeavored to 
 relate the main facts in the life of William 
 McKinley, and have selected a few incidents 
 in his life, hoping that they may prove an 
 inspiration to many a boy to emulate that 
 high and noble example. 
 
 J. E. S. 
 
Books Consulted 
 
 "Life of William McKinley," by Robert P. Porter. 
 
 "Life of William McKinley," A. K. McClure and Chas. 
 Morris, LL.D. 
 
 "William McKinley," J. A. Shawan. 
 
 Munsey's Magazine, November 1901. 
 
 Memorial Address, John Hay. 
 
 This book has the approval of the following Cleveland 
 people : 
 
 Chas. Orr, Director of Schools. 
 
 William Richardson, A.M., Ph. D. 
 
 Rev. John Fisher, Superintendent of Children's Industrial 
 School and Home. 
 
 Mrs. Elroy M. Avery, Editor National Magazine, D. A. R. 
 
 Sarah K. Bolton, author of many books. 
 
 Mary S. Bradford, patron of Art and Letters. 
 
 A. E. Hyre, Secretary Cleveland Chamber of Industry. 
 
 The two McKinley sisters, Mrs. A. R. Duncan and Helen 
 McKinley, also a niece, Mrs. Chas. R. Miller. 
 
\A/^illiam McKinley 
 
 (Jan. 29, 1843 — Sept. 14, 1901) 
 
 He wore no formidable panoply. 
 
 His shield was faith; his breast-plate righteousness. 
 
 The brotherhood of man did he confess 
 By love that thinks no evil — charity. 
 This quality confers supremacy. 
 
 In fortitude, in gentle manliness, 
 
 He had been great e'en were his station less; 
 And yet his outstretched hand met perfidy. 
 
 Alas, O Land of Liberty for thee 
 
 When dastards seek for victims such as he. 
 But say not he is dead ; His spirit passed 
 Into a heritage of rest; at last 
 
 This boon was gained for which our chieftain sighed. 
 
 He is immortal. Say not that he died. 
 
 — Mary E. M. Richardson. 
 
CHAPTER I 
 A Retrospect 
 
 Late in the afternoon of September 6, 190 1, 
 L wave of sorrow swept over this country so 
 ntense that words fail to describe its effect 
 ipon the people. This was caused by the 
 eport wired far and near that President 
 VlcKinley, while holding a reception in the 
 remple of Music on the grounds of the Pan- 
 \.merican Exposition, at Buffalo, New York, 
 lad received from the hands of an assassin 
 L wound which it was feared would prove 
 nortal. 
 
 " Alas for our country, if these things must 
 ►e ! " was the agonized cry that went up from 
 housands of loyal patriotic hearts. 
 
 Within the lifetime of multitudes of people 
 hen living, two Presidents, Abraham Lin- 
 oln and James A. Garfield, had fallen by 
 he hands of assassins. 
 
 And now must the third, one to whom the 
 yes of the Nation were then devotedly 
 urned, meet with the same cruel fate? 
 
 When Abraham Lincoln was stricken 
 
14 Life of William McKinley 
 
 down, the Nation had just emerged from a 
 civil war of four years' duration. The pas- 
 sions engendered by that long struggle had 
 scarcely time to abate. 
 
 James A. Garfield came to the presidency 
 amid the throes of bitter partisan strife. 
 Either of these conditions might lead think- 
 ing people to fear some dreadful tragedy at 
 the hands of a misguided, brutal avenger. 
 
 But at no time in the history of the country 
 did the " dove of peace " seem to hover nearer 
 to the earth than during the summer when 
 the Pan-American Exposition was in prog- 
 ress, and when everything connected with it 
 breathed harmony and joy. 
 
 No man ever sat in a high place who was 
 of a more kindly nature or freer from enmity 
 of his fellow men than William McKinley. 
 
 Only the day before he received his death 
 wound he had commanded the attention and 
 respect of the whole world by delivering an 
 address in favor of viniversal peace and 
 harmony. 
 
 His whole life was a benediction — a 
 blessing. 
 
CHAPTER II 
 Ancestry of William McKinley 
 
 The question of ancestry does not occupy 
 a very large place in the minds of many 
 people. They are far more interested in 
 what a man is today than in what his father 
 DT his grandfather was. And yet, oft times, 
 if these forebears had not been worthy their 
 :hildren would not have become either great 
 3r good. 
 
 The family of William McKinley came 
 originally from Scotland. The Scotch are 
 imong the best people in the world. They 
 possess certain superior traits of character, 
 aich as virtue, honesty, truthfulness; and 
 hese combined with habits of industry make 
 hem always and everywhere good and useful 
 :itizens. 
 
 Some two or three centuries ago there was 
 I great deal of trouble in Scotland, growing 
 )ut of religious questions. In America people 
 lave been so long accustomed to seeing the 
 nembers of different churches and religious 
 
16 Life of William McKinley 
 
 creeds living together in peace and harmony 
 that they Httle reahze what dreadful things 
 once happened among men who differed on 
 these questions. There were wars, imprison- 
 ments, burnings at the stake, and beheadings 
 were not uncommon. 
 
 These were the conditions in Scotland at 
 the time of which I write. 
 
 The fact, perhaps, that the Scotch were a 
 people of strong character, ready to fight and 
 even to die for their religious faith, greatly 
 aggravated their troubles, so that the coun- 
 try became a very unsafe place in which 
 to live. 
 
 As a result many people left Scotland, pre- 
 ferring exile and peace in a foreign land to 
 war with all its attendant evils at home. 
 
 Ireland then afforded a safe refuge for 
 many families, among them being one named 
 McKinley. 
 
 In the Emerald Isle the McKinleys lived 
 for many years. Here children lived to be- 
 come men and women, and here some of 
 them grew old and died. 
 
 About the middle of the eighteenth cen- 
 
Life of William McKinley 17 
 
 tury many stories reached Ireland of the 
 prosperity of the British colonies in the New 
 World, and many people sailed away to find 
 homes in that far-away land. Among these 
 emigrants were two brothers named James 
 and William McKinley. William settled in 
 the South, and James in the North — in York 
 county, Pennsylvania. 
 
 A son of James named David fought under 
 Washington in the war of the Revolution. 
 David in turn had a son named James who 
 was a soldier in the war of 1812, and also in 
 the Indian wars which came a few years 
 later. 
 
 He served under General Harrison and 
 fought at the battle of Tippecanoe. 
 
 As this last named James was the grand- 
 father of the late President William Mc- 
 Kinley, it will readily be seen that he was of 
 patriotic ancestry, and doubtless the mantle 
 of those ancestors fell upon his shoulders and 
 helped in many ways to make him the noble 
 citizen that he became. 
 
 It was while marching with General Har- 
 rison to and fro through Ohio that James 
 
18 jjife of William McKinley 
 
 McKinley first realized the great possibilities 
 of that state as a future home. Thus it 
 came about that he settled in Crawford 
 county, and his descendants found homes 
 in that vicinity. 
 
CHAPTER III 
 Birth and Parentage 
 
 On the 29th day of January, 1843, i^ ^ 
 plain, old-fashioned frame house in Niles, 
 Ohio, a little boy who was destined for a 
 great career was given to his home and 
 country. 
 
 This little boy was named after his father, 
 and until the close of the Civil war, when he 
 was brevetted Major by President Lincoln, 
 was known as William McKinley, Jr. 
 
 His father was the eldest son of James 
 McKinley, last mentioned in the preceding 
 chapter. He was a pioneer in the iron indus- 
 try of Ohio, and built about thirty foundries 
 in the eastern counties of that state. This 
 fact possibly had something to do with the 
 son's political policy in after life. 
 
 The mother, Nancy Allison, was a farmer's 
 daughter, who, like Priscilla, of whom Long- 
 fellow sang, made the 
 
 " Humble house and modest apparel of homespun 
 Beautiful with her beauty, 
 And rich with the wealth of her being." 
 
20 Life of William McKinley 
 
 To this woman was given a long life. And 
 she filled that life with deeds of love and 
 usefulness. Her home and family were the 
 objects of her dearest affection and untiring 
 devotion. 
 
 Both parents were frugal and industrious, 
 and their home was always one of comfort, 
 if not of luxury. Their children, too, were 
 early trained to habits of thrift and industry. 
 They were also taught to prize truth and 
 honor above all things else. 
 
 William McKinley was one of a large 
 family. There were six brothers and sisters 
 older than he, all living at the time of his 
 birth. Their names were as follows: David, 
 Anna, James, Mary, Helen, and Sarah. There 
 were also two younger: Abba Celia and 
 Abner. But two of these are now living, 
 Helen and Sarah. Sarah is Mrs. A. J. Dun- 
 can of Cleveland, Ohio, and her sister Helen, 
 who is unmarried, lives with her. 
 
 When people become famous, old neigh- 
 bors and friends are wont to relate remark- 
 able incidents in connection with their in- 
 fancy and childhood. 
 
Life of William, McKinley 21 
 
 The newspapers recently gave account of 
 one woman who said she rocked President 
 McKinley when in the cradle, and that even 
 then he was such a "striking'' child that she 
 prophesied he would live to be President. 
 But the same has been said of hundreds of 
 bright boys, which only goes to show the 
 grand possibilities within the reach of every 
 bright American youth. 
 
