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A WILLIAM MCKINLEY A 
 
c 
 
 -^ ACTION 
 
 Constitutional Conxention 
 
 OF VIRGINIA 
 
 FOLLOWING THE 
 
 WOUNDING AND DKA 111 
 
 OF 
 
 PRESIDENT McKINLEY 
 
 SEPTEMBER, 1901 
 
 ItlCHMtlMl AND LVNCHIUKi; : 
 
 J. \'. Hem COMI'ANY, PKINXEItS ANM IJl.M.EKS 
 
 19 01. 
 
-MAR 1 S 
 
 
 
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 7" 
 
THE TRAGEDY ANNOUNCED. 
 
 
 On the assembling of the Virginia Constitntidnal 
 Convention, Saturday, September 7, l!M)l, at 11 
 o'clock A. M., Rev. K. L. Mason, of Ridimond, 
 offered the following prayer, which contains the 
 first official allusion to the assassination of President 
 McKinley : 
 
 Our Father who art in Heaven, liaUowed he Thy name. 
 Thy kingdom come, Tliy will he done, on earth as it is in 
 Heaven. Give us this day our daily hread, and forj^Mve us 
 our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass a«,'aiiist iis. 
 And lead us not into temptation, hut deliver us t'n.in t-vil, 
 for Thine is the kingdom, the power and the ^lory, foruvrr 
 and forever. 
 
 Almighty and most merciful God, hy whose power all 
 things are created, and hy whose providence all thinirs are 
 sustained, Ave stand here to invoke Thy hlessini; and Thy 
 help upon us this morning. We ask, Alnii^dity ( Jod, that 
 Thy spirit may be poured down upon us, that Thy counsi-ls 
 may direct this nation, that our rulers and governors evi-rv- 
 where may reverence Thy holy nanu' and sci-k to t'ollnu Tliv 
 divine counsel. 
 
 We pray that our people may he a righteous |n(.|ih-. lov- 
 ing God and working righteousness, and doiiiu- Tliy will in 
 their hearts. 
 
 And we ask especially, Almighty ( iod. that Thy ItU-ssirig 
 
4 iiii: TKA(;i;i>Y anniunckd. 
 
 may In- )>risi-iil luTi- witli this asscinltly, that cacli and (.-vcrv 
 iiH'inln.'r of this Convention may he inspind liy the spirit of 
 tlif livinir < •<'<! to see tlu' tliin<rs that are true, and rii^ht, and 
 just, and ]iure ; that they may he l»ra\c and ^tninj; to (h> 
 Thy will for the .uood of these. Thy people, f(.r the .«,dory of 
 'i'hy name, and for the welfare of our nation and State for- 
 evei-. 
 
 (Irant, Almiuhty (iod, esjieeially. Thy hlessinu' upon the 
 Chief ^Ia;u:istrate of this country. Almii,dity l-'ather, in 
 Thine infinite mercy stretch forth Thy hand and ileal him. 
 and raise iiim np from his sickness witli a heart filled with 
 gratitude to Tliee, and more than ever consecrated to Thy 
 service and to the good of this people. 
 
 Orant, Almighty God, that counsels of justice, of peace, 
 and of righteousness may prevail throughout our whole 
 land, and that we may be a people indeed, serving the living 
 God, doing good in the world, and setting an example of 
 righteousness and justice and trutli to the worhl in which we 
 live. 
 
 All of which we ask, in the name of our Lord and Savior, 
 Jesus Christ. Amen. 
 
 RESOLUTIONS OF SYMPATHY. 
 
 At the conclusion of the prayer, ex-Governor 
 Cameron rose at his seat and said : 
 
 Mr. Pi-esident : Though nature this morning weai's her 
 brightest smile, the shadow of an atrocious crime and of an 
 all-])ervading sorrow hangs like a jiali over tiie heart and 
 mind of every patriotic and law-loving eiti/.en of this great 
 Kepublie. 
 
 1 :i>k, without fear that assent will \h- withhehl hy any 
 member of this body, permission to read a series of rt'solu- 
 
THE TrjAfiEDY AXNol M i;|). .') 
 
 tion.s, and I retiuesl their iiuiiicdiati' ((insidtrMiioii and 
 adoption bv the Convention : 
 
 Whereas, The hand of an assassin has phiccil in jx-ril 
 the life of the President of the United States, and the whuh- 
 country stands appalled at the t'onhiess and cnulty (.!' thr 
 crime, therefore be it 
 
 Besolved, First, That tlie delegates of the i»et»|ih- i>f \'ir- 
 ginia, in Convention assembled, view with horror and exe- 
 cration the dastard blow which has been struck at tlie entire 
 nation in the person of its Chief Magistrate, and extend to 
 all their fellow-citizens of the United States, and esi)ecially 
 to those united by ties of blood and family rehitionsliip to 
 the President, the most sincere expression of i)rofonnd sor- 
 row at the great calamity which has befallen the coinitry. 
 
 Second, That as a mark of affectionate sympatliy and 
 share in the grief Avhich is felt by the whole American peo- 
 ple, this body shall suspend its session for the day, and that 
 the Presiding OfHcer of the Convention is requested to con- 
 vey to the Private Secretary of the Executive of the United 
 States, with a copy of these resolutions, the hopes and 
 prayers of the people of Virginia for the speedy restoratitjn 
 of President McKinley to health and strength. (Ai)phiuse. ) 
 
 When the resolutions had been read, United State? 
 Senator Daniel arose and said : 
 
 This Convention assembles to-day, Mr, President, in the 
 gloom of a great national catastrophe. The stroke whieh 
 has befallen this country penetrates to the remotest parts «.f 
 the globe, and it fills the hearts of all our peopk', in pnblie 
 place and at domestic fireside as well, with the deepest feel- 
 ings of horror and grief— with horror that a stujjendous and 
 scarce speakable crime has stained the annals of onr society: 
 
«> llli: IKACKDY ANN'orXCKT). 
 
 with i^ricf tliiit ils iK.Mi- virtiin is the PivsiiU-iit of our 
 II Hint rv. 
 
 DitlVrenoe of o]»inion ainoiiijfst men is natural. As no 
 two grains of sand air exai-tly alike, as no two leaves of 
 any tree are exaelly alike, so no two minds are eonstrueted 
 alike. No two men ean contemi)late any objcet from the 
 same standpoint. From this natural difYerenee in all ereated 
 things grow strife, eontroversy, war, and j)erturbation. 
 
 In forty years of the perturbations of this country, Avhieh 
 at times have been bitter beyond expression, AVilliam Me- 
 Kinley has ])een identified with all of its iiioveiuents, and 
 from early manhood has taken a leading part. It is a won- 
 derful feature of his career that though so closely identilied 
 with |>artisan relations, he so conducted himself with ecjua- 
 niinity, with forbearance, with moderation and temperance, 
 that he was regarded by all the people as the exemplar of a 
 good man and a good citizen, and that he attracted the per- 
 sonal animosity of none. 
 
 It has l)een my fortune, Mr. President, to be often in his 
 presence and to conduct conversations with him al)()ut our 
 national alYairs, for a number of years during his si-rvite in 
 Washington, both as a Representative of his peojjle and 
 later as the Chief Magistrate of this nation. 
 
 In recent years he has been thrown as the("ominander-in- 
 Chief of armies and navies and as the civil magistrate in 
 conflicts with other peoples and in political strife which 
 often penetrated to the hearts of men and left bitter senti- 
 ments and feelings. I have often heard him make this 
 ri'iiKirk, that the high.est anil)ition that lillcil lii> luMrt was 
 to bring all the ])eople of this counti'v, of wliatc\er section, 
 into coiiiniunion and fraternity with each otluT, and to make 
 each one of them feel that he was in verity thi' citizen of a 
 corrinioii count ry. 
 
 In large measure he had worthily accomplished his wort hv 
 
THE Ti{A(;i;i)^' ANN(»rN(i:i». 7 
 
 task, lie had seen uikUt liisown liaiid iiini who li:i(| tuiiL'ht 
 together in hitter l)attle, in mutual wcll-lxsrcniini,' raiik> 
 march all oneway, and lie had seen MniK-r his own ^^MMihincc 
 and under his own kind and forhearinjj: speech the strife of 
 conflicts soon suhside into the serenity of peaceful relation. 
 Noble ambition, most nobly aceomi)lished hy a worthy and 
 patriotic leader ! 
 
 To-day, Mr. President, all the people of this country an- 
 united, and all are united in grief and tears ovei- the coMch 
 where our noble Chief Magistrate lies stricken. It is not a 
 time for speech. Nay, sir, it is not the time even for that 
 praise w^hich would naturally spring to our hearts. In tin- 
 awful contemplation of an atrocious crime our lips are hushed, 
 and we can only whisper our sympathy to tlie hearts which 
 are nearest and dearest to him, and send our greetings of 
 deep sorrow to all of our stricken countrymen. ( Ap]>hiuse. ) 
 
 The resolutions were unaiiiinously agreed to, after 
 which the President said : 
 
 In accordance with the resolutions just adopted, and :is a 
 mark of profound respect for the President and heartfelt 
 sympathy for him in this sad hour of his suflering and trial, 
 the Convention will stand adjourned until 12 o'clock on 
 Monday. 
 
THE PRESIDENT'S DEATH 
 ANNOUNCED. 
 
 
 
 Saturday, Septeml)cr 14, I'.ml. 
 
 The CoDvention met at 12 o'clock m. 
 
 Rev. C. C. Cox, of Richmond, offered the follow- 
 ing prayer : 
 
 Almighty God, in wlioiii we live and move and liavr mir 
 being, the God of Abraham and Isaac and Jacob, the (\yA 
 of the Apostles and Prophets, the God and Father of our 
 Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, we acknowledge Thy sov- 
 ereignty. We would crown Thee King of kings and Lord 
 of lords. There is no pow'er but of Thee. The powei-s that 
 be are ordained of Thee, and Avhosoever resisteth the jiower 
 resisteth the ordinance of God. 
 
 We pray that Thou wilt giye us the proper attitude towards 
 all those who are in authority. May we not have the spirit 
 of untoward criticism, but may we ratlier sympathize with 
 them in their arduous and delicate tasks. 
 
 ' We have heard Avith great sorrow of tiie death of our he- 
 loved President, and we pray that the richest benedictions 
 of Heaven may rest upon this great nation. ( Jod grant that 
 the affairs of state may move on smoothly and evenly, with- 
 out let or hindrance. May this great country of «)urs not 
 see a great panic ; may nothing be done rashly or h;istily ; 
 
10 Till: i'i;i>ii)1;n r's diiaiti annoini kd. 
 
 Imt wi' in-iiy Tlu'i' that t'\trvt liinir may he so irdVciiicMl and 
 <i:ui(li-(l l.y the Alini-lity as m \\<.ik mii f,,r His i^Mory and for 
 tlu' .y-ood of this pi'opK-. 
 
 And may Thy hh'ssinLc rest uiion liiin who is soon to l)e 
 inchictrd into the ollifc of I'rcsiihnt. (iraiitthat thrniantU' 
 of thr dead man may fall ujion his slionldci>. (irant that 
 lie may he disercet and wise. May he he a political ])atri()t 
 and not a i)()liti<.'al i)artisan. And so, oh God, havin<i: these 
 charaeteristies, may he make ns a wise and usefnl President. 
 
 We thank Thee for the i^reat and (jood men who have 
 li\-ed and wi-oimlit and died within the hounds of llie State 
 in which we live — great in i)eaee and in war; great in the 
 realm of ])olitics ; great in letters. 
 
 W'r thank Tlu>e for Thy kind ])r()vidence which has kejjt 
 from n> so long war and pestilence and lilight. .May Thy 
 eontinned favor still rest ujwn this great State. May our 
 barns he filled with i)lenty and our presses l)nrst forth with 
 new wine. 
 
