CHAPTER XXV The World's Sympathy with the Nation's Grief TH HE murder of President McKinley by the fell hand of Anarchy not alone threw the American nation into a stupor of grief, but also gave a shock which was felt round the world; the nations of Europe could not have shown greater horror or manifested more fervent sympathy had the assassin's bullet reached the heart of one of their own most honored rulers. From princes and people alike came warm expressions of sympathy with their stricken. sister nation, as deeply inspired with feeling as though our murdered ruler had been President of the world instead of the United States. It is our purpose in the present chapter to present some of the more important and significant of these contributions. From England, with which, a few months before, the United States had so warmly sympathized in the death of her beloved. Queen, the fatal act of September 6th called forth the following earnest expression of grief and regret. King Edward VII. hastened to send the following message to the Foreign Office: "Kiel, Sept. 7.-Please send at once to the American Embassy to offer my deepest sympathy at the dastardly attempt on the President's life. I have telegraphed direct. Please keep me informed of his condition." Lord Roberts was as prompt to speak for the military establishment of Great Britain, sending the following message to the American Embassador Choate : "Please convey to President and Mrs. McKinley, on behalf of myself and the British army, our profound regret at what has occurred and our earnest hope that the President's valuable life may be spared. "ROBERTS." Mr. Chamberlain, the Colonial Secretary, wired from Bir. mingham : "I have heard with sorrow and detestation of the atrocious, cowardly act of which the President of the United States is a victim. Every Englishman deeply sympathizes with the people of America and with the family of the President, whose high character is well appreciated on this side." Germany was equally earnest in her expressions of sympathy, the Emperor and Empress at once writing the following message to Mrs. McKinley: "Koenigsberg, September 7, 1901. "The Emperor and I are horrified at the attempt planned against your husband. Express our deepfelt sympathy, hoping that God may restore to health Mr. McKinley. "WILLIAM I. R. "VICTORIA I. R." The President of France cabled directly to his fellow President: "Rambouillet, September 7, 1901. "With keen affliction I learn the news of the heinous attempt of which your Excellency has just been a victim. I take it to heart to join with the people of the United States in wishing the early recovery of your Excellency and I earnestly desire in this sorrowful juncture to renew to you the assurance of my sentiment of constant and cordial friendship. "EMILE LOUBET." Of the American Republics, Guatemala was the first to express its sorrow, President Estrada telegraphing to Mrs. McKinley: "Guatemala, Sept. 6, 1901. "My Government and I most heartfully lament the unhappy Be pleased to receive our profound sorrow. event. "M. ESTRADA C." Many more. expressions of sympathy were received immediately after the shot was fired. In the days In the days following, constant inquiries were made as to the condition of the distinguished patient. When, on September 14th, President McKinley passed away, the nation was officially notified of it by President Roosevelt's proclamation, given elsewhere, as his first official act. Official notice was given to foreign governments by a circular note addressed by the Secretary of State to their representatives accredited to the Government of the United States. "DEPARTMENT OF STATE, WASHINGTON, September 14, 1901. "Sir. It is my painful duty to announce to you the death of William McKinley, President of the United States, in the city of Buffalo, at fifteen minutes past two in the morning of to-day, September 14th. "Laid low by the act of an assassin, the week-long struggle to save his life has been watched with keen solicitude, not only by the people of this country, who raised him from their own ranks to the high office he filled, but by the people of all friendly nations, whose messages of sympathy and hope, while hope was possible, have been most consolatory in this time of sore trial. "Now that the end has come, I request you to be the medium of communicating the sad tidings to the government of the honored nation you so worthily represent, and to announce that, in obedience to the prescriptions of the Constitution, the office of President has devolved upon Theodore Roosevelt, Vice-President of the United States. tion. "Accept, sir, the renewed assurance of my highest considera'JOHN HAY." From England The replies were instantaneous. King Edward of England sent the following telegram from Fredensborg, Denmark, to Mr. Choate, the American Ambassador in London : "Most truly do I sympathize with you and the whole American nation at the loss of your distinguished and ever-to-be-regretted President. "EDWARD, Rex.” The Archbishop of Canterbury, the Most Rev. Frederick Temple, sent the following despatch to Mr. Choate : "I desire to express in behalf of the Church of England the deep grief with which we have heard of the death of the President. The loss of so great a ruler is a calamity to the whole world. The triumph of wickedness fills us with sorrow. Our prayer and goodwill will be an earnest for the American people." Following is the text of the message of the Lord Mayor of London to the American Embassy : "The citizens of London are profoundly moved and deeply affected at the sad intelligence of President McKinley's death. They had hoped that under Providence so valuable a life might be spared for the welfare of his country. In their name I beg to tender your Excellency their heartfelt sympathy. I shall be grateful if you will convey this to Mrs. McKinley and the people of the United States. The eminent career and public services of President McKinley were widely appreciated here and will long be remembered by the English people, who, having themselves sustained the loss of a beloved sovereign this year, are able to sympathize keenly with the United States in the sudden removal of their distinguished President." On Sunday there was an immense congregation at St. Paul's Cathedral. Among those present were Ambassador Choate and the staff of the Embassy. The Rev. Henry Scott Holland, Precentor of the Cathedral, said: "A great hope that once filled humanity lies slain. We once dreamed that the New World had awaked from the nightmare o evil memories and set out to live its free life unburdened and unsursed, but the new has like bitterness to work through as the |