CHAPTER IV 
 Boyhood 
 
 " A boy is a boy and a boy let him be, 
 For the season of boyhood 's a span ; 
 And the heart that now beats with gladness and glee 
 Soon will ache with the cares of a man." 
 
 In fancy we can picture the boyhood of 
 WilHam McKinley not different, perhaps, 
 from that of other boys. It is said that he 
 was fond of all healthful outdoor sports and 
 games; and it may be presumed that he 
 played ball, rolled marbles, and tried his skill 
 at flying kites. 
 
 In winter when the streams and ponds 
 were frozen over, skating was a favorite pas- 
 time. Skates were a luxury in those days, 
 and William McKinley's first pair were 
 home-made; that is, they were made by a 
 blacksmith who lived near by. These skates 
 were shared by himself and two of his 
 schoolmates, and each took his turn skating 
 on them. 
 
 When spring came, the boys would go 
 fishing. The two would often get weary 
 
Life of William McKinley 23 
 
 waiting for a bite and throw down their Hnes 
 and rods and jump into the water for a bath 
 or swim. But WilHam, more patient than 
 they, sat still until he was rewarded with a 
 good string of fish to carry home. 
 
 At this time his personal appearance is 
 described by an old resident at Niles as fol- 
 lows : '' He was black-haired, grave-faced, 
 but robust, and a manly little chap." 
 
 Though fond of sport he was no idler in 
 work, and no dullard at books. His school 
 work even when a boy was so excellent that 
 great things were prophesied of him. 
 
 William was the one usually called upon 
 to do chores about the house, or to run 
 errands, ''because," said his mother, "he 
 seemed always so pleased to help me." 
 
 He seems to have had a gift for making 
 friends even when a boy, for he was a general 
 favorite with his schoolmates. If he excelled 
 them in his studies, there was more of re- 
 joicing than envy in their feelings toward 
 him. 
 
 This gift for making friends must have 
 grown with his years and strengthened with 
 
24 i£/e o/ William McKinley 
 
 his strength, for no man ever had stronger 
 personal friends than President McKinley. 
 One striking instance of this was the loyalty 
 and devotion of the Hon. Marcus A. Hanna, 
 v\^ho in times of ill fortune, as well as good 
 fortune, was ever his fast friend. 
 
 Even President McKinley's political op- 
 ponents liked him personally. 
 
 Everything points to the fact that the boy 
 life of William McKinley, Jr., was a happy 
 one. It was 
 
 " With books, or work, or healthful play 
 His first years were passed, 
 And thus he gave for every day 
 A good account at last." 
 
 The author recently interviewed Mrs. 
 Duncan in regard to her mother's ways of 
 managing her family. Mrs. Duncan says: 
 
 " I never knew my mother to speak a cross 
 word, but she had a way of speaking so that 
 the children knew they must mind. She 
 ruled by love and not by fear. 
 
 " My mother was a devout woman, and if 
 anything troubled her she took it to the Lord 
 in prayer. 
 
Life of William, McKinley 25 
 
 '* She believed in regular hours for the 
 children, and until they were eight or ten 
 years old they went to bed by seven o'clock 
 in the evening. 
 
 "The children also had regular hours for 
 study through their school years. One hour 
 in the morning was usually devoted to study, 
 besides some time each evening. 
 
 '' We also had a very pretty custom which 
 continued for many years, and that was, each 
 evening we all gathered in the family sitting- 
 room and spent one hour reading aloud from 
 some good book. We each took our turn 
 reading aloud. 
 
 " Every child was taught some useful work. 
 It was my duty after each meal to carry the 
 silver from the dining-room table to the 
 kitchen. We never kept more than one ser- 
 vant, and there was a large family and much 
 to do. On Saturday some extra work was 
 planned for each of us." 
 
 "What were the duties of your brother 
 William on those days?" I asked. 
 
 " He usually would cut or saw wood, pre- 
 pare kindlings for the coming week, or do 
 
26 Life of William McKinley 
 
 anything in the way of Hght work that was 
 needed. 
 
 '' My brother was always thoughtful for 
 his mother and sisters. When a Httle boy he 
 was wilHng to help them, and through life 
 he studied their comfort and happiness." 
 
CHAPTER V 
 School Life 
 
 After passing through the grammar and 
 high schools at Niles, WilHam McKinley 
 moved with his parents to Poland, a town a 
 few miles distant, where there was an acad- 
 emy, which he at once entered. 
 
 He was a hard student, with a natural 
 taste for argument and oratory, and he 
 always took advantage of the literary clubs 
 where he lived. 
 
 He was at one time president of the 
 Edward Everett Society, a literary club at 
 Poland. 
 
 The part he took in the debates at these 
 clubs helped him in after life to discuss 
 readily, and without notes, questions of 
 national importance, before large public 
 audiences. 
 
 So thorough was he in his studies that at 
 the age of sixteen he was able to enter, as 
 junior, Allegheny College, Meadville, Penn- 
 sylvania, two years of college work having 
 
28 lAfe of William McKinley 
 
 been completed in the high school and 
 academy. 
 
 Poor health soon obliged him to abandon 
 his studies and to return home. 
 
 The reader can possibly imagine the 
 youthful William spending the few weeks 
 of his convalescence in rambles about his 
 native town, and in visits to his cousins and 
 near friends. They can readily imagine, too, 
 that he was everywhere welcome because he 
 was so cheerful, genial and intelligent. 
 
 The McKinley families were very fond of 
 one another. They delighted in being to- 
 gether, and such days as Thanksgiving, 
 Christmas and other special anniversaries 
 were spent by them all in some one of their 
 homes. Such customs are indeed beautiful, 
 and can but exert a helpful influence over 
 those who participate in them. 
 
 On regaining his health William McKinley 
 looked about for some occupation that would 
 enable him to be at least self-supporting. 
 
 School teaching in those days was a favor- 
 ite pursuit of young men of education and 
 push, and he was soon thus employed. 
 
Life of William McKinley 29 
 
 His first school was near Poland, with a 
 salary of twenty-five dollars per month, and 
 he boarded round in the families of his 
 pupils. 
 
 He was thus occupied when Fort Sumter 
 was fired upon and Lincoln issued his first 
 call for volunteers. 
 
 From what has been said of William Mc- 
 Kinley's school life it will be seen that he 
 diligently improved every opportunity for 
 an education. His home life was a great 
 help to him in this respect. His family be- 
 lieved in education, and the parents moved 
 to Poland that all the children might have 
 the superior advantages there offered them. 
 
 William McKinley, Sr., was a broad- 
 minded, well-read man, and he always kept 
 his family well supplied with good books and 
 magazines. As these accumulated and were 
 read they were stored in the garret, and as 
 a result the garret became a favorite resort 
 for the youthful William, especially on the 
 eve of some debate in which he was to take 
 part. 
 
 It was no uncommon occurrence for the 
 
30 lAfe of William McKinley 
 
 children to inquire on their return from 
 school, ''Where is William?" and for their 
 mother to reply, " He is up in the garret, I 
 think, looking over those old books; you 
 know he takes part in the debate tomorrow." 
 His father's good memory was often a great 
 help in his lyceum work, for he could tell 
 him just to what book or magazine to refer 
 for a certain subject. 
 
 As William McKinley, Jr., grew older he 
 became more and more impressed with the 
 importance of an education, and no man per- 
 haps ever lived who prized more highly our 
 public school system than he. 
 
 In one of his addresses given later in life 
 he said that the open schoolhouse, free to all, 
 was better than garrisons and guns, and 
 fleets and forts. 
 
 He also said that no child should feel bad 
 if he is not so well clad as his more fortunate 
 schoolmates. That the poor and shabbily 
 dressed boy with clean face and clear head 
 who takes advantage of the public schools 
 will win his way against all opposition; that 
 what one gains with his conscience, and brain 
 
Life of William McKinley 31 
 
 and mind, no one can take from him; that 
 the time to acquire the rudiments of an edu- 
 cation is when one is young; that no man 
 learns to spell after he is forty; and that only 
 a limited few learn to read and write after 
 that age; that an education is more highly 
 to be prized than earthly crowns, or riches 
 quickly won by some fortunate speculation. 
 
 When William McKinley was ten years 
 old he united with the Methodist Episco- 
 pal Church, and he retained his membership 
 in that church through life. In his youth he 
 was a regular attendant at Sunday-school 
 and Bible classes. Indeed, he was a great 
 Bible student always, and it was noticeable 
 that no political campaign was ever so ab- 
 sorbing nor any cares of state so heavy as 
 to make him forget to go to church when the 
 proper time came. 
 
 His example in this respect was remark- 
 able. He made no display about going to 
 church; he simply went. His example was 
 felt for good by his boyhood friends, by his 
 political friends, by his family, and by all his 
 immediate associates. His exemplary life. 
 
^2 ijife of William McKinley 
 
 and his beautiful Christian death, have with- 
 out question done more to place the whole 
 Christian church in a favorable light than 
 scores of most able sermons could possi- 
 bly do. 
 
CHAPTER VI 
 Soldier Life 
 
 William McKinley enlisted in June, 1861, 
 in the Twenty-third regiment of Ohio Vol- 
 unteers for the three-years' service. He was 
 mustered in by General Fremont, who was 
 favorably impressed with the young man's 
 appearance, and made him very happy by 
 personal examination and speaking to him 
 in a kindly, encouraging way. 
 