 May Thy es})eeial favor rest to-day upon this great hody 
 of men here assembled. We appreciate, to some extent, 
 their (jualities of head and heart, but how much they need 
 wisdom from above. Grant it unto them, oh. Lord, as they 
 endeavor to frame a Constitution for this i)eoi)le, and grant 
 that the law which they shall thus frame may be holy, just 
 and good. 
 
 And unto Thee, the ( iod of nations and the ( iod of states, 
 as well as the God of the individual, he all the glory and 
 power, now and forever. Amen. 
 
 DEATH OF PRESIDENT McKINLEY. 
 
 Mr. Braxton : Mr. President, I desire to present 
 to the Convention the followin<x preamble and reso- 
 
THE president's DEATH AXN( M N. i:i ,. || 
 
 lutions, prepared by the President of tins Conv.n- 
 tion, as a suitable expression of tlio deep fcdiii- :uid 
 profound sympathies of this body : 
 
 ;iv. :i 
 
 Since the adjournment of the Convent i<m ..n yoi. •,•.!,.. . 
 most afflictive dispensation has been vLsited hv Divin.- I'ruv.. 
 dence upon the American Republic^ and to-day :.II tlic iM-.p!,. 
 mourn. Their worst fears have 'been reali"/,.!, ,-nid th.ir 
 beloved Chief Magistrate is no more. I'rcsid.iu McKinbv 
 having been suddenly struck down by the hand of a cruel 
 assassin, an avowed enemy of all organized government, and 
 having borne his sufferings with heroic fortitude and Chris- 
 tian resignation, has entered into eternal rest and gene tu 
 his reward. In the presence of such an awful cahimitv, 
 silence is more eloquent than words. Speecli has h)st its 
 power, and language is altogether too poor to give expression 
 to the deep and swelling emoticms of the heart. It becomes 
 us, therefore, to be still, to remember that the Lord <;.>d 
 omnipotent reigneth, and to bow in hiunhk. sul)inissi..n t.^ 
 His holy will. 
 
 Resolved, That the representatives of Virginia, in conven- 
 tion assembled, speaking in the name and by the authority 
 of all her people, without distinction of party or creed, ten- 
 der most respectfully to Mrs. McKinley their sincere and 
 heartfelt sympathy in this sad hour of her sore bereavement, 
 and send assurances to their countrymen everywhere, at home 
 and beyond the seas, that they participate in the universal 
 sorrow and feel most deeply the crushing weight of the blow- 
 that has fallen upon our connnon country. 
 
 JRewlved, That a copy of these proceedings, signed l»y thi- 
 President and attested by the Secretary of the Con vent i<.u, 
 be forwarded to Mrs. McKinley, and to the Secretary of State 
 of the United States. 
 
12 TlIK riilsSIDKNl's DKAl'll ANNOlNc KD. 
 
 Bi'solntl, That, as a furtluT mark of ivspt'ct to tlu' iiifiiitn-y 
 of till- illustrious dead, the Convention do now adjourn. 
 
 The President : The question is on agreeing to 
 the resolutions. 
 
 The resolutions were unanimously agreed to ; and 
 accordingly (at 12 o'clock and 20 minutes p. m. ) the 
 Convention adjourned until Monday, September 16, 
 1901, at 12 o'clock meridian. 
 
TO REPRESENT VIRGINIA A I 
 THE FUNERAL. 
 
 Monday, Septeml)er IC, liMil. 
 
 The Convention met at 12 o'clock m., ami alnH'^t 
 immediately Senator Daniel said: 
 
 Mr. President, I beg leave to oftVr the tdllowiiiLr resolu- 
 tions, which I will read : 
 
 Eesolved, That the President of the Convention is re(ineste(l 
 to appoint a committee of five members of this body to 
 attend to-morrow, in the city of Washington, the services in 
 honor of the late William McKinley, President of tlie 
 United States. 
 
 Resolved, That a committee of five be also aijpointed l)y 
 the President of the Convention to make necessary arrange- 
 ments for appropriate services to be held in this hall on 
 Thursday, the 19th instant, the day of tlie late President's 
 funeral. 
 
 The President: The question is on agreeing to 
 the resolutions offered by the gentleman from Camp- 
 bell. 
 
 The resolutions were unanimously agreed to. 
 
 Mr. Daniel: I move that the President of the 
 Convention be chosen as the chairman of the com- 
 mittee to attend the exercises in Washington. 
 
14 TO JiKriU^LNT VIU(;iNIA AT TJIK ITNKh'A 1.. 
 
 The President pro iem. (Mr. W. A. Anderson): 
 The question is on agreeing to the motion of the gen- 
 tleman from Campbell. 
 
 The motion was unanimously agreed to. 
 
 The President pro tern.: The Chair announces 
 the following as the committee authorized to be 
 appointed under the resolution adopted to-day in 
 reference to the obsequies of President McKinley and 
 the memorial meeting to be held in this hall: 
 
 Committee to visit Washington and attend the 
 exercises there: Messrs. Goode (President), Daniel, 
 Wise, Thomas L. Moore, and Blair. 
 
 Committee on Memorial Exercises: Messrs. R. 
 
 Walton Moore, William A. Anderson, Green, Brooke 
 and Gillespie. 
 
MEMORIAL SERVICES. 
 
 Tuesday, September 17, llinl. 
 
 The Convention met at 12 o'clock m., Hon. \V. 
 A. Anderson, President iwo tern., in the chair, who 
 immediately said to the Convention: 
 
 The chairman of the select committee upon memorial 
 services in honor of the late President McKinley presents a 
 report, which the Chair lays before the Convention. Tlic 
 Secretary Avill read it. 
 
 The Secretary read as follows: 
 To the Constitufiomd Convention : 
 
 The committee appointed to arrange services in memory 
 of the late President McKinley, to be held by the Conven- 
 ti(m in its hall Thursday, the 19th instant,' beg leave to 
 recommend the following program : 
 
 The Convention Avill meet at 11 o'clock a. m. and intro- 
 ductory remarks will be made by the President. 
 
 Eeligious exercises will then be conducted by the Kev. 
 W. V. Tudor, of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South. 
 
 At the conclusion of these exercises there will be addrt.>sc> 
 by officials representing the various departments of the State 
 government, followed by addresses by members of the Con- 
 vention. 
 
 It is suggested that mendjcrs of tlie Convention intendiuLT 
 
16 MEMORIAL PKRVICI^S. 
 
 to s})c'ak signily ilu-ir |)iiri»<ist- to tin- Pixsidiiit liut'oix' the 
 session opens, in oimKt tli;it ;iny i-oiit'iisioii in;iy he avoided. 
 
 The services will he closed with a hciu'dittion hy the Kev. 
 Dr. W. F. Diinaway. 
 
 Kespecttully, 
 
 E. ^VAI.TO^' MoOKE, 
 
 William A. Anderson, 
 Berryman Green, 
 D. Tucker Brooke, 
 A. V. (liLLp:sriE. 
 
 Mr. Brooke: I offer the resolution wliicli I send 
 to the desk, and ask for its adoption. 
 
 The resolution was read as follows: 
 
 Besolved, First, That the report of the committee l)e 
 adopted. 
 
 Second, That when the Convention adjourns on \Vednes- 
 day, the 18th instant, it shall adjourn to meet on Thursday 
 morning, the 19th instant, at 11 o'clock, for the memorial 
 services as recommended l>y the committee, and that no 
 (jther husiness be transacted on that day. 
 
 The President pro ton.: The question is the 
 adoption of the resolution offered by the delegate 
 from Norfolk city (Mr. Brooke). 
 
 The resolution was agreed to. 
 
MEMORIAL ADDRESSES AND 
 SERVICES. 
 
 
 
 Thursday, September 19, 1901. 
 
 The Couvention met at 11 o'clock a. m. 
 
 Hon. J. Hoge Tyler, Hon. Kichard H. Card well, 
 Hon. Henry T. Wickham, and Rev. W. V. Tudor, 
 D. D., were seated on the platform, near the Presi- 
 dent's chair, and the other invited guests of the 
 Convention were provided with seats upon the floor. 
 
 ADDRESS OF PRESIDENT GOODE. 
 
 The President (Hon. John Goode) called the 
 Convention to order and said : 
 
 Gentlemen of the Convention : 
 
 In accordance with a resolution adopting the report of 
 the committee appointed to arrange suitable services in 
 memory of the late President McKinley, the regular busi- 
 ness of to-day's session is suspended, and we pause in our 
 labors here to perform a melancholy duty and to render our 
 mournful tribute to the illustrious dead. 
 
 When the distressing intelligence was flashed along the 
 magnetic wire on the afternoon of Friday, the sixth day of 
 this month, that the President of the United States, while 
 holding a public reception in the city of Buffalo, had been 
 
IS .Mi;.M()i:iAi. Ai)i)i;i>;si:s anu skkvicix 
 
 suddenly struck dnwn l)y tlu- cnu-l blow of :i cowMrdlv assas- 
 sin, a tliiill of li(in-(ir was everywhere felt, not only in our 
 own land, l>ut tlirou;i:;hout the civili/.ed world. 
 
 For ei^ht weary days and niyhts the hearts of all the 
 Anierii-an people were anxiously turned toward the distin- 
 i^uished >utTerei- who was niakin.i^- a luM-oic st ruuirlt^' h>i' life. 
 Thiy were moved hy eontending emotions of hope and of 
 fear. They fervently prayed in public and in private that 
 a merciful Providence would spare tiie valuable life of their 
 beloved Chief Ma<^istrate, and restore him to health and 
 strength, so that he might continut' to o((Ui>y the exalted 
 station which had l)een dignified and adorned Ijy his com- 
 manding abilities and his manly virtues. 
 
 IJut, alas, their worst fears have been realized. William 
 McKinley is numbered among the dead. The places that 
 knew him once will know him no more forever. To-day the 
 voice of lamentation is heard from the Atlantic to the Pacific 
 and from far-ofY lands beyond the seas. His countrymen are 
 now standing with heads uncovered and eyes bedimmed with 
 tears, around his open grave in the city he loved so well. 
 
 It is not for me to dwell upon his many adiniralde (juali- 
 ties of head and of heart. As Representative in Congress 
 and President he was able and patriotic ; as a friend he was 
 faitiiful and kind ; as a Christian he was consistent and con- 
 scientious ; as a son he was atlectionate and devoted ; as a 
 liusband he was tender and true. In all the relations of life, 
 public and ])rivate, he acted well his part. lie has left no 
 stain upon his escutcheon; he wore the white flower of a 
 l)lameless life. 
 
 His most distinguishing characteristic as a party leader 
 was his extraordinary tact, a (piality regarded l)y many as 
 more desirable than genius or talent. Amid all tlu' ti'in]»ta- 
 tions and vicissitudes of a Ixisy public life he never turned 
 his l)aek upon the religion he professed, and was ni-ver 
 
ME:\rORIAL ADDRESSES AND SEKVICPX 19 
 
 ashamed of the Gospel of Christ. No man ever ombracfd 
 more eagerly an opportunity to serve a friend. ^VIu■ll his 
 aged mother, who had done so much in the days of his 
 childhood to mould his character and influence his life, was 
 suffering upon a bed of sickness, he left the presidential 
 chair and hurried as rapidly as possible for Canton, tenderly 
 watched at her bedside for eight days and nights, and finally 
 closed her eyes in death. 
 
 Xo matter how pressing and important his public duties 
 might be, he never forgot or neglected his duty to his inva- 
 lid wife, to whom he was bound by cords stronger than hooks 
 of steel and to whom his first thoughts instinctively turned 
 in the moment of his imminent peril when the fatal shot 
 was fired. 
 
 But he is no more. Xo more shall Ave look upon his 
 kindly, benignant face ; no more shall we feel the warm, 
 cordial grasp of his hand ; no more shall we listen to tiie 
 sympathetic tones of his attractive voice. 
 
