crowns a most extraordinary life with a halo that cannot but exalt its victim's place in history, while his bravery during the trying ordeal, his forgiving spirit and his fortitude in the final hours give glimpses of his inner life which nothing less tragic could have revealed.

"But inexpressibly sad as is the death of McKinley, the illustrious citizen, it is the damnable murder of McKinley, the President, that melts 75,000,000 hearts into one and brings hush to the farm, the factory and the forum. The death, even when produced by natural causes, of a public servant charged with the tremendous responsibilities which press upon a President shocks the entire country, and is infinitely multiplied when the circumstances attending constitute an attack upon the Government itself. No one can estimate the far-reaching effect of such an act as that which now casts a gloom over our land. It shames America in the eyes of the world, it impairs her moral prestige and gives enemies of free government a chance to mock at her, and it excites an indignation which, while righteous in itself, may lead to acts which will partake of the spirit of lawlessness.

MUST AVENGE THE OUTRAGE.

"As the President's death overwhelms all in a common sorrow, so it imposes a common responsibility, namely: To so avenge the wrong done to the President, his family and the country as to make the Executive life secure without abridgement of freedom of speech or freedom of the press.

King Edward, King Christian, Queen Alexandra and the Empress Dowager of Russia, surrounded by the. princes and princesses of their families, personally expressed in special audience granted to the United States Minister, Mr. Swenson, their deep sympathy and indignation at the death of Mr. McKinley.

King Edward's closing words to Mr. Swenson were the following: "Convey my heartfelt sympathy for the loss of so grand a man to so great a nation, a man who was so good a friend to Great Britain."

A tribute, entitled "William McKinley-An Appreciation,"

written by Secretary John D. Long, was given prominence in a Boston journal. In part it said:

"President McKinley, of blessed life, is now, and more and more as time goes on, will be of blessed memory. The asperities which afflict a public servant during his official career will quickly be forgotten, and the calm, just verdict of history will pronounce him a man of ideally pure, true character, a patriot of single and disinterested devotion to his country, and a statesman unexcelled for tact, prudence and practical competency. His domestic life is one of the precious sanctities of American senti

ment.

"As an Executive, his administration has been a series of remarkable achievements. It has been attended by great military successes, by an abounding prosperity.

"It has put out the last embers of sectional bitterness. It has been marked by appointments of high character and especial fitness to places of great trust. The tone of the public official, the efficiency of the civil service, the integrity and fidelity of all departments and branches of the executive government were never so high as to-day.

"President McKinley leaves an unblemished record in public and private life. And a record not merely free from blemish, but bright with good deeds done, with great services rendered."

CHAPTER XIX.

Last Funeral Rites at Canton-Imposing Demonstrations— Scenes at the Church-President Roosevelt and Other Distinguished Mourners.

WITH

ITH the going down of the sun, on September 19th, the body of William McKinley, late President of the United States, was committed to the tomb, in the presence of his successor in office, the chiefs of all departments of the Government, and a vast multitude of people, who filled the cemetery and stood silently and with bared heads while the last words were spoken and the last honors were paid the martyred Chief Magistrate.

The last scene of all closed with the booming of minute guns, varied by the quick, sharp report of the nineteen guns prescribed to salute the President, the touching music of the favorite hymn of the deceased, and finally by the bugle notes, reverberating over the hills, as they sounded "taps "-the soldier's goodnight. All was ended. The troops, who had marched to the tomb slowly, solemnly, with mournful music and drooping colors, were moved into column while the smoke of the guns still hung among the foliage like incense, and the bugle notes echoed and re-echoed across the fertile valley of the Nimisilla, as if reluctant to depart.

The words of command rang out in strange contrast with the suppressed tones that had so shortly directed the funeral movement, the bands struck up lively airs, the homeward march began with quick step and swinging gait, the iron jaws of the vault were closed with a snap, and William McKinley was alone with the military watchers who will guard his remains for an indefinite period, and until a permanent resting place is selected. The sun

sank below the horizon, and the shades of night were creeping over the last scene in the tragedy that formed the climax of the late President's life before the last of the funeral procession left the gates of the cemetery behind.

The day opened with lowering clouds that threatened to envelope the closing scene with a pall and deluge the vast multitude of sorrowing spectators. Fortunately, as the sun gained ascension the clouds were dissipated; the atmosphere, which had been damp and penetrating, became bright and cheering, bringing assurances of the best meteorological conditions and furnishing cause for popular rejoicing and thanksgiving.

All through the night and early morning, trains, loaded with pilgrims to Canton, rumbled into the stations. Before the morning was far advanced, the streets, were packed with people of both sexes, all sizes and conditions, who moved in solid mass about the City Hall, passed in orderly procession through the vault-like chamber, with its mournful drapery and its oppressive funeral light, where the remains reposed in state and were exposed to view for the last time.

IN THE LITTLE FRONT PARLOR.

The McKinley residence divided with the City Hall the popular interest. The precious casket rested in the little front parlor, and, while none was admitted, all could pass in silence and gaze upon the house that held it, surrounded by armed men, whose measured step was the only sound that disturbed the prevailing quiet. Crossed palms, held by black and white ribbons, and fastened against the wall on the right of the door, were the only outward evidence of the deep grief that overwhelmed the household, and which weighed upon the bereaved widow of William McKinley.

The procession was behind the time appointed in starting, the delay arising from the numerous organizations and large numbers of those who composed them. The escort was made up of the entire force of the State Guards, many commandries of Knights Templar, Masonic lodges and posts of the Grand Army, of which organizations the deceased was a member; survivors of his old regiment, organizations from every section of Ohio, and delegations from other States, including their Governors.

The immediate family, together with the United States

officials in attendance, the President, the Cabinet, the general officers of the army, headed by the Lieutenant-General, who reached Canton in the evening; the Rear Admirals of the navy, the soldiers and sailors who have faithfully guarded and borne the remains from place to place since leaving Buffalo; Senators of the United States and Representatives-elect, formed and followed in the same regulation order that was observed in the procession at Washington. The march was direct to the church in which the services were held.

The building was filled to its utmost capacity, and surrounded on the outside by a vast multitude, which was held back by the military escort, formed in line to await the closing of the religious exercises and to make the last march to the cemetery with all the pomp and ceremony befitting the occasion. Mrs. McKinley did not go to the church. She was desirous of following her beloved to the end, but was finally prevailed upon to remain at home by her relatives and her physician.

PROCESSION REACHES THE CHURCH.

President Roosevelt and the members of the family were in position directly in front of the hearse as the representatives of a stricken nation and mourning people. The funeral procession reached the church about two o'clock. The doors were kept closed against general admission until the casket was in place and the relatives and official attendants were seated. The platform from which the regular church services are conducted was extended in order to accommodate the large number of clergymen of all denominations who requested the privilege of being present during the services.

More than one hundred clergymen were thus accommodated, and formed a fitting background for the many floral contributions banked in front, and the sombre hangings that covered the walls and hung in festoons that were looped with broad white ribbons from the pillars and the great organ. The army and navy officers constituting the special guard of honor, occupied the two front pews on the right and left of the main aisle. The President at