 He enlisted as a private soldier and so 
 served for ten months. During these months, 
 he, with his fellow soldiers, experienced some 
 fighting and suffered great hardships. The 
 field of their operations was the mountain 
 regions of eastern Kentucky and western 
 V irginia. They were exposed for weeks to 
 almost incessant rains and often suffered for 
 want of food. 
 
 Of William McKinley's life as a soldier, 
 Ex-President Hayes once said: "When bat- 
 tles were to be fought or service was to be 
 
34 Life of William McKinley 
 
 performed in warlike things, he always took 
 his place. The night was never too dark; 
 the weather never too cold; there was no 
 sleet or storm or hail or snow or rain that 
 was in the way of his prompt and efficient 
 performance of every duty." 
 
 On the 19th of April, 1862, he was ap- 
 pointed commissary sergeant, and the fol- 
 lowing September, for thoughtful and kindly 
 action in the battle of Antietam, he was pro- 
 moted to the rank of first lieutenant. This 
 incident is described by General J. L. Bots- 
 ford, an eye witness, as follows: 
 
 " It was nearly dark when we heard tre- 
 mendous cheering from the left of our regi- 
 ment. As we had been having heavy fighting 
 up to this time, our division commander, 
 General Seaman, sent me to find out the 
 cause. I very soon learned that the cheering 
 was for McKinley and his hot cofTee. You 
 can readily imagine the rousing welcome he 
 received from both officers and men. 
 
 " When you consider the fact of his leaving 
 his post of security and driving into the 
 midst of a bloody battle with a team of mules, 
 
Life of William McKinley 35 
 
 it needs no words of mine to show the char- 
 acter and determination of McKinley, a boy 
 not twenty years of age. McKinley loaded 
 two wagons with supplies, but the mules of 
 one wagon were disabled. He was ordered 
 back again and again, but he pushed right 
 on." 
 
 Ex-President Hayes also said: ''That bat- 
 tle (Antietam) began at daylight. Before 
 daylight men were in the ranks preparing 
 for it. Without breakfast, without coffee, 
 they went into the fight, which continued 
 until after the sun had set. Early in the 
 afternoon, naturally enough, with the exer- 
 tion required of the men, they were famished 
 and thirsty and to some extent broken in 
 spirit. The commissary department of that 
 brigade was under Sergeant McKinley's 
 administration and personal supervision. 
 From his hands every man in the regiment 
 was served with hot coffee and warm meats, 
 a thing that had never occurred under similar 
 circumstances in any other army in the 
 world. He passed under fire and delivered 
 with his own hands these things so essential 
 
^6 Life of William McKinley 
 
 for the men whom he was seeking to 
 relieve." 
 
 The years have but intensified the grati- 
 tude of the people for this act, and a monu- 
 ment in honor of it has been placed on the 
 battle-ground of Antietam. 
 
 At the time of the defeat at Kernstown 
 he wished to spare the feelings of an aged 
 Quaker lady, who stood weeping at her gate 
 in Winchester, as the Union soldiers passed 
 in hasty retreat through the town. It was 
 evident that her grief was for them, yet she 
 did not dare to manifest it too plainly on 
 account of those about her. The young 
 soldier at once divined the situation and rein- 
 ing his horse near her said in a low voice: 
 '' Don't worry, my dear madam, we are not 
 hurt so much as it seems, and we shall be 
 back here again in a few days." 
 
 William McKinley continued in active ser- 
 vice throughout the war; he was in more 
 than thirty battles and skirmishes, and was 
 on the staffs of Generals Hayes, Hancock, 
 Cook and Carroll, respectively. For gallant 
 conduct at the battle of Kernstown, July 24, 
 
JLife of William McKinley 37 
 
 1864, he was promoted to the rank of captain, 
 and at the close of the war was, as already 
 stated, appointed brevet major by President 
 Lincoln. 
 
 The commission read: "For gallant and 
 meritorious services at the battles of Ope- 
 quam. Cedar Creek, and Fisher's Hill. — A. 
 Lincoln." 
 
CHAPTER VII 
 Choosing a Profession 
 
 " Let a man then know his own worth." 
 
 — Emerson. 
 
 When the war closed, Major McKinley 
 was but twenty-two years old. He had given 
 four of the best years of his life to the service 
 of his country and had made a brilliant 
 record as a patriot and soldier. But peace 
 had come and it was now necessary for him 
 to prepare himself for some useful vocation 
 whereby he could gain a livelihood. 
 
 He chose the profession of law, and en- 
 tered as student the office of Judge Chas. E. 
 Glidden, of Trumbull county, where he re- 
 mained two vears. Thence he went to the 
 law school at Albany, New York, from which 
 he graduated in 1867. 
 
 In his legal studies, as w^ell as those in the 
 high school and college of an earlier day, he 
 was greatly aided by his sister Anna, who 
 was for many years a teacher. On this ac- 
 count, perhaps, she felt more keenly the 
 
Life of William McKinley 39 
 
 importance of an education than the other 
 members of the family. Anna encouraged 
 him in every way to continue his studies 
 until success crowned his efforts. 
 
 His devoted sister ever retained a warm 
 place in his heart. Indeed it was owing to 
 the fact of her teaching in the public schools 
 of Canton, Ohio, that he chose that city as 
 a field for the practice of his profession. 
 
 From this time Canton was his home until 
 his death. His official residence in Wash- 
 ington was only a passing incident in his life. 
 
 With William McKinley's natural taste 
 for public speaking he easily drifted into 
 politics. 
 
 His first public speech was at New Berlin, 
 Ohio. He was then twenty-four years old. 
 His rostrum was a dry-goods box, and it 
 stood near the steps of a tavern. 
 
 Michael Bitzer, chairman of the meeting, 
 thus described the speaker many years later: 
 
 " For nearly an hour he talked as never a 
 young man in Stark county had talked be- 
 fore. His strong personality and his kindly 
 manner were noticed by the people of New 
 
40 Life of William McKinley 
 
 Berlin. His hearty hand-shake, his pleasant 
 smile, were in evidence and only waiting for 
 opportunity and strength of purpose to 
 develop them/' 
 
 This was in 1867, and two years later he 
 had hecome well known as a rising young 
 lawyer and speaker of thoughtful force. 
 
 In 1869 he was elected to the office of dis- 
 trict prosecuting attorney of Stark county, 
 which he held for two years. This was not 
 a lucrative position, but it helped him in his 
 legal profession and prepared the way for 
 something better. 
 
 During the years immediately following 
 he applied himself diligently to his profes- 
 sion. It was during these years, too, that 
 his political principles became well defined. 
 
 Though firm in his own convictions as to 
 what was right, he was ever thoughtful for 
 the feelings of his political opponents, as the 
 following will show. 
 
 Upon one occasion he was to address a 
 political meeting in the town of K — , in 
 N(^rthern Ohio. 
 
 A gentleman of the opposite party who 
 
Life of waiiam McKinley 41 
 
 was prominent in the town, and who thought 
 that Mr. McKinley could speak well on only 
 one subject, the tariff, proposed that instead 
 of a speech there should be a joint debate 
 between himself and the gifted orator on the 
 Republican side. To this the management 
 consented provided Mr. McKinley would 
 have no objections. On the latter's arrival 
 he found a full house, and much enthusiasm 
 over his presence. When informed of the 
 proposition for a debate he was not at all 
 disconcerted, but replied in his happiest man- 
 ner: "Certainly, certainly, only let the gen- 
 tleman speak first, and I will follow." 
 
 The '' gentleman " spoke first and at great 
 length, and Mr. McKinley listened atten- 
 tively through it all. At the close he was at 
 once introduced to the audience, which 
 greeted him with a succession of rousing 
 cheers. He first paid the speaker a compli- 
 ment for the ability with which he presented 
 his arguments, and then proceeded to answer 
 them one by one in such a masterly manner 
 that even his political opponents were de- 
 lighted. 
 
42 lAfe of William McKinley 
 
 It is needless to add that Mr. McKinley 
 was the hero of the evening, and the "oppo- 
 nents " as well as friends were convinced that 
 he could speak well upon other subjects than 
 the tariff. 
 
CHAPTER VIII 
 Political Principles 
 
 William McKinley believed in protecting 
 American labor. He believed that the more 
 things the people of America could make the 
 better it would be for the country. 
 
 He said that if the people could make 
 everything they need and not buy anything 
 in foreign markets there w^ould be no idle 
 men in the country, and every man would 
 be well paid for his labor. 
 
 Not every one believed as he did, and he 
 delivered a great many speeches and ad- 
 dresses in his endeavor to convince the 
 people that he was right. 
 
 He made a thorough study of labor condi- 
 tions in this country and in other countries. 
 He knew just what a man would be paid for 
 doing a piece of work in this country, and 
 what he would be paid for doing the same 
 piece of work in England, or France, or 
 Germany, or Russia. 
 
44 lAfe of William McKinley 
 
 As a result he became the great champion 
 of protection for American industries. 
 
 Partly because he so believed and so 
 taught he was seven times chosen represent- 
 ative in Congress, twice made governor of 
 Ohio, and twice elected president of the 
 United States. 
 
 He believed not only in the protection of 
 American industries, but in sound money as 
 well. In one of his speeches he said: ''My 
 fellow citizens, there is one thing which this 
 country cannot afford to trifle with, and that 
 is its currency, its measure of value, the 
 money which passes among the people in 
 return for their land or for their toil. 
 
 " The money of this country should be as 
 national as its flag, as sacred as the national 
 honor, and as sound as the government itself. 
 