 "The mighty flood that rolls 
 Its torrents to the main 
 Can ne'er recall its waters lost 
 From that abyss again ; 
 
 "So days and years and time 
 Descending down to night 
 Can thenceforth never more return 
 Back to the sphere of light ; 
 
 "And man when in the grave 
 Can never quit its gloom 
 Until the eternal morn shall wake 
 The silence of the tomb." 
 
 But we sorrow not as those without hope. On the con- 
 trary, we may indulge the most comforting assurance that 
 his immortal spirit is now happy in the realms of the blest. 
 
20 MKMdIMAI. AI>l)Ki:s>I>; AND SKIt VlCt>!. 
 
 W'r ai'e told tliat in tlir siiiirt-iiK- luoiiR-iit of (lissuliiiidii 
 lu' \v;is lieard gently \vlii>])rrinti: the Ix-autitul liiu-s of tluit 
 f.iniiliiir liynni — 
 
 '' Xfiuvr, my ( iod, t(» Thoe, 
 Xt-arcr to Tlicc." 
 
 As he entered the valley of the shadow of death, in hid- 
 ding farewell to grief-stricken relatives and friends, who 
 surrounded his hedside, his last spoken words were : "It is 
 God's way. Let His will, not ours, he done." AVhat a 
 striking illustration of heautiful Christian resignation and 
 of suhlime faith in a hlissful innnortality heyond the grave. 
 
 As we move forward in the discharge of the manifold 
 duties incumhent upon us, let us not forget the instructive 
 lessons to be drawn from the alHictive dispensation that has 
 been visited upon our conmion country. 
 
 What are those lessons? In the first place there seems to 
 be a consensus of opinion that all the ])owers of government, 
 both state and national, should be brought into requisition 
 for the purpose of su})i)ressing the hell-born spirit of anarchy, 
 that seeks to accomplish the overthrow of all organized gov- 
 ernment. There is no room for the anarchist in this land of 
 liberty regulated by law. 
 
 Another lesson inc-ulcated is that it is the touch of nature 
 that makes all the world kin. ^Ve have not only received 
 the most tender messages of sympathy from the rei)resenta- 
 tives of all the civilized governments upon earth, but in our 
 own land the asperities engendered by i)arty strife and sec- 
 tional differences are apparently obliterated, and all the 
 American jjcople seem to be animated l)y the same aspira- 
 tions foi- the welfare of our common couniry and the same 
 determination to uphold and di'fend the supremacy of law 
 and of order. 
 
 I-'inallv, let it not be fori>(»tten that the tmiversal esteem 
 
MEMORIAL ADDRESSES AND SERVICES. 21 
 
 in which the martyred President was held by his admiring 
 countrymen, as shown by the extraordinary demonstration 
 at the national capital and the spontaneous outburst of feel- 
 ing from one end of the land to the other, was due to his 
 high personal character and his irreproachable private life. 
 Let our young men especially lay tlie lesson to heart that if 
 they would aspire to leadership in their day and generation 
 and are moved by an honorable ambition to occupy liigli 
 political station, the surest passport to popular favor in a 
 government like ours and under institutions such as we enjoy 
 is character. 
 
 The public safety and the national lionor depend upon 
 the force of individual character. What a happy day it will 
 be in this country when none but men of character can com- 
 mand the public confidence and the public support, when 
 every position of honor and of trust shall be filled by a repre- 
 sentative man of incorruptible integrity, a man who would 
 feel a stain like a wound and avoid corruption in office as he 
 Avould shun the contact of death itself. 
 
 If such a blessing shall be vouchsafed to us we may confi- 
 dently indulge the hope that at the close of the century on 
 which we have entered the American people may come 
 together from the North and the South, from the East and 
 from the West, to mingle their congratulations, to raise their 
 songs of triumph, and to praise God from whom all blessings 
 flow that the priceless heritage becpieathed by our fathers 
 has been preserved to them, and that the American Republic 
 still lives. 
 
 The Chair now presents the Rev. W. V. Tudor, D. D., 
 who has kindly consented to conduct the religious exercises 
 on this occasion. 
 
2'2 MEMdUIAL Al)I>KESSr>< AND SERVICES. 
 
 PRAYER. 
 
 Rev. W. V. TuiK)H, J). J)., of Richmond, deliv- 
 ered the following prayer: 
 
 Lft us l>r:iy. ( )li (Jod, in Thy liaiid i»ur hrcatli is, and 
 Thine are all our ways. In liarniony with the last utterance 
 of Thy servant who has heen removed from his earthly hdjoi*s, 
 and nf \vhi>ni we alTeetionately thiid< at this tiiiu', we 
 aeknowled.iie Thy ri.uhtful, righteous and eternal sover- 
 eignty. AVe eannot fail to adore Thy wisdom and goodness, 
 oil Ood, when we ohserve that wherever Thy will obtains, 
 as in tlie movements of the planetary bodies and the w hole 
 order of nature, there is only good ; and the ery of the watch 
 upon the decks of the universe is ever *'A11 is well ; " and 
 the same it is when in the mystery of Thy Providence there 
 is apparent destruction, and all is apparently for the worst, 
 as the deatli of the seed in the ground, since presently there 
 is the shoot, the stem, the blade, and the full corn in the 
 ear. So also in the moral mysteries such as the death of 
 our late Chief Magistrate, while overwhelmed with sorrow 
 we must still say, "All is well undei- 'fhy sovereign care." 
 
 We thank thee, oh God, our Fatlier, for the grace which 
 enabled the great man's soul to report with his last breath, 
 "It is God's way; His will be done, not ours." "We thank 
 Thee that Thou didst give to a sinful nation for its ruler a 
 man who could be admired and honoi'ed and loved for his 
 cleanness of character, his})urityof motive', and the gcniTous 
 warmth of his affections. We thank Thee that in his 
 unnnirniui'inLT snltniission to his end we may st-e ilinstrati^'d 
 the liiith of Tliy word to tlic hclicver, "death is swallowed 
 II I ) in victory." 
 
 We thaid< Thcc for the fortitude witii which Thou hast 
 i-cinforcc(l the soul of the seiisiliK' woman, lici-eaved of oiu' of 
 
MEMORIAL ADDRESSES AND SERVICES. 23 
 
 the best of luisbands, and we liumbly invoke for the nation's 
 widow Thy continued succor and consolations. 
 
 And now, in this the hour of our sorrow, we pray for 
 Theodore Roosevelt, the President of the United States, that 
 his life may be precious in Thy siglit, and that Thou wilt 
 guard and defend him more effectually than detectives and 
 secret service men can do. So have in Thy holy keeping, 
 we beseech Thee, Thy servant, the Governor of our Com- 
 monwealth, Virginia. 
 
 Oh God, we pray with all prayer and supplication, stay 
 Thou the hand of blood ; stay Thou the arrows of anarchism 
 that are aimed at governors and rulers as targets all the 
 world over. And as the blessed Saviour upon the cross 
 didst pray for Thine enemies, saying "Forgive them, Father, 
 for they know not what they do," we are sure that Thou 
 wilt commend our prayer for the poor deluded wretch whose 
 fatal shot has torn our chief away from us, that while he 
 shall doubtless find no place for repentance to escape the 
 extreme penalty of human law, we commend him to and 
 invoke upon him from Thee Thy most gracious pity. 
 
 Oh God, bless our country, and especially at this hour of 
 grief and horror may the people universally be impressed to 
 good purposes with the brevity and uncertainty of life, and 
 as Thou hast taught us in Thy Word, we pray put us in fear, 
 oh Lord, that the nations may know themselves to be but men. 
 
 "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, 
 which according to His abundant mercy hath begotten us 
 again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ 
 from the dead, to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled, 
 and that fadeth not away." 
 
 May these precious words of Thine own inspiration cheer 
 as well the hearts and homes of many suffering and sorrow- 
 ing ones, who participate also in the added sorrow of this 
 solemn and affecting occasion. For Jesus' sake. 
 
24 MKMOIUAL AI>1>K1>S10S ANI> SKli VICES. 
 
 Tlie Lord's Prayer was chanted by a quartette 
 choir composed of Mrs. Jacob Reinhardt, Miss Effie 
 Cofer, Mr. F. AV. Cunningham and Mr. 11. T. Car- 
 doza; organist, Prof. Jacob Reinhardt. 
 
 Rev. Dr. Tudor: Amen. 
 
 Tlie quartette then sang the hymn, *' Lead, Kindly 
 Light." 
 
 Rev. Dr. Tudor read a Scripture lesson, selected 
 from the First Epistle of Paul to the Corinthians, 
 fifteenth chapter, and beginning with tlie fifty-lirst 
 verse. 
 
 Mr. F. W. Cunningham then sang the hymn, 
 ' ' Sometime We' 11 Understand. ' ' 
 
 ADDRESS OF REV. DR. TUDOR. 
 
 Mr. President, Gentlemen of the Convention, Lddies and Gentlemen : 
 A nation mourns. Tliere is a pall over the land from 
 lake to gulf, from sea to sea ; the flags drooj) at half mast ; 
 the deep-tliroated gun bellows its complaint; the bell t()n,ii:ue 
 is so lieavy with grief as that but slowly and at intervals 
 can it toll forth its tale of woe ; i)ublieand private buildinjjs, 
 marts imd homes, ai'c di'npi'd in iiKiiiniiiiL;- ; swert garlands 
 of salutation fall sadly and lii' erushrd and bU't-diny- under 
 the wheels that convey only the mortal ivmains of him tlu'y 
 would decorate and crown ; the pai^-es of the ])ress are as 
 
ME.MORIAL ADDRIOSSKS AND SERVICES. 2o 
 
 tlu)U,i>'h written with pens (lipi)ed in tears ; and the eoinitry 
 trembles for fear and horror of a secret foe. 
 
 As to the character of the man whose memory we honor 
 to-day, the hite President of the United States, permit me to 
 relate a minor incident of his administration of which I was 
 cognizant. A prominent man in his own city, and whose 
 pastor I had been, became involved with the port of customs 
 regulations of the land. There was a streak of innocent 
 verdancy in his trustful nature that sufficed in great part to 
 explain the transaction in the minds of those who knew him 
 best, and his character was not the least impaired in their 
 estimation. But there was trouble. Something must be 
 done. There was only one man who could come to the 
 rescue. Who has influence with the President? Send a 
 Bishop, send an influential Methodist layman. McKinley 
 is a Methodist. But the feeling was, and the significant 
 admission was also and very clearly delivered, it shall be of 
 no use to appeal to Mr. McKinley in the case unless you can 
 show him that his desired interposition is right, and not in 
 contravention of the law\ The release Avas accomplished, 
 and we may be sure it was right. Encomium is needless. 
 
 Mr. President and gentlemen of the Convention, ladies 
 and gentlemen, this is indeed the age of progress, and like 
 all of the greatest of the world's eras it is as well the age of 
 martyrdom. There have been martyrs recently in China ; 
 not a feW'. The twentieth century is not yet a year old, and 
 in this first of its years we are astounded by the slaughter of 
 the Innocent just as the infant year of our Christian era was 
 signalized by the slaughter of the Innocents, and by a hand 
 then as now, and now as then, raised against righteousness 
 and God. 
 
 McKinley stood for everything opposed to anarchy, to 
 nihilism, to unbelief, and to irreverence for God. Perhaps 
 the martyr was necessary. Perhaps the blood of the martyr 
 
2G mi;m(»kiai, ai>I)K1>si> ani> si;kvici>. 
 
 may ii(iiiri>li the sta-d-tlioii^ht of ctmvirt ion in the iiiinds, t'ai- 
 too many, of our American popiilatioii, tliat are utterly god- 
 less and skeptical, Sal)l)atli-l)reakin<i: and Uihk-liatin^', that 
 not only ai-c tlu-rc powci-s that l)t\ to which they aurei-, Imt 
 also, as His word teaclu's, that the ])ower> that he are or- 
 dained of ( iod ; that in our form of government tlu- iieople 
 are as well sulgeet as sovereign ; snl)ject to the lliirhest, the 
 Most Iligli ; and that the grand defense at last against the 
 most threatening speculative peril to our civilization, 
 namely, atheistic anarchism, is not to be found so much in 
 the laws which the coiuicils may he stinndated to enact for 
 repression of the evil, but in the prayer fulHlled, "Nearer, 
 My God, to Thee, Nearer to Thee — the sovereign. 
 