 " That is the kind of money which it is the 
 paramount interest of every citizen of this 
 country, no matter to what political party he 
 may belong, to strive to maintain and con- 
 tinue." 
 
 He believed, too, in the sacredness of the 
 ballot box. The following is what he says 
 
Life of Willium McKinley 45 
 
 of it : '' We cannot afford to break down a 
 single safeguard which has been thrown 
 around the ballot box. Every guaranty must 
 be kept and maintained. Fair-minded people 
 everywhere are interested in honest elec- 
 tions. It is not a partisan measure; it falls 
 alike on all political parties. The law recog- 
 nizes no political creed, and those who exe- 
 cute it should carefully obey its letter and 
 spirit. It protects Democrats and Republi- 
 cans and men of all parties alike.'' 
 
 While William McKinley believed in a 
 protective tariff and championed American 
 industries, he also favored reciprocity — a 
 mutual exchange of commodities between 
 nations. Of this he says: ''We should sell 
 wherever we can, and buy wherever the buy- 
 ing will enlarge our sales and productions 
 and thereby make a greater demand for 
 home labor. 
 
 " Reciprocity treaties are in harmony with 
 the spirit of the times." 
 
 < 
 
CHAPTER IX 
 Marriage — Domestic Life 
 
 On January 25, 1871, William McKinley 
 was united in marriage to Miss Ida M., 
 daughter of James A. Saxton, a man of 
 wealth and prominence in Canton. 
 
 The bride was a lady of rare gifts of mind 
 and heart. She had been educated in the 
 best private schools of the country and had 
 enjoyed the advantages of extensive travel 
 in Europe. 
 
 But even with these advantages, that she 
 might be able to support herself, should 
 occasion require, she entered her father's 
 bank and served for a time as cashier. This 
 position she filled most acceptably. Mean- 
 time she was active in Sunday-school work 
 and in that capacity was able to exercise a 
 lasting influence for good over her pupils. 
 
 It is not always that successful public men 
 have a happy home life, but that of Mr. and 
 Mrs. McKinley was ideal. 
 
 Two children came to bless their home, 
 
lAJe of William McKinley 47 
 
 but only for a short time. This was indeed 
 a great sorrow to them, for both were fond 
 of children, and through their public career 
 it was no uncommon thing for them to stop 
 their carriage to talk with some child in the 
 street, no matter how poorly that child might 
 be clad. 
 
 With the loss of the children came poor 
 health to Mrs. McKinley, and from that time 
 on she was an invalid. How she was cared 
 for by her husband is a story well known to 
 the world. Says one writer : ''The devotion 
 of this man and woman was a theme of com- 
 ment for many years. On the part of Mrs. 
 McKinley there was a constant, tender and 
 adoring love for the man who won such great 
 success. On his part there was a lifetime of 
 unselfish devotion to a gentle, feeble invalid.'' 
 
 In the agony of his death wound his 
 thought was for her. " Be careful about my 
 wife, do not tell her," he said. 
 
 Not only was Mr. McKinley a devoted 
 husband but he was a dutiful son, and the 
 aged mother shared with the wife his tender- 
 est solicitude. 
 
48 Liife of Williafn McKinley 
 
 During the years of his poHtical triumphs 
 it was to the wife and the mother that he 
 first imparted the glad news of his success. 
 And while burdened with the cares of state, 
 President McKinley never forgot the loved 
 ones at home. 
 
 On receiving news of his mother's last ill- 
 ness he repaired at once to her bedside and 
 there remained until all was over. 
 
 In the character of this great man were 
 happily blended the gentler traits with those 
 of strength, firmness and decision. 
 
 The following from a newspaper clipping 
 shows what Mrs. McKinley was in those 
 happy days when her husband was the most 
 distinguished man in the country: 
 
 "She delights to have children call upon 
 her, and takes especial pleasure in placing 
 her arms about them and chatting in a 
 charming, yet natural way. Next to her love 
 for children is her fondness for flowers. Her 
 favorites are pink roses, and it is seldom that 
 she does not have them near her. She has 
 no pets, probably because of her infirmity, 
 and because she has had but few years of real 
 
Life o, William, McKinley 49 
 
 home life. Music delights her, but she does 
 not play, although in her girlhood days she 
 both played and sang. Art and statuary 
 attract her and she has made a good col- 
 lection." 
 
 The last few years of Mrs. McKinley's life 
 were spent crocheting slippers, which she 
 gave to her friends and to hospitals. It was 
 said that more than three thousand pairs of 
 slippers had been made by her to cover the 
 weary feet of unfortunates. 
 
 Mrs. McKinley's remains now rest beside 
 those of her husband, in the family tomb at 
 Canton. 
 
CHAPTER X 
 Member of Congress 
 
 In 1876 Major McKinley was elected mem- 
 ber of the Forty-fifth Congress. The district 
 he represented was composed of Stark and 
 adjoining counties. In that Congress were 
 the following Ohio men who had already 
 gained a national reputation : James A. Gar- 
 field and Thomas Ewing were in the House, 
 and John Sherman and Allen G. Thurman 
 in the Senate. 
 
 Rutherford B. Hayes was President. Such 
 was the stress of the times that this Congress 
 was called in extra session October, 1877. 
 
 The coinage of the silver dollar and tariff 
 legislation were the absorbing problems that 
 were then before the people, and the solution 
 of these problems was among the chief duties 
 of Congress. 
 
 Major McKinley soon made a record on 
 both of these questions. He stood for sound 
 money and protection of American indus- 
 tries. His first speech bearing directly on 
 
lAfe of William, McKinley 51 
 
 the tariff attracted universal attention and 
 marked the beginning of his wonderful pop- 
 ularity as a statesman. With the exception 
 of two years, 1882 and 1883, Major McKinley 
 was in Congress from 1876 to 1890; during 
 these years he took an active part in all the 
 great questions that were before the peo- 
 ple — the tariff, the coinage of silver, the 
 sacredness of the ballot, and other vital 
 questions. 
 
 He served on many important committees. 
 In his first term he was on the committee for 
 the revision of the laws of the United States. 
 
 In the second term he was placed on a 
 committee which had to consider matters 
 relating to the federal courts of justice. 
 
 In 1880 he succeeded James A. Garfield as 
 member of the Committee on Ways and 
 Means. This position he held until the close 
 of his congressional career. 
 
 While chairman of this committee he gave 
 to the Nation what is known as the McKinley 
 Tariff Bill. Of this important work he says: 
 '' I was chairman of the committee and per- 
 formed my duties as best I could. Some of 
 
52 liife of William McKinley 
 
 the strongest men in Congress were on the 
 committee, and the eight of us heard every- 
 body, considered everything, and made up 
 the best tariff law we knew how to frame." 
 
 Other important committees on which he 
 served were, one to inspect the United States 
 Mihtary Academy, and one to conduct the 
 Garfield memorial service. Of the latter he 
 was chairman. 
 
 James G. Blaine in his ''Twenty Years in 
 Congress '' says : " While in Congress, Mc- 
 Kinley was a thorough student of industrial 
 questions, and soon became known as one of 
 the ablest defenders of the doctrine of pro- 
 tection." He also says: "He looked well to 
 the interests of the people whom he repre- 
 sented." 
 
CHAPTER XI 
 Governor of Ohio 
 
 From the halls of Congress Major Mc- 
 Kinley was soon to be called to the office of 
 chief magistrate of the state of Ohio. He 
 was elected to that position in the fall of 
 189 1, and after serving one term was re- 
 elected in 1893. 
 
 The four years during which he was Gov- 
 ernor of Ohio were years of great financial 
 depression and labor troubles throughout 
 the country. Fifteen times it became neces- 
 sary to call out the state troops to preserve 
 order. But it was noticeable through this 
 trying period that while order was main- 
 tained and property protected, no harsh 
 measures were used toward either party to 
 the disputes. These happy results were 
 largely due to the management of Governor 
 McKinley. He was impartial in his admin- 
 istration, and to the extent of his authority 
 carefully guarded the interests of all classes 
 of the people. 
 
54 Life of William McKinley 
 
 He was interested in the management of 
 all public institutions, such as schools and 
 hospitals for the deaf and dumb, feeble- 
 minded, and insane, also the penal and re- 
 formatory institutions. These he visited in 
 person and did what he could to improve 
 their condition. 
 
 He urged, upon the Legislature the impor- 
 tance of tax reform, of good roads, of im- 
 proving the canal system, and other matters 
 of public interest. 
 
 He favored the eight-hour labor S3^stem, 
 and arbitration as a means of settling dis- 
 putes between the employers and the em- 
 ployed, and it was largely due to him that 
 the State Board of Arbitration was estab- 
 lished in Ohio. 
 
 Governor McKinley was instrumental in 
 having placed upon the statute books of 
 Ohio some excellent laws relating to acci- 
 dents and injuries occurring to persons em- 
 ployed in dangerous situations. 
 
 If as a soldier William McKinley w^as 
 thoughtful for his fellow soldiers at An- 
 tietam, as Governor of Ohio he was equally 
 
lAfe o/ William McKinley 55 
 
 thoughtful for the suffering of the citizens 
 of the state over which he presided. 
 
 At one time there was great destitution 
 among the miners of the Hocking Valley. 
 It was midnight when he received news that 
 many families were in danger of starvation. 
 By sunrise a carload of provisions was on 
 the way to their relief. 
 
 Says Charles Morris, LL. D.: ''A distinc- 
 tive feature of the McKinley administration 
 was the absence of red tape and needless 
 formalities. In his method of transacting 
 business the Governor was concise and cor- 
 rect, and in his intercourse with the people, 
 though dignified, he was always approach 
 able." 
 
CHAPTER XII 
 President of the United States 
 
 The services WilHam McKinley rendered 
 his country while in Congress and as Gov- 
 ernor of Ohio were fully appreciated by the 
 American people, and it seemed fitting in 
 return for these services that they should 
 bestow upon him the greatest honor within 
 their power — that of electing him to the 
 position of chief executive of the Nation. 
 
 In presenting his name for that office at 
 the St. Louis convention, in 1896, Senator 
 Foraker said: " No other name so absolutely 
 commands all hearts; that is because all 
 American people know him, believe in him, 
 love him. They know that he is an American 
 of Americans; they know that he is just and 
 able and brave, and they want him for 
 President." 
 
 The campaign that followed was a most 
 exciting one. The McKinley home became 
 a veritable Mecca for the thousands of en- 
 thusiastic admirers of the future President. 
 
lAfe of William McKinleij 57 
 
 The crowds did not always enter the house, 
 but gathered about it and often overflowed 
 the grounds. 
 
 The lawn was soon denuded of its verdure, 
 while bits of shrubbery and boards from the 
 fence were carried away as souvenirs. A 
 buckeye-tree in the back yard proved a mine 
 of wealth to the relic seekers, and happy was 
 he who could obtain a genuine specimen of 
 its product. 
 
 It was within the period of his first presi- 
 dential campaign that Mr. McKinley made 
 what were called his "porch speeches." They 
 were so named because he uttered them 
 while standing on the porch of his home. 
 Eager throngs listened to those speeches, 
 which were many and varied and included 
 all the great issues that were then before the 
 people. 
 
 A near relative and friend of Mr. Mc- 
 Kinley, who resided at Canton, and who was 
 frequently present at those meetings, says 
 that it was remarkable how long he could 
 hold the attention of his audience without 
 resorting to amusing anecdotes or witty say- 
 
58 z,ife of William McKinley 
 
 ings; that while among his home friends and 
 in private social circles he was always lively 
 and frequently witty, those traits were rarely 
 shown on the public rostrum. 
 
 Possibly the themes he had to deal with 
 had much to do with his manner of present- 
 ing them. They were such as required care- 
 ful thought and logical reasoning to give 
 them force and send them home to the hearts 
 of his hearers. But whatever the cause, his 
 manner of treating prosy themes was both 
 interesting and effective. Nor was his chain 
 of reasoning ever broken by any unusual dis- 
 turbance while speaking. The following in- 
 stance well illustrates this, as also his love 
 and thoughtfulness for children. 
 
 Upon the occasion of a notable gathering 
 at his home and while in the midst of a 
 speech, a little girl from the neighborhood 
 attempted to make her way to the scene of 
 action by climbing the fence. She was caught 
 by her clothing and, unable to extricate her- 
 self, cried for help. No one in the audience 
 paid any attention to her, but as soon as her 
 cries reached the ears of Mr. McKinley he 
 
lAfe of William McKinley 59 
 
 Stopped speaking and went to her rescue. 
 The terrified child was quickly soothed and 
 placed in a seat on the porch near the 
 speaker. The latter at once took up the 
 thread of his discourse where he left off and 
 proceeded as though nothing had happened. 
 
 At the election, November, 1896, over 
 seven million voters testified by their ballots 
 that William McKinley was their choice for 
 President, and on March 4, 1897, he assumed 
 the duties of that exalted office. 
 
 It was a time of great business depression. 
 Factories were closed and thousands of 
 laborers were idle. 
 
 The President at once convened Congress 
 in extra session. This body, acting upon his 
 wise suggestions, passed laws which soon 
 led to more hopeful conditions throughout 
 the country. The wheels of industry were 
 set in motion, commerce revived, and the 
 Nation entered upon a career of prosperity 
 unsurpassed in its previous history. 
 
 Aside from the revival of the great indus- 
 tries the principal events of President Mc- 
 Kinley's first administration were the annex- 
 
60 JLife of William McKinley 
 
 ation of Hawaii, and the Spanish-American 
 war. 
 
 The details of the war will not be given 
 here, but its results led to the supervision of 
 our government over Porto Rico, Cuba, the 
 Ladrones and the Philippines ; and to the 
 annexation or possession of all but Cuba. 
 
 Another excellent result was a more har- 
 monious feeling between the two sections of 
 the countrv, the North and the South. No 
 sooner did the cloud of a foreign war hang 
 over the Nation than all felt that they had 
 but one country, one flag. 
 
 Aside from Abraham Lincoln few Presi- 
 dents have had a more trying administration 
 than William McKinley during his first term. 
 The business depression, the money ques- 
 tion, the Spanish-American war, the Boxer 
 troubles in China, and the adjustment of our 
 island possessions, all gave rise to bitter par- 
 tisan feeling, and required the exercise of 
 great tact and wisdom on the part of the 
 chief executive. 
 
 During these years of heavy official bur- 
 dens he ever continued the same patient, 
 
Life of William McKinley 61 
 
 kiiidly man — sympathetic, obliging, self- 
 sacrificing. 
 
 But while possessed to an eminent degree 
 of these beautiful traits of character, it is 
 noticeable that in all his dealings with for- 
 eign nations he was ever firm in upholding 
 the dignity and honor of the country over 
 \\ hich he presided. 
 
 In the peace negotiations between this 
 country and Spain the tact and wisdom dis- 
 played by the President did much to allay 
 the bitterness between the two countries, 
 and in the settlement of the Boxer troubles 
 in China, respect for this Government was 
 greatly enhanced among the world's powers 
 by the judicious course of President Mc- 
 Kinley. 
 
 Such was the confidence of the people in 
 his administration that his name was the 
 second time presented as candidate for the 
 high office he had so admirably filled. At 
 the Philadelphia convention in June, 1900, 
 amid the greatest enthusiasm he was unani- 
 mously chosen the national standard bearer 
 of his country for another term. 
 
62 Life of William McKinley 
 
 At the election which followed he received 
 over one hundred thousand more votes than 
 were given him four years before. 
 
 When William McKinley took the oath of 
 office for the second time, March 4, 1901, the 
 country was at peace, and the bow of promise 
 gave no indications of future disaster. 
 
 Soon after his second inauguration, in 
 company with his wife and several high offi- 
 cials, the President started on a western 
 tour. But on reaching San Francisco, the 
 serious illness of Mrs. McKinley caused its 
 abandonment and the party returned to 
 Washington by the shortest route. The tour, 
 so far as accomplished, proved one continu- 
 ous ovation for the President. 
 
 In all the large cities and more important 
 towns where he stopped the people turned 
 out en masse and greeted him with the 
 greatest delight and enthusiasm. The 
 speeches he made on these occasions are 
 considered not only valuable as state papers, 
 but as literary productions as well. 
 
 The following interesting incidents are 
 
lAfe of William McKinley 63 
 
 related of William McKinley while Presi- 
 dent: 
 
 At the close of the first presidential inau- 
 guration crowds of people forced their way to 
 the new President to shake hands with him, 
 or to ask some favor of him ; while the crowd, 
 composed mostly of men, surged about him, 
 he saw in the distance an old lady evidently 
 burdened with some weight of sorrow. 
 Waving his hand he said, " Gentlemen, ex- 
 cuse me, but I see back there in the crowd an 
 old lady evidently in trouble and I must go 
 to her." 
 
 He at once pressed his way through the 
 crowd to the woman's side, and the smiles 
 on her face soon bore evidence of the magical 
 effects of his kindly words. 
 
 The red carnation was Mr. McKinley's 
 favorite flower, and he always wore one 
 fastened in the lapel of his coat. During the 
 years of his presidency a bouquet of these 
 flowers usually stood on a table in the public 
 reception-room of the White House. If a 
 visitor expressed a desire for one of them, 
 the President at once exchanged the one he 
 
64 JLife of William McKinley 
 
 wore for a fresh one from the vase, and gave 
 the first to his guest. The fact that he wore 
 the flower greatly enhanced its value as a 
 
 gift. 
 
CHAPTER XIII 
 President's Day 
 
 1 he principal event in this country in the 
 summer of 1901 was the Pan-American Ex- 
 position, at Buffalo. Its objects were to 
 strengthen relations already existing and to 
 further the interests of trade and commerce 
 among the nations represented. 
 
 From the first, President McKinley had 
 been an earnest promoter of the enterprise, 
 and it seemed fitting that a President's Day 
 should have a prominent place on the pro- 
 gram of events to occur on the exposition 
 grounds. 
 
 On the day appointed, September 5, the 
 sky was cloudless, the birds sang, and cooling- 
 breezes rendered the air delightful. Oh, who 
 could have foreseen the dreadful tragedy 
 that was so soon to cloud all in gloom! 
 
 In honor of the occasion the city was 
 decked in gala attire. ''Welcome!" "Wel- 
 come ! " were the words upon hundreds of 
 flags and banners, fluttering in the breeze. 
 