 "Sometime AVe'll Understand." We may not now be 
 able to comprehend the puq)ose ultimately to I>e accom- 
 j)lished by the martyrdom of William McKinlev, the noble 
 and universally beloved President of the United States. 
 But neither did the people understand why a man who 
 confessed himself to be in bodily presence weak and con- 
 tem})tible, a lowly fellow, gloried in his record "of the Jews 
 live times received I forty stripes save one. Thrice was I 
 beaten with rods, once was I stoned. ... In })erils by 
 mine own countrymen." But the ages since have understood 
 more signally than ever why Paul was the martyr. So shall we. 
 
 The great man has gone, and my last reflection shall be 
 that in the last sentence which dropped from his lips, taken 
 down carefully by the attending surgeon at his side and now 
 familiar to all, grandly (pioted by the President of the Con- 
 vention in his most impressive and affecting address, we see 
 and recognize ])lainly the truth of the words, "Death is 
 swallowed u|) in victory," a victory iiioi'i' brilliant thiin 
 when a jiroud nation, durini^- his administration, surrendci'cd 
 to tlie armies and navies of which the President was the 
 ( 'oinniander-in-( hief. 
 
MEMORIAL ADDRESSES AND SERVICES. 27 
 
 It is exceedingly meet that this Convention of the assem- 
 bled wisdom of our Commonwealth should suspend its labors 
 and interpose upon its record this "Inmemoriam" occasion. 
 The hearts of seventy million people to-day beat as one 
 heart. Virginia and Eichmond have before now welcomed 
 the distinguished guest, have been alert to do him honor 
 and to give him a reception worthy of his dignity and char- 
 acter ; have entertained him as long as he would stay. It 
 is the part of hospitality as well to speed the parting guest. 
 Therefore, drying our tears, for we have work to do during 
 the little while that we remain longer here on earth, we 
 may say. Go to thy rest, statesman, patriot, friend. Presi- 
 dent; we trusting that Thou hast received the guerdon of a true 
 humanity inscribed as concerning created man in the Psalm 
 to God, "Thou hast crowned him with glory and honor." 
 Now, will the entire congregation unite in singing, by 
 request of the choir, and with the common consent of all, 
 the hymn beginning "Nearer, my God, to Thee," found on 
 the leaflet distributed through the assembly ? 
 
 The hymn ''Nearer, my God, to Thee" was sung, 
 all present standing. 
 
 GOVERNOR TYLER'S ADDRESS. 
 
 The President: The Chair now presents Hon. J. 
 Hoge Tyler, Governor of the Commonwealth, who 
 will speak in behalf of the executive department. 
 
 Mr. President, Gentlemen of the Convention, Ladies and Gentlemen : 
 
 President McKinley often spoke of Virginia as the mother 
 
 of his State, and as the bosom of the daughter is open to 
 
2S MEMORIAL ADDRESSES AND SERVICES. 
 
 rc'crivi- his IhkIv to-day, we would liave the worhl to know 
 that \'ii>riiiians are trathiTt'd here in this liistoric hall to 
 give exi>ression to their sorrow and to do lionor to his name. 
 
 It is }>ro])er that this Convention of representative Vir- 
 ginians, ealled to frame an organic law for the Mother of 
 States, should ])ause in its hdx>rs, and inviting the assistance 
 of the heads of the State government, engage in solemn 
 memorial service while the body of our martyred President 
 is being consigned to the grave. 
 
 I desire to make acknowledgment of the i)rivilege accorded 
 me as the executive of the State to pay hinnble tribute to his 
 memory. T will make no attemjjt to pass eulogy on his life 
 or character. Others better fitted will recount his virtues as 
 a man, as a statesman and as an American. Nor will I speak 
 of the personal sadness stirred witiiin my breast. He was 
 my friend and the friend of my })eople. Ilis courtesy and 
 kindness and desire to help Virginia will not be forgotten. 
 He was a man without bitterness, whose life was crowned by 
 his ellort to abolish sectional lines and whose death cements 
 the completion of his cherished work. By his wise and 
 statesmanlike policy our people are brought closer together, 
 and the flag of our common country is made dearer to the 
 hearts of all. 
 
 Karely has a country been called to mourn the loss of a 
 chieftain so well l)eloved. 
 
 "Ilis life was gentle, and the elements 
 
 So mix'd in him tliat Nature might stand uj) 
 And say to all the world, 'This was a man.' " 
 
 A gallant soldier, lu" was inagnanimous to those less 
 favored by foi-tuiie. A man, noble, courteous and brave. A 
 husband, gentle, tender and true. A Christian, childlike 
 and devoJit, and even in the gathering shadows of death his 
 faith was steadfast and knew no wavcrin<r. Cut olT at the 
 
MEMORIAL ADDRESSES AND SERVICES. 29 
 
 zenith of his glory; shot down while the approving plaudits 
 of multitudes were ringing in his ears, he had no words save 
 those of acquiescence in the divine decree, and hushed the 
 moans of anguish in the prayer of "Not my will, but Thine, 
 be done." The scenes around his death-bed are ineffaceable. 
 Turning a longing look at the trees waving around his win- 
 dow, as if sighing for their shade once more, he murmured, 
 "Oh, how beautiful ! " and with the glorious light of an 
 immortal life resplendent on his brow, he said to her to 
 whom he had given a wealth of love and tenderness, "It is 
 God's way. Good-bye, good-bye." Immortal words that 
 will resound around the world and echo in every clime, 
 inspiring Christian hearts to perfect faith. His life was the 
 life of a patriot, his death was the death of a saint. 
 
 While our grief is made more poignant when we recall 
 those qualities of mind and heart with which William Mc- 
 Kinley was endowed, and remember those gentle attributes 
 which ever characterized him, there is something more than 
 a personal tribute in these widespread manifestations of sor- 
 row. In the tears of the people are the seeds of the nation's 
 strength. Behold what hath a generation wrought ! ^ The 
 sable drapery hangs around the stately columns of this old 
 building which once echoed with the noise of war, now 
 hushed in sadness ; the solenni toll of the bells in this the 
 capital city of the Confederacy— bells that once sounded 
 battle alarms now pealing forth their notes of sorrow; the 
 once angry growl of the cannon, now the melancholy moan 
 of the funeral gun, are alike emblems of sorrow for a fallen 
 chieftain and tributes to the enduring strength of the Union. 
 
 William McKinley was the agent chosen by Providence 
 to knit up the few strands of strife that remained from that 
 great struggle in which he had borne such a noble part. 
 How well he discharged his duty, and how fully he accom- 
 plished his work, is evidenced by the people of every section 
 
HO MKMOHIAI- Al)I>in:ssi>; AND >iEHVK'I->. 
 
 claspini,' hands across liis l)icr and ininj^ling their tears 
 around his tonil), Avliile their voices join in reciuienis at liis 
 grave. 
 
 Tiie greatest lumor i)ai(l to his iiiciiiory is in tiie l)o\\ed 
 lieads and grief-strii-l<en hearts of tiie old Confederates 
 assemhled here amid the ruins of their lioi)es, wliile with 
 unfeigned sorrow they moiini the loss of that illustrious man 
 who was President of all the people. Yes, his cherished 
 aml)ition was to bring the people of every section into closer 
 fellowship and union, and with generous hand he reached 
 out to the men of the South and made them feel that in the 
 great office of President partisan strife was forgotten. The 
 country has lost a beloved President, the South a true and 
 loval friend. 
 
 JUDGE CARDWELL'S ADDRESS. 
 
 The President: The Chair now presents tlie 
 Honorable Kichard H. Cardwell, member of the 
 Supreme Court of Appeals of Virginia, who will 
 represent the Judiciary Department: 
 
 3Ir. President : 
 
 It is melancholy satist'nct ion to ])articii)atc in these exer- 
 cises giving expression to the sorrow wides})read within the 
 borders of our Connnonwealth because of the dastardly and 
 brutal murder of our honored and belove<l President. It 
 would, however, have been far more ])referable to me to let my 
 presence alone bear testimony to my hcaity ap|)r(tval of this 
 gathering of our ))eople, and of the tril)Ute we pay to the 
 memory of the distinguished sul>jc-ct of these sei'vices. Mv 
 
MEMORIAL ADDRESSES AND SERVICES. 81 
 
 only regret in joining in this tribute is that my contribution 
 to it must necessarily be so unworthy of tlie occasion and of 
 him to whose memory it is offered. 
 
 I have to content myself, as the representative on this 
 occasion of one department of our State Government, with 
 expressing in a few sincere, heartfelt words the respect, 
 esteem and admiration felt by our people for Mr. McKinley 
 while living, and the profound grief caused by his untimely 
 death. These feelings, I am sure, are not confined to one 
 section or to one party, but are shared by all classes, wher- 
 ever honor, integrity, virtue and piety, such as marked the 
 character of the illustrious dead, are respected and vene- 
 rated. 
 
 The heavy drapery of woe darkens to-day alike the public 
 building, the stately mansion and the doorway of the humble 
 home ; the proud colors of the Union have drooped at half- 
 mast throughout the United States, and in all civilized 
 lands beneath the sun ; eloquence in the forum and at the 
 sacred desk will pay its richest tributes to his exalted abili- 
 ties and to the stainless character of William ]VIcKinley, 
 while the mighty multitude of mourners, by their bowed 
 heads, will bear witness to the deep love and grief with 
 which he will be lowered into his last earthly abode. 
 
 Bowing in humble submission to this afflicting dispensa- 
 tion, we are all led vividly to reflect that ' ' in the midst of 
 life we are in death ;" and to wonder at the inscrutable 
 decrees of Deity ; and with implicit faith in their wisdom, 
 which we are not permitted now to see, we cherish the hope 
 that to the great and good chieftain who has been stricken 
 down in the midst of a career of present and prospective 
 usefulness, and to those of his countrymen who remain, this 
 grievous event may be fraught with unseen blessings. 
 
 It has been said that it is almost impossible to estimate 
 the value to mankind of a great and good life. Custom and 
 
32 MEMORIAL ADDRESSES AND SERVICES. 
 
 exporioiK'O lias assiirncd prices to most of the treasures of the 
 worhl, l)iit no ilTort of the mind lias been able to measure 
 and determine the worth of a great character. While this, 
 Mr. President, is an accepted truth, the good results of the 
 life of such a man do not pass away with him, for a truly 
 great and good man never lives in vain, even if his objects 
 and aims in life are not all accomi)lished, and he be stricken 
 down when, from a human standpoint, he is more needed by 
 his countrymen than ever before. 
 
 That our martyred President was truly a great man, is 
 established by the fact that his administration of the office 
 of Chief Magistrate of the greatest government on earth for 
 more than four years has proved him worthy to rule over 
 his people, and whose confidence, love and esteem he won 
 at the start and Avould have retained to the end of his 
 official life had he been spared from the assaults of the 
 enemies of civilized government, which should have no 
 place within our borders. 
 
 That he was a truly good man, is equally well established. 
 From the beginning of his public life to its end success 
 attended him. It mattered not in what situation he was 
 placed, he met its requirements with ability, with dignity, 
 with courage, and with clean-hearted and clean-handed 
 integrity. He ascended the temple of fame step by step to 
 its very summit, yet there was not one blot, or stain, or 
 shadow upon his robes. Nothing but great intellectual 
 ability, high moral excellence, invariable devotion to duty 
 and unwavering faith in the rectitude of his purposes, could 
 have achieved and maintained sncli results, lie bore open 
 and public testimony on all proper occasions to his reliance 
 upon the teachings of Christianity for the advancement of 
 civilization, and for the happiness of mankind. In his 
 private life he exemplified the beautiful virtues of his 
 religion. The qualities and traits of his character will be 
 
MEMORIAL ADDRESSES AND SERVICES. 33 
 
 an interesting and instructive study to the young statesmen 
 of our country. 
 