^ I/ife of William McKinley 
 
 Mounted policemen, members of the Signal 
 Corps, and United States marines escorted 
 the President to the exposition grounds. At 
 the entrance he was greeted with a salute of 
 twenty-one guns, and while passing thence 
 to the platform which had been erected on the 
 esplanade, and from which he was to speak, 
 the air rang with cheers from the vast con- 
 course of people who had assembled to greet 
 the Nation's chief. 
 
 Seated near the platform were many dis- 
 tinguished people, representatives of the 
 various American governments. 
 
 When President Milburn of the Exposi- 
 tion rose to introduce the exalted guest the 
 vast audience was for a moment silenced. 
 But no sooner did he utter the words, "The 
 President," than the welkin resounded with 
 prolonged cheering. When silence was re- 
 stored. President McKinley gave utterance 
 to an address which is regarded as the ablest 
 of all he had ever given ; an address which has 
 had much to do with shaping the Nation's 
 policy since, and which will doubtless con- 
 tinue to influence its future course. 
 
Life of William McKinley 67 
 
 He spoke of the pleasure he felt at being 
 again in the city of Buffalo, where he had 
 been so hospitably entertained and so cor- 
 dially received by the people. 
 
 He extended words of greeting to the rep- 
 resentatives of foreign governments present, 
 and congratulated the managers of the Ex- 
 position on the success of their work. 
 
 He spoke of the benefits resulting from 
 expositions, financial, social and educational. 
 
 He dwelt upon the growth, prosperity and 
 greatness of our own country, and the neces- 
 sity of maintaining such conditions as would 
 contribute to its future advancement; and 
 declared that while competition in trade and 
 business is natural and proper, men should 
 not be enemies in business. The meaning 
 of all of which is that they should '' live and 
 let live." 
 
 He especially emphasized the importance 
 of peaceful trade relations with all nations. 
 ''Reciprocity" wherever possible, was the 
 keynote of this great speech. 
 
 He favored the settling of international 
 disputes by arbitration. 
 
68 Life of William McKinley 
 
 He pleaded for a more adequate steamship 
 service, for an Isthmian canal, and a Pacific 
 cable. 
 
 He paid a high tribute to the late James G. 
 Blaine, and closed with the petition that God 
 would grant to our own, to all neighboring 
 nations, and all the peoples of the earth, 
 "prosperity, happiness and peace." 
 
 This, his last and greatest speech, was 
 most favorably received everywhere. The 
 leading newspapers of the country, without 
 regard to party, commented favorably upon 
 it, and it has had much to do with molding 
 the Nation's destiny since. 
 
CHAPTER XIV 
 A Nation's Loss 
 
 On the afternoon of the following day, 
 September 6, the President held a public re- 
 ception in the Temple of Music. While 
 receiving he stood on the platform in front 
 of the great organ, on the east side of the 
 building. 
 
 President Milburn, of the Exposition, was 
 at his right and was introducing the people. 
 Secretary Cortelyou was at his left, and all 
 about him were secret service officers, who 
 were there for the purpose of preventing any 
 disaster, but who little dreamed that an 
 assassin was to approach in the guise of a 
 friend. 
 
 The building was crowded, and outside 
 were hundreds of people waiting to take the 
 hand of their beloved President. 
 
 In the midst of all this joy and gladness a 
 pistol shot was distinctly heard above the 
 hum of voices which filled the room. There 
 was a moment of silence, and then it was 
 
70 liife of William McKinley 
 
 discovered that it was President McKinley 
 at whom the shot was fired. 
 
 Immediately there was great commotion, 
 and had it not been for the agonized plea, 
 "Let no one hurt him!" the assassin might 
 have met a violent death then and there. 
 
 The stricken President was at once taken 
 to the Exposition hospital and his wound 
 examined. It was thought to be dangerous, 
 yet there was hope. Thence a few hours 
 later he was removed to the Milburn home, 
 where he had been a guest of honor since 
 coming to the city. Here sorrowing friends 
 hastily gathered from all parts of the coun- 
 try, and here the stricken one, beloved by an 
 entire nation, honored by the intelligent and 
 good all over the world, lingered until the 
 morning of the 14th, when he passed peace- 
 fully away. His last words were, " It is God's 
 way. His will be done." 
 
 During those days of watchfulness and 
 anxiety everything that love could prompt 
 and skill devise was done with the hope that 
 the exalted sufferer might be restored to 
 health. 
 
lAfe of William McKinley 71 
 
 So great were the hopes of the Nation that 
 at every favorable turn of the patient's symp- 
 toms there vs^as rejoicing throughout the 
 country. 
 
 So encouraging were the physicians' re- 
 ports on Thursday, the 12th, that special 
 services of praise and thanksgiving were 
 held in many places. 
 
 But the love of friends, the skill of physi- 
 cians, and the prayers of an entire nation, 
 were not sufficient to prolong the life of 
 William McKinley. His work was finished. 
 He entered upon his final rest. 
 
 Among the mourners, who during those 
 sad days gathered at the Milburn home, none 
 were more sincere than Vice-President 
 Roosevelt. And when the burden of gov- 
 ernment fell upon him he gave his word that, 
 as far as lay within his power, he would 
 fulfill the wishes of him whose voice was 
 now silenced forever. 
 
 President Roosevelt kept his promise and, 
 in so doing, caused the Nation's hopes to be 
 realized. All the people had reason to be 
 
72 Ijife of William McKinley 
 
 thankful that so good a man occupied the 
 place made vacant by the tragical death of 
 William McKinley. 
 
CHAPTER XV 
 Obsequies 
 
 Elaborate and appropriate obsequies were 
 held, beginning Sunday, September 15, at 
 the Milburn home in Buffalo, with a simple 
 service of prayer. Scripture reading and the 
 singing of the President's favorite hymns, 
 " Lead, Kindly Light," and '" Nearer, My 
 God, to Thee." 
 
 The casket was richly draped in black, and 
 bore this simple inscription on a silver plate: 
 
 WILLIAM McKINLEY 
 
 Born January 29, 1843 
 Died September 14, 1901 
 
 Over the foot of the casket an American 
 flag hung in graceful folds, while beautiful 
 flowers in rich profusion, the gift of people 
 from all parts of the country, bore testimony 
 of love. 
 
 At the close of these services, the bodv 
 was taken to the city hall, where it lay in 
 state and was viewed by thousands of sym- 
 pathetic mourning people. 
 
74 lAfe of William McKinley 
 
 On the following morning it was conveyed 
 to Washington, D. C, where services of a 
 more national character were held. 
 
 It is estimated that while on the way from 
 Buffalo to the national capital, one million 
 people looked upon the coffin in which were 
 inclosed the mortal remains of their beloved 
 President. 
 
 Schools were dismissed, farms and shops 
 were deserted, and the people gathered at all 
 available points along the line on the railroad 
 over which the funeral cortege passed. 
 
 Flags draped in mourning hung at half 
 mast from every home and store along the 
 route. These, with the faces of the people, 
 bore evidence of the universal mourning into 
 which the Nation was plunged. 
 
 The services at Washington were held be- 
 neath the dome of the Capitol, and were 
 attended by high state officials, representa- 
 tives of foreign governments, and members 
 of various civic orders. Bishop Andrews, of 
 the Methodist Episcopal Church, pronounced 
 the eulogium. At the close of the services, 
 sixty thousands people passed in mournful 
 
Life of William, McKinley 75 
 
 file by the casket, and thousands more stood 
 reverently waiting when the doors were 
 closed. 
 
 The last and most impressive services were 
 at the home city, Canton, Ohio. From Wash- 
 ington to this point, twenty cars were re- 
 quired to transport the funeral party. 
 
 Along the route the same scenes were 
 enacted as had been witnessed between 
 Buffalo and Washington. Though the jour- 
 ney occurred in the night, at every station 
 crowds were gathered to pay their last 
 tribute to the honored dead. 
 
 On arriving in Canton the body was taken 
 to the court-house, where it lay in state until 
 evening. Here it was again looked upon by 
 thousands of people who were mourners in- 
 deed. From the court-house it was removed 
 to his home, where it remained until the final 
 services, which were held in the Methodist 
 Episcopal Church, of which President Mc- 
 Kinley had been long a member. 
 
 His pew, draped in mourning, was vacant. 
 Aside from that, every available place in the 
 church was occupied. 
 
Id Life of William McKinley 
 
 There were present the same official repre- 
 sentatives as at Washington, and also the 
 same company of relatives; but here old 
 friends and neighbors w^ere given the place 
 of honor in the company of distinguished 
 mourners. 
 
 Outside the church, sorrowful throngs 
 crowded the grounds, the streets, and neigh- 
 boring lawns. The city was one vast mass 
 of mourning humanity that had come from 
 all parts of the state, all parts of the country, 
 to do honor to him who was to be laid away 
 out of their sight forever. 
 
 At the close of the services at the church 
 the body of President William McKinley was 
 conveyed to Westlawn Cemetery, between 
 two solid files of men, women and children, 
 many of whom manifested their grief by 
 convulsive sobbing and weeping. 
 
 The gray stone vault that was to receive 
 the honored dead was literally banked with 
 masses of beautiful flowers. 
 
 At the entrance the procession paused 
 while Bishop Joyce read the burial service 
 
lAfe of William McKinley 77 
 
 and eight bugles sounded the notes of the 
 soldier's requiem for the dead. 
 
 And now occurred one of the most singular 
 incidents ever recorded in the world's history. 
 
 By request of President Roosevelt, that 
 day, September 19, was set apart as one of 
 universal mourning. Wherever our flag 
 waved it was draped in black, and hung at 
 half mast. In all the large cities of the Union 
 impressive services were held at the same 
 hour as those at Canton. 
 
 At the moment when the casket was being 
 lowered into the tomb there was a solemn 
 hush throughout the country. Telegraph 
 lines were silenced. Street cars stopped run- 
 ning, and for five minutes nearly all human 
 activities ceased. 
 
 Not only was there mourning in this coun- 
 try, but it extended throughout the world. 
 
 In many of the great cathedrals of the Old 
 World, in London, Paris, Berlin, and St. 
 Petersburg, impressive religious services 
 were held. All denominations, Roman Cath- 
 olics, Protestants and Jews joined in these 
 services, thus showing that the religion of 
 
78 JLife of Williant McKinley 
 
 him whom they honored was of that divine 
 type which alone can lead men in the path 
 of duty and righteousness. 
 
 The remains of President McKinley lie in 
 the cemetery at Canton, where a beautiful 
 monument has been erected to his memory. 
 The place is annually visited by thousands 
 of people, who come to pay their respects to 
 one who devoted his life to the service of his 
 country. 
 
CHAPTER XVI 
 
 Extracts from Public Speeches 
 
 ABRAHAM LINCOLN 
 
 Lincoln had sublime faith in the people. 
 He walked with and among them. . . . Even 
 amid the vicissitudes of war he concealed 
 little from public review and inspection. In 
 all he did he invited rather than evaded ex- 
 amination and criticism. He submitted his 
 plans and purposes, as far as practicable, to 
 public consideration with perfect frankness 
 and sincerity. There was such homely sim- 
 plicity in his character that it could not be 
 hedged in by pomp of place nor the cere- 
 monials of high official station. He was so 
 accessible to the public that he seemed to 
 take the people into his confidence. Here 
 perhaps was one secret of his power. . . . 
 His patience was almost superhuman. And 
 who will say that he was mistaken in his 
 treatment of the thousands who thronged 
 continually about him? 
 
80 Life of William McKinley 
 
 A COMPARISON OF WASHINGTON AND 
 
 LINCOLN 
 
 The greatest names in American history 
 are Washington and Lincoln. . . . These 
 illustrious men achieved grander results for 
 mankind within a single century from 1775 
 to 1865, than any other men ever accom- 
 plished in all the years since first the flight 
 of time began. Washington drew his sword 
 not for a change of rulers upon an estab- 
 lished throne, but to establish a new govern- 
 ment which should acknowledge no throne 
 but the tribune of the people. Lincoln ac- 
 cepted war to save the Union, the safeguard 
 of our liberties. . . . Each lived to accom- 
 plish his appointed task. Each received the 
 unbounded gratitude of the people of his 
 time and each is held in great and ever 
 increasing reverence by posterity. 
 
 ULYSSES S. GRANT 
 
 His private life was beautiful in its purity 
 and simplicity. No irreverent oath passed 
 his lips, and his conversation was as chaste 
 and unaffected as that of simple childhood. 
 
lAfe of waiiam McKinley 81 
 
 His relations with his family were tender and 
 affectionate, and with officers, cordial and 
 considerate. He was a typical American, 
 free from ostentation, easily approached. His 
 whole life gave proof of his nationality — a 
 man from the people, of the people, for the 
 people, and never above the people. 
 
 JAMES A. GARFIELD 
 
 His broad and benevolent nature made 
 him a friend of all mankind. He loved the 
 young men of the country and drew them 
 to him by the thoughtful concern with which 
 he regarded them. As a citizen he loved his 
 country and her institutions, and was proud 
 of her progress and prosperity. As a scholar 
 and man of letters he took high rank. As 
 an orator, he was exceptionally strong and 
 gifted. As a soldier he stood abreast with 
 the bravest and best of the citizen soldiery 
 of the Republic. As a legislator, his most 
 enduring testimonial will be found in the 
 records of Congress and the statutes of his 
 country. As President, he displayed moder- 
 ation and wisdom with executive ability 
 
82 Life of William McKinley 
 
 which gave the highest assurance of a most 
 successful and illustrious administration. 
 
 JOHN A. LOGAN 
 
 His creed was his country. Patriotism the 
 sole plank of his platform. ... He was 
 every inch a soldier, dashing and fearless. 
 . . . Wherever the fire was the hottest, 
 wherever the line was most exposed, wher- 
 ever the danger was most imminent, John A. 
 Logan was always to be found. . . . His pa- 
 triotic words penetrated the hearts and 
 homes of the people of twenty-two States, 
 arousing a deep and profound love for coun- 
 try and a strong and lasting sentiment for 
 the cause of the Union. He advocated the 
 most generous bounties and pensions for the 
 brave men who risked all for their country. 
 , . . The old soldiers will miss him. . . . The 
 old veterans have lost their steady friend. 
 The Congress of the United States has lost 
 one of its ablest counselors, the Republican 
 party one of its confessed leaders, the country 
 •one of its noble defenders. 
 
Life of William McKinley 83 
 
 EDUCATION 
 
 The young men and women who succeed 
 nowadays must succeed because of superior 
 knowledge. This is an age of exactness. 
 What you know you must know well and 
 thoroughly, and to reach prominence you 
 must know it better than anybody else. It 
 will not do to know a thing half any longer. 
 . . . The only way to acquire knowledge is 
 to labor. There is no substitute for it. The 
 best time to get it is when you are young. 
 To use a homely but expressive phrase, " You 
 must hoe your own row." Don't try to 
 master too many things. A few things of 
 which you are thoroughly master give you 
 better equipment for life's struggles than a 
 whole arsenal of half-mastered, half-matured 
 things. 
 
 No college can make you great, no univer- 
 sity can make you successful. These achieve- 
 ments, and it is a common experience of 
 mankind, depend upon yourself. 
 
 We cannot have too much of an education 
 if it be of the right kind, and if it be rightly 
 
84 Life of William McKinley 
 
 applied it is of estimable value to the citizen 
 in every v^alk and branch of life. 
 
 LABOR 
 We owe something to the care, the eleva- 
 tion, the dignity and the education of labor. 
 We owe something to the working men and 
 the families of the working men throughout 
 the United States, who constitute the large 
 body of our population, and this bill favoring 
 the eight-hour law is a step in the right 
 
 direction. 
 
 Nowhere in the world has the cause of 
 labor, its rights and its dignities, been more 
 triumphant than in the United States. Labor 
 here is free and independent ; slave labor has 
 been abolished, and the workman makes his 
 own contracts and enters only into voluntary 
 employment. He is his own master; no man 
 owns his laborer. He is respected and hon- 
 ored in every walk of life, he has by merit 
 forged his way to the very front rank in 
 mechanism, and his trophies are seen on 
 
 everv hand. 
 
 American workmen are as a body the most 
 ingenious and intelligent of the world. 
 
Life of William McKinley 85 
 
 THE HOME 
 
 If I were called upon to say what in my 
 opinion constitutes the strength and security 
 and integrity of the Government, I would 
 say the American home. It lies at the very 
 beginning and foundation of a pure national 
 life. The good home makes the good citizen, 
 and the good citizen makes wholesome public 
 sentiment. Good government follows. 
 
 If the home life is pure, sincere and good, 
 the child is usually well prepared to receive 
 all the advantages and inspirations of a more 
 advanced education. The American home, 
 where honesty, sobriety and truth preside, 
 and a simple every-day virtue without pomp 
 and ostentation is practiced, is the nursery 
 of all true education. Out of such homes 
 usually come the men and women who make 
 our citizenship pure and elevated, and the 
 state and the nation long and enduring. 
 
 RELIGION 
 
 No man gets on so well in this world as he 
 whose daily walk and conversation are clean 
 and consistent, whose heart is pure, and 
 
86 Life of William McKinley 
 
 whose life is honorable. A religious spirit 
 helps every man. It is at once a comfort and 
 inspiration, and makes him stronger, wiser 
 and better, in every relation of life. There is 
 no substitute for it. 
 
 It has stood the test of centuries and has 
 never failed to help and bless mankind. 
 
 The world has use for the young man who 
 is well grounded in principle, who has rever- 
 ence for truth and religion, and courageously 
 follows their teachings. 
 
 The men who established this government 
 had faith in God and sublimely trusted in 
 Him. They besought His counsel and advice 
 in every step in their progress. And so it has 
 been ever since; American history abounds 
 in instances of this trait of piety, this sincere 
 reliance on a Higher Power in all great trials 
 in our national affairs. 
 
 SIR MOSES MONTEFIORE 
 
 His intellectual and physical faculties were 
 marvelous. He retained his mental faculties 
 until the last. After he was eighty years old 
 in the interest of his race and humanity he 
 
Life of William 31cKinley 87 
 
 made four great journeys, two to Jerusalem, 
 one to Roumania, and one to Russia. He 
 was always doing good. . . . He was broad- 
 minded, not bigoted, loving his race, and 
 believing in it, and yet helping Gentile as 
 well as Jew. . . . He assisted in every way 
 to the elevation of all races and all colors 
 of men. 
 
 AT THE DEDICATION OF GRANT'S TOMB 
 
 A great life, dedicated to the welfare of 
 the Nation, here finds its earthly corona- 
 tion. . . . 
 
 With Washington and Lincoln, Grant had 
 an exalted place in the history and the affec- 
 tions of the American people. Today his 
 memory is held in equal esteem by those 
 whom he led to victory and by those who 
 accepted his generous terms of peace. 
 