 The people of our Southland, without regard to political 
 party affiliations, aj^preciate in the highest degree his patriotic 
 and effective efforts to obliterate whatever there was left of 
 old prejudices between the sections, and without appreci- 
 ating unduly less the efforts of others in that direction, will 
 hold to the opinion that he did more to bring about kindly 
 feeling betw^een all sections and to make permanent our 
 peace, than any other one man who has been in public life 
 since the peace and harmony of the Union was disrupted 
 over forty years ago. 
 
 In the open grave that will receive to-day all that is 
 mortal of AVilliam McKinley, the tears of the people of all 
 sections of our country will mingle, and, with hearts throb- 
 bing in sorrow that he is no more the true and loyal citizen 
 of all classes and localities, will thank God for his life and 
 character, and as long as American history treasures up 
 pure lives and faithful public services ; as long as public 
 and private virtue, stainless and withbut blemish, is revered, 
 so long will his name be cherished by the American people 
 as an example Avorthy of the highest emulation. 
 
 HON. HENRY T. WICKHAM'S ADDRESS. 
 
 The President: The Chair now introduces Hon. 
 Henry T. Wickham, President pro tempore of the 
 Senate of Virginia, who will represent the legislative 
 department on this occasion. 
 
 Mr. President, Gentlemen of the Convention, Ladies and Gentlemen: 
 
 If, as we fondly hope, it is permitted to the spirits of the 
 
 blest to know the result of the good they do while on earth, 
 
34 MEMORIAL ADDRESSES AND SERVICES. 
 
 I feel sure I may, without offending any canon of good taste 
 on sucli an occasion as this, point out some features in the 
 life and death of "William McKinley which have rendered 
 him more potent for good than any man who has adorned 
 public life in America in recent years. 
 
 Could his spirit advise us now, I am sure he would wlsli 
 us to derive good even from the great sorrow into which (uir 
 entire people is plunged. And the best way to secure this 
 benefit, and thus pay that tribute which would be the most 
 grateful and pleasing to him, is for us to draw that lesson 
 from his life and death that he would wish, and to profit by 
 it. AVhat is that lesson ? 
 
 I have been asked to speak here on behalf of the Cieneral 
 Assembly of Virginia, but the answer to that question 
 involves the hope of mankind. The governments of earth 
 are but instruments subordinate to the Christian religion 
 Avhereby the hope of mankind may be attained. The Legis- 
 lature of Virginia, in the presence of death, resolves itself 
 back into its individual membership in the brotherhood of 
 mankind ; and each member, feeling the deepest veneration 
 for the memory of William McKinley, must answer that 
 question as best he can. Speaking, therefore, in that 
 capacity, the answer I would give is, "Let me live the life 
 of the righteous, and may my end be like his." 
 
 It is given to but few to attain the high position achieved 
 by William McKinley while in life, but it is within the 
 power of the humblest man to say, "See how a Christian can 
 die." 
 
 Recall for a moment the final scenes of the great of the 
 earth who have preceded the President. Take the long line 
 of Presidents, all of whom, save one, have i)assed through 
 the valley of the shadow of death ; call back to memory the 
 final ])arting of the rulers of nations and the chiefs of gov- 
 ernments from the scene of their jjower, their hopes and 
 
MEMORIAL ADDRESSES AND SERVICES. 35 
 
 their fears, and, what is more, and most of all, of their affec- 
 tions. History does not record any sublimer words than "It 
 is God's way; His will, not ours, be done." 
 
 Many rulers of earth have gone before him ; many have 
 awakened feelings of the deepest grief and sentiments of the 
 profoundest affection ; many have aroused lasting feelings of 
 admiration for their courage and veneration for their char- 
 acter ; but of none of these have I ever heard or read where 
 these feelings of grief, affection, admiration and veneration 
 were more profoundly stirred. And yet, blended with all 
 these, the light of faith shines forth as rays from the star of 
 hope to guide men to that haven where we do believe his 
 spirit rests. 
 
 I shall not attempt any extended review of the life of our 
 lamented President, for he was our President. 
 
 The President of a united country, he knew no section ; 
 and under his wise and splendid administration the men of 
 the South rallied to the ensign of the government with a 
 patriotic ardor unsurpassed in any other portion of our great 
 country. Why did they do this ? Because they knew and 
 trusted him. And they trusted because throughout a life 
 passed in the rays cast by the great searchlight of publicity 
 he had done no act, either in a private or a public station, 
 that misbecame a man ; because no speech — nay, not a single 
 word — of his was ever uttered save wliat became a noble 
 heart. 
 
 He had no enemy deserving the name of man. His life 
 was spent in rivalries, but he aroused in the hearts of his 
 opponents only the admiration and true joy of the real war- 
 rior. In him there was no bitterness and no rancor, "but 
 ever in his right hand he carried gentle peace to silence 
 envious tongues." 
 
 When the tidings came to his great rival, the great leader 
 from the West, who twice competed with him for the Presi- 
 
:>() .MK.MOKIAI, Al)l>Ui:<SI>; AND SKKVK ^>;. 
 
 (Kiifv, In- >;;ivc' way tn l\\v W-vViuv:^ whic-li overimwiTt'd liiui ; 
 he c-oiild not restrain his tears, and hastened to \y,\y a lul'tv 
 and hc-eoininii: ti-il»Mte to the virtues of the man and the ehar- 
 aeter ot' the i-ulei". 
 
 And io-(hiy all true men of all parties unite in these ser- 
 viees throu.<,diout the length and lireadtli of this mii^dity 
 eountry, whieh is our iuheritanee forever, with a spontaneity 
 and a depth of feelin»^whieh })r()ves that all of us are howed 
 by sentiments of personal sorrow and personal loss. 
 
 I trust it may not he deemed invidious should I say that 
 while our entire country is plunged in sorrow, yet here in 
 the South that feeling seems most notable. It is because we 
 felt liira to be our friend, as true to us as he would be to any 
 other portion of the hunl, and that he was laboring to the 
 end that all men might be even as he was in that regard. 
 May the spirit of McKinley animate all true men, and may 
 his example bring to a united country the l)lessings he so 
 earnestly strove to bestow. 
 
 It has sometimes been said by those who doubt the [)ur- 
 poses and plan of the all-wise Creator, that mankind has 
 gone backward, and that the race luis deteriorated ; that tlie 
 present age is one of skepticism and degeneration, and that 
 the future will develop a world that, having culminated in 
 all that is good and great, will by degrees decline until the 
 civilization of Christianity reverts to the mysticism of the 
 East. These men hold that the spirit of individualism has 
 met the powers of collectivism and has been overcome ; that 
 the battle of the future is between the extremes of collectiv- 
 ism, and that, whichever side may triumph, the power of 
 the collective mass will forever dominate and crush the lib- 
 erties of the pt-opU-. 
 
 The example set by the life and death of Williaiu Mc- 
 Kinley will <-omfort and sustain those of us who maintain 
 that the footsteps of maid^ind are still upon those pahu-e 
 
MEMORIAL ADDRESSES AND SERVICES. ,J7 
 
 Stairs which slope forever upward, through all time to 
 come, from earth to those bright halls, where a crown of 
 glory awaits alike the lowest as the highest of those who can 
 say with him, *' Thy will, not ours, be done." The race has 
 not deteriorated. God does not mean that it shall. 
 
 Who of human beings has been purer in his domestic life 
 than our dead President? Who has been more intellectual? 
 Who has been kinder or more gentle to all men? AVho has 
 achieved a higher position among his fellows? Who has 
 faced death more calmly? Who better lived up to the teach- 
 ing of the Saviour of mankind, striving to follow His example 
 even in the hour of the bitterness of death and the prayer, 
 ''Father, forgive them; they know not Avhat they do." 
 Why, in all the mortal anguish that seized him, not one 
 word of bitterness has passed his lips, even toward the wretch 
 that took his life ? 
 
 His first thought was for his wife — his devoted wife, whose 
 tender tribute of affection given so artlessly at New Orleans 
 touched the hearts of the people, and gave them a glimpse 
 of the happiness, the perfect and unbroken happiness, in 
 which their married life was passed. She said that ]\Ir. Mc- 
 Kinley would at the end of his term come home to live and 
 would belong to her ; that now she had to share him with 
 his country, but then she could have him to herself. His 
 first thought was of her. "Cortelyou, don't let her know," 
 were his first words after receiving his death blow. 
 
 The next thought that came was when his assailant was 
 seized by the infuriated crowd : ' ' Don' t let any one hurt 
 him." Then this patient, unselfish gentleman, that his fond 
 wife described him, expressed his sorrow that he had been 
 the cause of bringing trouble on the wonderful Exposition 
 that the people of the beautiful city of Buffalo were so deeply 
 interested in. 
 
 And when the final farewell was spoken to the dear one, 
 
;?s 
 
 ^FEMOKIAL ADDRESSES AND SERVICES. 
 
 \vli(. from vdiitli had >liaiv«l his joy and liis sorrow, hohliiif,' 
 lirr hand in his, he thon^dit iir could hcst conilort her l>v his 
 own U-\w faith, and he ntteml tiiose suldinio words whieli 
 will make him immortal, here and hereafter: " It is (iod's 
 way. His will, not ours, he done." 
 
 No, the raee has not deteriorated, and asOod lives He 
 does not mean it to. 
 
 "The evil that men do lives after them. The good is 
 oft interred together with their Ixmes." 
 
 Knt I do l)elieve that the all-wise Providence will permit 
 the memory of William McKinley to be crowned on earth 
 by the blessing of the jieople of his own beloved country for 
 the example he lias set them in his life and in his death. 
 
 In very truth they will say of him : 
 
 "lie truly, in a generous, honest thought 
 Of common good to all, strove for his country's weal ; 
 His life was gentle ; and the elements 
 So mix'd in him that Nature might stand up 
 And say to all the world, ' This was a man ! ' " 
 
 It is very right, meet, and our bounden duty to assemble, 
 under the circumstances which surround us, to set forth, so 
 that they may be known to all men, the feelings which ani- 
 mate us. The hearts of seventy-five million of Christian 
 l)eople are drawn very close together now. The President 
 wished and labored that the hearts of the j)eople might be 
 united, lie little thought — no one ever thought— that ( iod 
 would select this way to accomplish the desired end. Ihit 
 the blood of the President may cement the Union, God 
 grant that it may. To this extent 1 feel that T can voice the 
 sentiments of the ( ieneral Assemblv of N'irsjinia. 
 
MEMORIAL ADDRESSES AND SERVICES. 39 
 
 ADDRESS OF REV. RICHARD McILWAINE, D. D., 
 
 DELEGATE FROM PRINCE EDWARD. 
 
 Mr. President and Gentlemen of the Convention, Ladies and 
 Gentlemen : 
 
 I remember distinctly that when I was quite a youth, I 
 heard in my native city of Petersburg, on the occasion of 
 the death of a distinguished and highly honored citizen of 
 the United States, a thrilling discourse by an eloquent min- 
 ister of the Gospel, based on the text, "Cease ye from man, 
 whose breath is in his nostrils, for wherein is he to be 
 accounted of." 
 
 A world-renowned preacher, Avhen called to declare the 
 will of God to man before the court of France, as he rose in 
 the pulpit of Notre Dame and looked around on royalty in 
 all its blazonry of splendor, and the nobility of the king- 
 dom, its lords and ladies, and pomp and circumstance 
 stretched out before him in glory and magnificence, paused 
 and seemed lost in contemplation, and then began a dis- 
 course which has survived the lapse of time, with the im- 
 pressive words, "There is nothing great, but God : there is 
 nothing terrible, but judgment." 
 
 As we are gathered here to-day at a time when men are 
 usually engaged in secular work ; as this Convention has 
 interrupted its ordinary course of proceedings and by resolu- 
 tion is assembled for religious worship ; as throughout our 
 common country our fellow-citizens have forsaken their 
 accustomed avocations and betaken themselves to the house 
 of God in recognition of a common sorrow and in obeisance 
 to the Lord of Lords and the King of Kings, it behooves us 
 to bow humbly and reverently before His throne and 
 acknowledge Him Lord of All. 
 
4(» MF.MORIAI. ADDRESSES AND SERVICES. 
 
 lVrliai)s iK'vrr in the history of mankind lias there been 
 more heart-felt and nniversal «i:rief than diirin"^ the past 
 days preeedino; -And following the death of the honored and 
 beloved Chief Magistrate of the Kepublie. All parties, all 
 creeds, all peoples thronghout Christendom ; the potentates 
 of earth in common with those who till humble positions in 
 society ; all, with the excejjtion of a few enemies of man- 
 kind, sit together under the shadow of a common grief and 
 cry out to ( iod for help. 
 
 To me, this fact has great significance. Not oidy does it 
 bear witness impressively, as nothing else could do, to the 
 noble character and exalted worth and illustrious service of 
 our lamented dead, but over and above and beyond this, it 
 implies that deep down in the constitution of the human 
 soul there are noble and generous instincts that on occasion 
 rise superior to minor differences of opinion, break asunder 
 the shackles of sect and party, and assert the existence 
 within us, amid all the weakness and sinfulness of our 
 nature, of the Divine spark of justice and truth and right 
 which has not been wholly extinguished. 
 
 We learn from classic history that the people of l\ome 
 were wrought up to the point of frenzied enthusiasm when 
 an impassioned orator stood before them and cried out in 
 their hearing, ^^ Homo mm: hum'ini nihil a me alienum 
 piito'^ ("I am a man and I deem nothing i)ertaining to man 
 foreign to me" ) ; and so to-day we find ourselves in com- 
 mon with our fellow-citl/ens throu.uhout this l)roa(l land 
 and our fellow-men throughout the world, laying our tribute 
 of reverential homage on the bier of our (Icpartcii chieftain, 
 acknowledginghis virtues and holding him up as an example 
 of all that is good and great in American citizenship and 
 in human nature. 
 
 (rentleiiu'ii of t he Convent ion, this is well, l)ut it is not 
 alh and does not I'Xpress the full signilic:ince of this occa- 
 
MEMORIAL ADDRESSES AND SERVICES. 41 
 
 sion. If, assembled here, we content ourselves with magni- 
 fying the dead, however justly and truthfully, and fail to 
 gather lessons of wisdom and grace from his life of consecra- 
 tion, and his death of faith and hope, we have missed the 
 crowning lesson of the sad event which has brought us 
 together, and are engaged in a heathen rather than a 
 Christian service. 
 
 There are, gentlemen of tlie Convention, some trite and 
 commonphice instructions to be drawn from the momentous 
 crisis through which we are passing, and the circumstances 
 which have brought it about, which I should fail in duty did 
 I omit to call to your attention, and the neglect of which 
 would leave you without the benefit which ought to be 
 derived from this solemn service. It is true that these 
 lessons are not infrequently impressed in our experience of 
 life from other sources, but seldom, perhaps, so forcefully 
 and imperiously as at present. We do well, therefore, to 
 consider carefully and lay to heart to-day the warnings, 
 the admonitions, the instructions which are tided in upon us 
 this sad hour. 
 
 Bear with me, Mr. President and gentlemen, as I stand 
 here not merely as one of your number, jjermitted to voice 
 your feelings on this great occasion, but also as a minister of 
 Christ, whose duty it is to speak the truth in His name, to 
 draw from the Providential dispensation which rests uj^on 
 ns, and present, as best I can, some simple lessons, in simple 
 language, for our common instruction and use. Ah, it Avill 
 be a sad thing if a single one of us passes through these 
 scenes untaught and unblessed. Let us, then, one and all, 
 give solenni heed to the voice of God as he speaks to us to- 
 day and, having heard, let us determine that by His 
 gracious help, we will live up to the teachings He gives. 
 
 Perhaps the most obvious and universally accepted lesson 
 which has been borne in on our minds bv the sad series of 
 
•1- MK.MoniAT. ADDRER^KS AND SFllVTrES. 
 
 cvt'iits throu.-li which ur liavc i)ass(.'cl is (.ir- that has alivadv 
 been alhult-d to, the uncertainty of life— a lessen Icanu-d, 
 indeed, t'ntin many other sources, l»nt, alas, how sadlv iieu- 
 leeted ! We know that man is Ix.rn to die ; we know tliat 
 death may meet us anywliere and at any time, and yet Ikjw 
 prone we are to pnt tiie tlionj^^ht away from us and to go 
 heedlessly on in reckless indifference to the future. Men 
 deem all men mortal hut tliemselves. To-day God speaks to 
 us with a voice loud as the thunder of the skies and impress- 
 ive as the grave and eternity, and says : "Oo to now, ye that 
 say, to-day or to-morrow we will go into such a city, and 
 continue there a year, and huy and sell, and get gain ; 
 whereas ye know not what shall he on the morrow. For 
 what is your life ? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a 
 little time and then vanisheth away. For that ye ought to 
 say, If the Lord will, we shall live, and do this, or that." 
 Our beloved chieftain, who a few days ago was in the fullness 
 of manly vigor, with the prospect of prolonged and honored 
 usefulness, now lies in the cold embrace of death, and from 
 his voiceless tenement of clay comes the message : " Prepare 
 to meet thy God." "Let every day be spent in His fear and 
 His service." 
 
 Another lesson which comes to us to-day from the life and 
 ilcatii of our lamented President is that we ought to cultivate 
 and cherish a spirit of broad charity and humanity, of kind- 
 ness and forbearance towards our fellow-men, a disposition to 
 accord to our fellow-citizens of every degree what rightfully 
 belongs to them, while at the same time we strenuously assert 
 and maintain our own I'ights, inherited and justly accpiired. 
 11' there is an instruction which comes to us from the lif(> and 
 death of William McKinlcy, tlu' houe>t man, the exalted 
 l):itriot, the illustrious cliieltain, it is this. 
 
 It is not contended that at the beginning or during tlie 
 earlier |.art of his political career he had reached this high 
 
MEMORIAL ADDRESSES AND SERVICES. 48 
 
 altitude. Exalted character is not the creation of a day, nor 
 is it produced by leaps and bounds, but it is of gradual for- 
 mation under the inspiration of nol)le principles and high 
 ideals. It presupposes and involves manful struggle, 
 thoughtful effort, voluntary self-sacrifice, large-heartedness 
 and absolute truthfulness. You cannot have character with- 
 out that. Its acquisition is slow and gradual, and after 
 conquest upon conquest only is finally complete, and when 
 complete its possessor stands before the world the noblest 
 •work of God, the ideal of humanity — the only perfect 
 exemplar of which is our Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of Mary, 
 the Son of God. And perhaps at the time of his death he 
 whom we honor to-day had approached as near this point as 
 any living man. 
 
 It is told of Alexander the Great that Avhen he was about 
 to enter on the conquest of the East, the philosopher, Aris- 
 totle, the instructor of his youth, made bold to advise him 
 to crush out the alien nations that lay in his path, but to 
 treat with leniency the Greek peoples Avith whom he should 
 meet ; to which the conqueror, wiser than his teacher, made 
 the noble response, ' ^ It is not my mission to crush and to 
 destroy, but to unite and reconcile the nations of the earth. ' ' 
 
 Such seems to have been the spirit of our departed hero 
 in private life and in tlie administration of the affairs of his 
 country, and under this patriotic and Christian policy he did 
 much to bring all parts of our hitherto disunited country to 
 the indulgence of mutual respect and into bonds of cordial 
 fraternity. 
 
 Shall his generous example be lost ? Shall we not cherish 
 and honor it, and in our private and public relations endeavor 
 to come up to this high ideal ? It was the great Justinian 
 who gave to the world the following definition of justice : 
 '^Justitia est constans ef perpetua voluntas cuique suiun tribitendi^^ 
 (" Justice is the constant and perpetual good-will to give to 
 
[\ MKMOKIAL ADDItKSSES AND SKRVKTS. 
 
 c'verv man what hflonj^.s to liiiu"). lluiulrcds of years 
 before Justinian, an inspired propliet, speakinj^ in the name 
 of (iod, had said. "lie that shewed tliee, <) man, what is 
 .U'ood : and what doth the Lord re(|uire of thee, l)Ut to (h> 
 justly, and to love mercy and to walk huml)ly with thy 
 God?" Thus we have this day hrouijht to otir ears and 
 impressed on our liearts the same important lesson from four 
 very diverse sources ; from the life and death of one of the 
 nol)lest of Americans ; from the gracious though ephemeral 
 outburst of the conqueror of the world ; from tiie pen of a 
 renowned Roman jurist, and from the everlasting Word of 
 the everlasting God. Oh, let not the appeal be without 
 effect on your hearts and lives. 
 
 Tlie only other lesson which I shall venture to bring to 
 your attention is found in the answer to the incjuiry, "What 
 was the basic principle on which, as a foundation of ada- 
 mant, the reverent and ui)right character of William 
 McKinley rested? What is the adequate exidanation of his 
 inflexible justice, his broad-minded charity, his undeviating 
 adherence to what he thought riglit, his pure-heartedness 
 and devout patriotism? What was it that made him the 
 man that he was, that in life won for him the affectionate 
 regard and confidence of those who knew him, and that at 
 his death sent coursing througliout our great republic and 
 all around the world, along witli the thrill of horror at the 
 dastardly act which laid him low, an unbroken wave of 
 deepest distress, which tilled all hearts with sadness and all 
 eyes witli tears? lias such a spectacle ever l)een beheld 
 before in the history of the world? IvxiiJain it! Make 
 reply to your own souls I 
 
 To me, the answer is evident. 1 have not far to go to 
 find a satisfying explanation of what he was while living, 
 and of what he is to his countrynnii and inankiml, now that 
 he is dead. "lie that dwelleth in the secret phu'e of the 
 
i\rK:\r()RiAL addresses and services. 45 
 
 Most Higli shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty." 
 lie drew the inspiration of his life from eonverse with the 
 throne of Heaven. He was an avowed and honest believer 
 in the Lord Jesus Christ. He accepted the Scriptures of 
 the Old and New Testaments as the guide of his life. Their 
 doctrines were the sheet anchor of his soul ; their com- 
 mandments were a lamp to his feet. He could say with the 
 Psalmist, " The Lord is my light and my salvation ; whom 
 shall I fear? The Lord is the strength of my life ; of whom 
 shall I be afraid?" The teachings and example of Jesus 
 were the rule of his conduct, and walking in the ways of 
 truth and holiness, he went by degrees from strength to 
 strength, growing in grace and in the knowledge of his (iod 
 and Saviour ; and in the practice of what he saw to be true 
 and right and good, he became the man that he was, the 
 ruler that he was — the saint that he is. 
 
 But he has gone from us. While we are engaged in this 
 service, the last sad tribute of respect is being paid to his 
 mortal remains as they are being consigned to the tomb by 
 his kinspeople and friends. "Earth to earth, dust to dust, 
 ashes to ashes." But, oh, what a precious thought that 
 "to be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord ;" 
 for says the seer, ' ' And I heard a voice from Heaven saying 
 unto me, write. Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord 
 from henceforth ; yea, saith the spirit, that they may rest 
 from their labors and their works do follow them. ' ' 
 
 Mr. President and gentlemen of the Convention, in bring- 
 ing these desultory remarks to a close, how can I better 
 repay the genial kindness that I have received at your 
 hands since we have been assembled here, than by indulging 
 and expressing the fervent wish and hope that every one of 
 us may possess like precious faith with William McKin- 
 ley, and that by the aid of Heavenly grace, we may be 
 enabled to fill the several spheres of activity allotted to us 
 
4tl .MEMORIAL ADDRESSES AND SERVICES. 
 
 so wisi'ly and wvU, that when the suniinons comes to join 
 tin- ranks of tlu' innuincrahk- tk-parted, each shall enjoy tlif 
 contidence and iv^Mrd of his fellowmen, and hear the wcl- 
 cuine plaudit, "Well done, <;ood and faithful .servant." 
 