 New York holds in its keeping the precious 
 dust of the silent soldier. 
 
 But what he and his brave comrades 
 wrought for mankind is in the keeping of 
 seventy million of American citizens, who 
 
88 Life of William McKinley 
 
 will guard the sacred heritage forever and 
 forevermore. 
 
 ON EXPOSITIONS 
 
 Expositions are the timekeepers of prog- 
 ress. They record the world's advancement. 
 They stimulate the energy, enterprise and 
 intellect of the people, and quicken human 
 genius. 
 
 They go into the home. They broaden and 
 brighten the daily life of the people. They 
 open the mighty storehouses of information 
 to the student. Every exposition, great or 
 small, has helped to some onward step. 
 
 ON OUR MERCHANT MARINE 
 
 We must have more ships. They must be 
 under the American flag, built and manned 
 and owned by Americans. These will not 
 be profitable in a commercial sense ; they will 
 be messengers of peace and amity wherever 
 they go. 
 
 ON MANUFACTORIES 
 
 They bring coins for everybody who will 
 work. Comfort and contentment for all 
 deserving people. 
 
CHAPTER XVII 
 Opinions of Noted Men 
 
 " In his ambition and in his work, he was a man 
 among men — living for others as he understood their 
 needs." — A. T. Hadley, Yale University. 
 
 " He lived and he died nobly — always a sage and a 
 soldier, and now a saint." — John Wanamaker. 
 
 " He loved his native land, and used his life to serve 
 her larger growth in strength and fame." — 6". W. 
 Small. 
 
 " He was pure, simple, genial and kind." — Dr. 
 
 Angell, Michigan University. 
 
 *' He was a friend of education in every form." — 
 N . R. Harper, Chicago University. 
 
 " The candidate of a party, he was the President of 
 an entire people." — A. E. Stephenson, former Vice- 
 President, 
 
 " His pilot stars were Truth and Loyalty." — John 
 iV. Griggs, ex-Attorney-General. 
 
 " He leaves an unblemished record in public and 
 private life." — Sec. John D. Long. 
 
90 i,ife of William McKinley 
 
 " All our people loved their dead President." — 
 Grover Cleveland. 
 
 " He held a position among the rulers of the world 
 which no other of our Presidents filled." — Chauncey 
 M. Depezv. 
 
 " By common consent, he honored the whole human 
 race, and all the race will honor him." — /. B. Foraker. 
 
 " He was a true man, honest, pure of morals, gen- 
 erous-minded, conscientious, religious." — Archbishop 
 Ireland. 
 
 " His domestic virtues were worthy of all praise." — 
 Cardinal Gibbons. 
 
 " He was gentle in spirit, and kind in word and 
 deed." — W. J. Bryan. 
 
 " He was sincere, plain and honest, just, benevolent 
 and kind." — Rev. Dr. Manchester. 
 
 " It is a beautiful thing that to the end of his life he 
 bent reverently before that mother whose example and 
 teaching and prayer had so fashioned his mind and all 
 his aims." — Bishop Andrews. 
 
 The late General John B. Gordon in his " Remi- 
 niscences of the Civil War " says of WilHam McKinley 
 that he possessed a peculiarly winning and magnetic 
 presence, which few men have. 
 
President McKinley's 
 Favorite Hymns 
 
Nearer, My God, to Thee 
 
 Nearer, my God, to Thee, 
 
 Nearer to Thee ; 
 E'en tho' it be a cross 
 
 That raiseth me, 
 Still all my song shall be — 
 Nearer, my God, to Thee! 
 Nearer, my God, to Thee! 
 
 Nearer to Thee ! 
 
 Tho' like a wanderer, 
 The sun gone down. 
 
 Darkness be over me, 
 My rest a stone, 
 
 Yet in my dreams I'd be 
 
 Nearer, my God, to Thee! 
 
 Nearer, my God, to Thee ! 
 Nearer to Thee! 
 
 There let the way appear 
 Steps unto Heaven; 
 
 All that Thou sendest me. 
 In mercy given ; 
 
 Angels to beckon me 
 
 Nearer, my God, to Thee! 
 
 Nearer, my God, to Thee! 
 Nearer to Thee! 
 
94 lAfe of William McKinley 
 
 Then with my waking tho'ts 
 Bright with Thy praise, 
 
 Out of my stony griefs 
 Bethel I'll raise; 
 
 So by my woes to be 
 
 Nearer, my God, to Thee! 
 
 Nearer, my God, to Thee! 
 Nearer to Thee! 
 
 Or if, on joyful wing. 
 
 Cleaving the sky. 
 Sun, moon, and stars forgot. 
 
 Upward I fly. 
 Still all my song shall be 
 Nearer, my God, to Thee! 
 Nearer, my God, to Thee! 
 
 Nearer to Thee! 
 
 Lead, Kindly Light 
 
 Lead, kindly Light, amid th' encircling gloom, 
 
 Lead Thou me on ; 
 The night is dark, and I am far from home, 
 
 Lead Thou me on. 
 Keep Thou my feet; I do not ask to see 
 The distant scene; one step enough for me. 
 
 I was not ever thus, nor prayed that Thou 
 
 Shouldst lead me on; 
 I loved to choose and see my path ; but now 
 
 Lead Thou me on. 
 
Life of William McKinley 
 
 95 
 
 I loved the garish day ; and, spite of fears, 
 Pride ruled my will ; remember not past years. 
 
 So long Thy power hath blest me, sure it still 
 
 Will lead me on 
 O'er moor and fen, o'er crag and torrent, till 
 
 The night is gone. 
 And with the morn those angel faces smile, 
 Which I have loved long since, and lost awhile. 
 
In Memoriam — President McKinley 
 
 When we remember thee, our gracious friend — 
 
 'Tis not harsh sorrow, but a tenderer woe 
 
 That binds thee to us, that makes the heart o'erflow 
 
 With fondest memories. With reverent 
 
 Heads we bowed to the inevitable end, 
 
 For Death, the conqueror, full well we know 
 
 Enters no tournament with cowardly blow. 
 
 Thou wast so full of life, yet Death did blend 
 
 The discord in the harmonies of life. 
 
 Our fruitless tears have bathed thy honored bier, 
 
 The couch of lowly sleep is thy abode ; 
 
 The goal is reached, the race is run, the strife, 
 
 The pilgrimage, so well begun, will cheer 
 
 Us onward, upward, on our rugged road. 
 
 Full bravely didst thou turn life's varied page ; 
 Thy sturdy truth and courage did not fail ; 
 Naught of the craven is there in thy trail, 
 But glorious victories our heritage. 
 Thy mighty spirit is eclipsed. No age 
 Can boast a nobler. None dare assail 
 Thy right to tribute, neither to curtail 
 By jot or tittle; 'tis only thy just wage. 
 For thou wert fashioned in heroic mold; 
 A master thou hast been to emulate. 
 
Life of William McKinley 97 
 
 A champion of honor and of worth, 
 Pure in thy purpose, vigorous and bold, 
 Strong in thy sorrow, thy chivalry innate — 
 Fulfilled has been the promise of thy birth. 
 
 Relentless fate sweeps on, the strongest fall — 
 
 But yesterday it seems we saw thy face 
 
 And watched thee, as thou stoodst in public place 
 
 And heard thy counsels wise, in justice hall. 
 
 To friends thou wert a friend, yet kind to all; 
 
 Thy adversary's lance in any race 
 
 Ne'er crossed thine own, but thou wouldst feel disgrace 
 
 If not the open that didst make him fall. 
 
 No prize could swerve thee from thy just intent — 
 
 A world's acclaim was counted nothing gained ; 
 
 Sound to the core and sturdy wast thou made ; 
 
 Girded, thou stood against the winds nor bent ; 
 
 Proud of thy 'scutcheon, untarnished, and unstained, 
 
 Thy honor gained for thee exalted grade. 
 
 A common grief is ours, a common loss. 
 
 No more thy fiery eloquence will bring 
 
 Home to our hearts the truths from which they spring. 
 
 Time will assuage the grief, the bitter cross, 
 
 Our hearts by sorrow's fire refined from dross ; 
 
 And though the wound be healed, the scar may sting, 
 
 Yet still the fragrance of thy life will cling 
 
 Sending benignant influence across. 
 
 The matchless dialogue, the flashing wit, 
 
 The will indomitable to maintain 
 
98 Zdfe of William McKinley 
 
 The right in truth's just cause — beyond our ken 
 Just as the light a quenched star may transmit 
 For ages traveling downward, so may again 
 The light thou left shine on the paths of men. 
 
 O Friend! forever loved, forever dear! 
 
 When at thy side the Messenger Divine 
 
 Descended and low whispered, "Thou art mine,' 
 
 A sudden gloom fell on us and a fear. 
 
 We knew how we should miss thee, how severe 
 
 The cross would be ; how our love didst entwine 
 
 Around thee, and then we knew the gain was thine, 
 
 And knowing felt resigned. Thou art not here ! 
 
 From leaf to leaf the night-winds softly creep 
 
 Across thy bed and sing a requiem ; 
 
 In sweet refrain the everlasting hills 
 
 Repeat, " He giveth his beloved sleep — 
 
 Thy faithful quest has earned a diadem," 
 
 And " Peace " is echoed 'til the woodland fills. 
 
 — Mary H. M. Schutt, 
 
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