 ADDRESS OF DELEGATE J. H. INGRAM. 
 
 Mr. I'rtsidtni, Menilji'rsoft/ie Convention, LadieHund Genflnnrn : 
 This is a time so freighted with sorrow and sadness to the 
 American people tiiat the lips fail to express the depth of 
 the nation's sympathy. Never hefore in the history of this 
 Kepublic has there been greater grief at the death of any 
 man. It is not confined to sections. The tears of a sorrow- 
 ing public have blotted out all imaginary lines that are 
 supposed to divide this people. The voice of the South 
 unites in lamentations witii that of the North, the East and 
 the West, and the mourners throng all the streets of every 
 city, town and handet of the American States. It is not 
 confined to this country alone. The waters of the Atlantic, 
 as wide and majestic as they are, the deep and broad waters 
 of the Pacific, neither are impassable to this mild and gentle 
 symi)athy. It is universal. Crowned head and i>easant shed 
 alike the pitying tear. 
 
 The same wire that carried to our government at Wash- 
 ington the condolence of England's great King, of Germany's 
 Emperor, and of tlie other monarchs and rulers of Europe, 
 brought the message that the head of the holy Roman Cath- 
 olic Church, the aged Pope, was bowe(l down with urief at 
 the- death of our beloved President. It is not (diitiued to 
 sect or creed. Wherever there is sense there is shame at the 
 assassin's foul deed, and wherever there is a human heart 
 thei-e is human sorrow. Tlie songs of all the peojile I'Very- 
 
MEMORIAL ADDllESSES AND SERVICES. 47 
 
 wliere, in every land and in every eliine, are attuned to 
 funeral dolours ratlier than to l)ridal earols. 
 
 "Man's inlunnanity to man 
 Makes countless thousands mourn." 
 
 The public life and public utterances of iSlr. .McKiidey 
 are a part of the nation's history. With his views on great 
 political questions we did not always agree, but with one 
 accord his personal life and character endeared him to us 
 all. He was a friend of the South, and displayed towards 
 our section a love and a desire to see us again occupy the 
 proud position in governmental affairs which it had been the 
 privilege of the South to enjoy from the earliest days of the 
 Kepublic to the time of the Civil War. For this we of the 
 South can never forget him. 
 
 During his life as the Chief Magistrate of our common, 
 and by his kind offices, I hope, reunited country, he 
 
 "Hath borne his faculties so meek, hath been 
 So clear in his great offices, that his virtues 
 Will plead like angels, trumpet-tongued, against 
 The deep damnation of his taking-off ; 
 And pity, like a naked new-born babe. 
 Striding the blast, or Heaven's cherubim, liorsed 
 Upon the sightless couriers of the air. 
 Shall blow the horrid deed in every eye, 
 That tears shall drown the wind." ' 
 
 His administration has been in one particular the most 
 marked from Washington's time to the present. Foreign 
 territory has been acquired by conquest in the Orient, and 
 the American armies have forced their way to the very por- 
 tals of China's distant capital. The cruel hands of Spanish 
 tyranny have been made to let go their hold on the throat 
 of the Queen of the Antilles, and Cuba is free, certainly from 
 further punishment from the avarice and cruelties of Spain, 
 
4M MKMOItlAl, ADDItKSSKS AND SF.KVrcKS. 
 
 TlifSL' arc soiiu' of the tliin.us iliat will i.'()nnc'ct his name 
 and fame for all tiiiu- to c-oine with the destinies of the 
 American Rej)ul)lic. It is not for us to discnss tlic wisdom 
 or unwisdom of these polit'lt-s. It is neither the time noi- 
 till' |)lai'(.' for snc-h discussion. 
 
 in the character of a private gentleman no man of his 
 time was more admired by those who knew him than Mr. 
 McKinley. All wlio have ever seen him concur in hearing 
 testimony to the charms of his manner and tlie courtly grace 
 of his deportment. This was not the result of an artiticial 
 polish ; his politeness flow^ed naturally from a kind, true 
 heart. "In his right hand he ever carried gentle jieace to 
 silence envious tongues." 
 
 The language used with respect to the life and death of 
 another of our Presidents, killed under very similar circmii- 
 stances, is peculiarly appro})riate : 
 
 "Great in life, he was surpassingly great in death. For 
 no cause, in the very frenzy of wantonness and wickedness, 
 by the red hand of murder, he was thrust from the full tide 
 of this world's interest, from its hoi)es, its aspirations, its 
 victories, into the visible presence of Death, and he did not 
 quail. What blight and ruin met his anguished eyes whose 
 lips may tell? What brilliant, broken plans ! What Iniflled 
 high ambition ! What sundering of strong, warm, man- 
 hood's friendships I What bitter rending of sweet household 
 ties ! Beiiind him a proud, expectant nation ; a great host 
 of sustaining friends ; a cherished and happy, though frail 
 and delicate, wife, the dearer to him because of her weak- 
 ness. IJefore him (Isolation and yreat dai-kut'ss, and his 
 soul was n(jt shakt'u. His countrymen wert' thi-illed with 
 instant profound and universal sympathy. Masterful in his 
 mortal weakness,»he became the centt-r of a nation's love 
 enshrined in the prayers of the world. I^ut all the love and 
 all the sympathy could not shai-ewith him li is siitTeriug. He 
 
MEMORIAL ADDRESSP:S AND SERVICES. 4<) 
 
 trod tlie wine-press alone. AVitli unfaltering front he faced 
 death ; with unfailing tenderness he took leave of life. 
 Above the demoniac hiss of tlie assassin's bullet he lieard 
 the voice of God. With simple resignation lie bowed to the 
 divine decree." 
 
 And as his great soul took its heavenly flight it was to the 
 music of his own voice, as he chanted and murnuired the 
 words of that beautiful hymn, " Nearer, my God, to Tliee." 
 
 ''Let us believe that his dying eyes read a mystic mean- 
 ing Avhich only the rapt and parting soul may know. Let 
 us believe that in the silence of the receding world lie heard 
 the great waves breaking on a farther shore, and felt already 
 upon his wasted brow the breath of the eternal morning." 
 
 ADDRESS OF DELEGATE THOMAS L. MOORE. 
 3Ir. President : 
 
 We are assembled to-day in the shadow of a great na- 
 tional sorrow. Bowed with grief, Columbia is kneeling by 
 the bier of her beloved and distinguished dead. The hand 
 of the assassin has done its work too well, and all that is 
 mortal of William McKinley lies cold and stark in the 
 embrace of death. 
 
 At a moment like this, we can but reflect upon the vir- 
 tues of the departed and wonder why an unknowable 
 Providence has visited upon us what seems to be a great 
 national calamity. 
 
 I feel that any oral expression will but feebly portray the 
 great loss we sustain and grief we feel. The silent evidences 
 of these are plainly visible on every hand in this historic 
 city, and in every hamlet and home in the land. They 
 speak more eloquently and touchingly than pen or tongue. 
 
")0 Mi;.M(»i:iAL ADDICKSSKS AND SKHVICKS. 
 
 It was l)iit yostcnlay lu' stood Miiioni,^ us, our trustt-il cliief- 
 taiiK a sturdy «,Maiu and Icadi-r of uifii, lioldin*; firmly iu liis 
 gra.sp till' alTairs of unv nation, honored and loved by his 
 people because of his goodness and greatness. 
 
 It' exemplary life and nnselfisli service to his fellow-man 
 could have given to any one immunity from tlie assassin's 
 liand, that man would have been Mr. McKinley. His 
 whole life was an o[)en l)Ook to the world, with never a blot 
 to mar a single page. 
 
 He was of a generation now fast passing away, yet the 
 high noon of his distinguished public career shone brightly 
 about us to tlie tragic moment of liis death. He lived 
 through that troublous period in which our fair land was 
 deluged by the blood of many of her noblest sons, and it 
 was his lot to take part in the stirring events of that time ; 
 but when he sheathed his sword at the end of that memora- 
 ble struggle there was no man who tried harder or did more 
 to unite the contending sections of our country than did he. 
 None welcomed more heartily the white-winged angel of 
 peace, and no man did more to repair the ravages wrought 
 by war. 
 
 Tlie restoration he strove for was of a two-fold i-liarai-ter. 
 He sought to re})air the material losses we had sustained ; 
 but most of all his life-work was devoted to a restoration of 
 good feeling and good fellowship betwixt those who wore 
 the blue and those Avho wore the gray. It was his great 
 desire that there should be no North and no South in na- 
 tional sentiment, and that the spiiit of animosity that at one 
 time existed as the natural concomitant of contending 
 factions and the din and (dash of arms, should l)e forever 
 
 " In the deep bosom of the ocean buried." 
 
 On one occasion he expressed the beautiful thouuht that 
 
MEMORIAL ADDRKSSKS AND SERVICES. 51 
 
 when lie should he huried he hoped tlie last vesti.^•e of sec- 
 tional animosity should have heen huried l)efore him. 
 
 We are taught that an All-Wise Providence sullVrs all 
 things to he that good may result. While this is a strange 
 philosophy and hard to understand, yet there may he truth 
 in it, and while we are howed down to-day under our great 
 bereavement, I believe it will have the effect of bringing all 
 our people more closely together. I think it will he the 
 means of causing us to here and now dedicate our lives anew 
 to the perpetuation of those broad principles of rei)ublican 
 government that we hope to transmit, unsullied, to posterity. 
 I believe that we will rise from our grief to-day with a 
 greater determination to defend and i)eri)etuate our republi- 
 can institutions. 
 
 Mr, McKinley's life was a shining example to which we 
 may safely point the youth of the land. It was a life we 
 should be proud to emulate. 
 
 As a soldier, he responded promptly to the call to arms in 
 defense of the flag ; and as a citizen and statesman, his fair 
 escutcheon is without spot or blemish. 
 
 When we come to speak of him as a faithful and devoted 
 husband, we know that the ground whereon we tread is 
 sacred. His devotion to mother, wife and home, are but to 
 be mentioned to inspire all lovers at home-making with that 
 tender inspiration without which home would be but an 
 empty name. 
 
 During his whole life he was a faithful and devoted Chris- 
 tian. His was a religion he carried with him in all the 
 walks of life— on the field of battle, in the affairs of state ; 
 and when the icy fingers of death were upon him he found 
 comfort and consolation in it, and exclaimed, "It is His 
 will, not ours, that will be done." 
 
 Mr. President, long will live the name of William 
 McKinlev. It is to-dav enshrined in the hearts of his 
 
•»- MK.MiiItlAI. ADDKKSSKS ANIt SKK V KKS. 
 
 I'lumtrviiU'ii : it will he inscribed on marhU' sl:il» :iii(l tuwrr 
 iii.i,' inoimimiit. ami it willaddi-n the tain-st pat^a-sof liistdry, 
 W(.' can Imt say : 
 
 '* i-'aivwi'll t(» tlu'c, (ir tn that part which dies; 
 But t»t thy name and l)ri<i^ht, iiniR-rishahk' fame, 
 We eannot say farewell. Within onr liearts there lies 
 A memory of thy glorious deeds and name 
 Whieh alone with death ean die.'' 
 
 ADDRESS OF DELEGATE ROBERT \V. BLAIR. 
 
 Mr. President : 
 
 We are assendiled to-day in this historic hall of legisla- 
 tion to give expression to onr hereavement over what we 
 helieve to be an irreparable loss. The l*resi(lent is dead. 
 A mantle of gloom has fallen over our ha])py nation, and 
 to-day from the i)laci<l waters of the Pacific, to the rock- 
 ribbed coast on the East, America mourns for her favoivd 
 son and "refuses to be comforted." Kemoved by the 
 cowardly liand of an assassin from a jiarticipation with his 
 fellow countrymen in a grand industrial exposition, he 
 was prostrated on a bed of agony and pain, where for days 
 with superhuman determination he struggled for life until 
 realizing the hopelessness of the combat he succumbed to 
 the inevitable, and folding the dra})eries of his couch al)oiit 
 him, he resigned his spirit to (iod and exclaimed, "Thy will 
 he done." During the silent watches of the night the dark 
 angel who had ])aused for a momvnt ere he shook the death 
 dew iVdni his wings, severed the golden cnvd and the soul 
 took its llight through the jxirtals of that heavenly realm 
 where the weary are at rest and perfect peace is found. 
 
 AN'illiam McKiidty was a titu' American. His ]tatri(>tism 
 
ME:\rOllIAL ADDKES.SES AND SKKVICKS. 5,'} 
 
 was of tliat cliiirac'tcr not hoiiiided l)v Stiite lines, hnt it com- 
 prehended the interests of the entire country. With liim 
 there was no North, no South, no East, no West, hut in 
 every section he beheld a people united by ties of blood and 
 drawn together by comnuuiity of interest, and the main 
 object of his life's work was to cement that relationship and 
 to perfect that glorious union. He possessed that patriotic 
 devotion which saw in his country's flag a symbol of order 
 and unity, and in his country's civil glory, his highest hope 
 and inspiration. His was a nature that loved the people, 
 for he was one of them. He was a man whom the people 
 loved, for they knew his highest ambition was their common 
 good. He loved liberty and freedom for himself and for all 
 men as well, and during his administration, as Connnander- 
 in-Chief of the army, he was instrumental in removing the 
 shackles of tyranny and despotism from thousands of earth's 
 downtrodden and oppressed. 
 
 Although devoted to party organization, he never sur- 
 rendered or sacrificed to partisan advantage any real or sul)- 
 stantive right, which belonged alike to all. He served liis 
 country with fidelity and honor. No taint ever attached to 
 his name while living, and no stain can ever disfigure the 
 bright escvitcheon of his memory, now that he has gone. 
 The statesman Avhose private life preselits a stainless record, 
 while the mirror of his public career reflects only the images 
 of truth, virtue and patriotism, can never be forgotten. 
 
 The loss of such a President at any time nuist be severely 
 felt, but just at the present, when he was in the midst of 
 questions of international import, the loss is more sensible 
 and intense. Truly our political system is characterized by 
 its susceptibility to popular caprice and providential vicissi- 
 tude. To-day our ship of State may be guided by certain 
 helmsmen, to-morrow she may be manned by a different 
 crew. His desire was to serve out his second term and then 
 
.MK.M'iiMAi. Ai>i>i;i:ssi:s .v.\i» >i:kvi(1> 
 
 to ivtiiv to privati' litV, l>ii( an all-wisi- Provicicncc- had 
 <U'iToi'(l otiu rwist'. 
 
 As. ivceiitly. I na/A'd wit li (.•iiKilioin.n the mortal iviuaiiis 
 of the (k-ad President, the lines of an anonyiiions author 
 reeurri'd f(>rcil)ly to my mind: 
 
 '•The air is thick with death, his Ijyinir shafts strike 
 down to-day the hravest in the land, nor can lon<,' withstand 
 the statesman manned against him or the warrior mailed, 
 hut why shoidd he hasten on to strike one down, just in the 
 zenith of his strength and glory of renown." 
 
 The nation has lost a President; tlie South has lost a 
 friend. But the grim reaper is no respecter of persons. The 
 lawmaker is not beyond his mandate; the low and the high 
 are alike subject to his will. The mortal frame dissolves 
 and commingles with motiier earth; dust returns to dust. 
 This, however, is the limit. Noble deeds, kind words and 
 generous impulses strike responsive chords and are re-echoed 
 and rejjroduced in other sympathetic souls. 
 
 A\ oidd that (Jod might create for our guidance other men 
 of the same exalted type of American manhood, tribunes of 
 the people, fearless and peerless examples of statesmanship 
 and patriotism so worthy of our emulation. 
 
 CV)lund)ia will keep vigil over her hallowed dead, and 
 Liberty will stand guard above his tomb. 
 
 "How sleep the brave who sink to rest 
 By all their country's wishes bless'd! 
 AVhen spring with dewy fingers cold 
 Beturns to deck their hallowed moidd. 
 She there shall dress a sweeter sod 
 Than fancy's feet have ever trod. 
 I)y fairy hands their knell is rung; 
 By forms tmseen their dirge is siuig; 
 There Honor comes, a jtilgrim gray. 
 To bless the turf that wraps their clay; 
 And Freedom shall awhile rejjair, 
 To dwell a weejiing hermit therel" 
 
ME.MOKIAL ADDRESSES AND SEHVICIX -).") 
 
 Rome has lier arch to Titus, her triumphal ((.lurmi t.. 
 Trajan; the grave of AgamenuKm lias Ik-oi found :nul 
 marked with enduring granite; but no adamantine lock will 
 be necessary to perpetuate the name of William McKinlcv. 
 History, with an impartial hand, will inscribe it high up in 
 Fame's fair temple, and a devoted people will keep green his 
 memory with love. 
 
 To-day amid the tears of a sorrowing people he will be 
 laid to rest in the beautiful western city he loved so well. 
 There the songs of the birds in the foliage and the murmur 
 of the breezes across the rolling plain will sound his re(|uiem 
 until the archangel with one blast from his clarion trumpet 
 shall summon the nations before the bar of God, where He 
 will judge the quick and the dead, and the reward of Wil- 
 liam McKinley will be, "Well done, thou good and faithful 
 servant, enter thou into the joys of Thy Father's house." 
 
 ADDRESS OF DELEGATE W. A. ANDERSON, 
 
 PRESIDENT PRO TEMPORE. 
 
 J//-. President : 
 
 As never before in the lifetime of living men, the hearts 
 of the American people throb in unison to-day. In the 
 presence of a common calamity and a common grief, the 
 strife of party and the clamor of faction are stilled, and to- 
 day the people of all the States and all the Territories of 
 the Republic, in bowed spirit, gather around the modest 
 home in Canton, where lies, surrounded by the scenes and 
 the people he loved so well, all that is mortal of him who 
 is now immortal. 
 
 The differences of party faiths, and the antagonisms of 
 divergent public policies are forgotten. What is most 
 
oi) mi:mi)|{ial ai)I>ki:<si:s ani» shkvkks. 
 
 vividly ri'iiu'inlKTi'd now :iri' tlic irnicious coiirtrsy, l\\v 
 gentli- coiisidi'mlioii fur otluTs. liowcviT Inwly, the worthy 
 aiiil)iti(in l(» serve nolily the penpie of his whole eoiiiiti'v, 
 and to make them one in sympathy and asjjiration. And 
 by us, of Virjii:inia, and the onee Confederate South, are most 
 tenderly and gratefully recalled liis magnanimity towards 
 the survivors of the Confederate armies — the generous tribute 
 of a great heart to the lieroism of those who were once his 
 courageous foes upon the fields of war, but hiter, and lience- 
 forth and forever, friends and compatriots in the ways and 
 works of peace, and in high endeavor to advance the welfare, 
 the honor, the glory of a common coiuitry. 
 
 Nor can we be unmindful of the gentle and devoted wife, 
 the sharer of his labors, his sorrows and his joys, his honors 
 and his triumphs, who now with crushed and bruised heart, 
 is tasting of the very bitterness of death beside the bier of 
 him who was to her all that (lod-created love and homage 
 could make a noble man to a true and noble and loving 
 woman. To her, in her unutterable grief, the sympathy of 
 the manhood and the womanhood of her t-ountry goes out to- 
 day in unmeasured tenderness. 
 
 Nor can we ever cease to remember and admire the 
 sweetness of the home life, the purity and worth of the 
 private life, and most beautiful of all the chivalric devotion 
 and unchanging love which adorned his nuirried life, from 
 the day of his marriage to the very last nK)ment of his con- 
 scious gaze into the countenance which to him was dearer 
 than his life, when his disenthralled s})irit taking its last 
 farewell of earth was about, as we trust and believe, to enter 
 the home jirovided "for just men made perfect." 
 
 "And now up tiiere somewhere he understands, 
 And I'eads the ineaniui;- of our tears." 
 
 The (MJaiiiit V which has thus befallen the countrv im- 
 
MEMORIAL ADDRESSES AXD SKKVK'ES. ')7 
 
 parts a lesson whicli it would behoove ns to lieed. Tlie mad 
 and wicked blow which deprived the Kepnl)lic of its Chief 
 was the expression of a spirit of lawlessness, of contempt for 
 the teachings of good men, of a spirit of unbelief in the 
 ideals of goodness and right, which are inculcated by 
 our holy religion, of disregard for and hostility to the 
 teachings of all true religion, which, unless checked in its 
 baneful career, may become a power for evil which will 
 bring trouble to our land. 
 
 It is the supreme duty of our statesmen and lawmakers to 
 take measures to remedy, as far as possible, conditions which 
 make such hideous and morbid manifestations of lawlessness 
 possible in a land whose people deserve, and should enjov, 
 the blessings of peace, and the glorious freedom of liberty 
 regulated by law. 
 
 Nor can we, Mr. President, in this trying hour forget 
 him who, by this sad bereavement, has had suddenly placed 
 upon him the great duties and responsibilities of the highest 
 trust that could be devolved upon a citizen. He will enter 
 upon the discharge of his high duties with the confidence 
 and good-will of the American people. 
 
 May God give him strength and wisdom to meet the 
 requirements of his great oflice— justly, ably, nobly and 
 patriotically— as the Chief Magistrate of all the people of 
 all the States of this great Union of States. 
 
 The President : The solemn exercises of this 
 hour, as arranged by the committee, are now brought 
 to a close, and the Rev. Doctor Dunaway will pro- 
 nounce the benediction. 
 
 The benediction was pronounced by the Rev. W. 
 F. Dunaway, D. D., delegate from Lancaster. 
 
58 MKMuiiiAi, Ai)i>i;i:ssi;s and si:i;vi(I>;. 
 
 The Convention tliereupon (at 1 o'clock and 40 
 minutes p. m.), while the quartette choir sang " My 
 Country, 'Tis of Thee," adjourned until to-morrow, 
 Friday, September 20, 1901, at 12 o'clock meridian. 
 
 On October 10 the President laid before the Con- 
 vention the following communication, which was read, 
 and, on motion of jNIr. Brown, of Bedford, was or- 
 dered to be incorporated in the memorial volume to 
 be prepared by the Committee on Printing, and also 
 to be printed in the Journal: 
 
 I)KI>ARTMKXT OF StATE, 
 
 October 8, 1901. 
 Jolin Goodc, Esq., lUchmond, Va. : 
 
 Sir — Among the many messages of grief, and of sympa- 
 thy with Mrs. McKinley and the other members of the late 
 President's family in their overwhelming tronble, received 
 by the (xovernment and acknowledged by me on tlieir ac- 
 count, and among the multiplying expressions of profound 
 respect for President McKinley's unseltish (U\ i>ti<in and great 
 services to his country, together with a wide and increasing 
 testimony to his exalted character and gracious personality, 
 from every ]tart of the United States — indeed, from all jiarts 
 of tlu' world — 1 have tiic honor to acknowledge with senti- 
 ments of sincere aj)})reciation the resolutions adopted by the 
 Constitutional Convention of Virginia on the 14th ultimo. 
 I am, sir, your oixdiciU servant. 
 
 John IIav. 
 
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LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 
 
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