CHAPTER VIII.

THE LESSONS OF HEROIC LIVES.

McKinley a patriot-Oration-Piety and patriotism-Lessons of heroism-Influences of Chautauqua-A fighting patriot-The grand review-A generous eulogy-Illustrious names.

TH

HE oration before the Chautauqua Assembly, Grand Army Day, Monday, August 26th, 1895, is an example of the simplicity and elevation of McKinley on a patriotic theme-and is worthy of study for purity of style and force of expression.

"ORATION BEFORE THE CHAUTAUQUA ASSEMBLY, ON GRAND ARMY DAY, MONDAY, AUGUST 26TH, 1895.

"Mr. President, Comrades of the Grand Army of the Republic, Ladies and Gentlemen: It would have given me pleasure to meet this splendid Chautauqua Assembly at any time, but my gratification is the greater because I am invited to participate with you on the day which you have consecrated to country,

the day you have devoted to patriotism and the memories of the past, with all their precious lessons. What could be more fitting on the part of this association, whose chief objects are to exalt Christianity and promote sound learning, than to set apart a day to the brave men whose service and sacrifice preserved unimpaired the liberties we enjoy, for ourselves and posterity? Piety and patriotism have always been closely allied. My older hearers will recollect the fervent words, and recall with fond affection the matchless voice of dear old Bishop Simpson, who said in 1861: Nail the flag just below the cross! That is high enough-Christ and country, nothing can come between nor long prevail against them.' [Applause.]

"The lessons of heroism and sacrifice are not confined to any age or people, nor are they limited to the participants or the survivors, but are for all the people living, or who may come hereafter. Fortunately, in the economy of the Most High, the influence of any duty nobly done, or of courage or devotion in any good cause, is never lost. It strengthens with the ages, blessing and consecrating as the years recede, and inspiring others to suffer, and, if needs. be, die for conscience and country. This was the spirit which animated the soldiers of the Revolution and the Rebellion, and distinguished both. They battled neither for commerce nor conquest, but for immortal principles, involving alike human rights and the highest welfare of the human race. What

was lost to America in the first great struggle was nobly regained in the last.

"These patriotic assemblages cannot, therefore, be too frequent, which invite a proper study of the past, not in hatred, passion, or bitterness, but to teach and enforce more plainly the blessings of peace, union, and fraternal love. They bring us closer together, as a reunited and happy people, guided by the example of the Master, whose life was one of sacrifice, and who is glorified as the Man of Peace and Son of God.

"It is easy to decry the events and institutions with which we are familiar, but, after all, we have many-very many-patriotic altars, and should have many more national celebrations. All along the pathway of our national life, from Lexington to Appomattox, we breathe the incense of heroism. We are not unmindful of the mighty deeds of the past, nor indifferent to the heroes who achieved them, nor can we be oblivious to the glories of the present, and the bright promise for the future. In a certain sense our churches and schools, our newspapers and literature, are constantly inspiring us with new and greater love of home and country. The work and influence of such great popular assemblages as this, not only here at Chautauqua, the fountain head of them all, but in other and distant States, are of priceless value to the people. [Applause.]

"You have builded wise and well. You have not only given to the world's vocabulary a new, beautiful,

and significant name, but to the world itself a new and holy zeal in the good cause of Christianity and scientific and literary study. You are to be congratulated that the religious, educational, and fraternal influences of Chautauqua are greater, far greater, than you know, and everywhere, at home and abroad, are beneficial and elevating to mankind. Liberty of thought, speech, and conscience hold full sway on these congenial grounds. Bigotry is neither encouraged nor tolerated, but, in the true spirit of the fathers, liberty and learning go hand-in-hand. In such an atmosphere American patriotism must burn with full flame, and as a light to the feet of all. [Applause.]

For what is patriotism? Did you ever stop to reflect upon what it embraces? There is born in every manly breast the determination to defend the thing he loves. We strike down the enemy who would invade our homes, and guard family and fireside at the peril of our lives. There is no sentiment so strong as love; no sacrifice too great for those we love. This is the underlying principle of genuine patriotism; the foundation of true loyalty to country. The patriot is he who, loving his country, is willing not only to fight, but, if need be, to die for it. It is this sentiment which gives to human governments their strength, security, and permanency. It is this sentiment which nerves the soldier to duty, and gains his consent to service and sacrifice. The strongest and best government is the one which rests upon the

reverent affection of its own people; and the nearer the government to the people, and the people to the government, the stronger becomes the sentiment of patriotism, and the stronger becomes the government itself. The laws are of little or no value if they do not have behind them the respect and love of the people. When patriotism is gone out of the hearts of the masses the country is nearing dissolution and death. [Applause.]

"Did you ever seriously reflect what it means to be a fighting patriot? Many people preach and profess patriotism, but the true patriot is he who practices it, and he can seldom practice it by proxy. Patriotism is the absolute consecration of self to country; it is the total abandonment of business; it is the turning away from plans which have been formed for a life's career. It is the surrendering of bright prospects, and the giving up of ambition. in a chosen work. It is the sundering of the ties of home and family, almost the snapping of the heart-strings which bind us to those we love. It may mean disease contracted by exposure or from wounds in battle. It may mean imprisonment, insanity or death. It may mean hunger, thirst, and starvation.

"In our own Civil War it meant all of these. With all these hard conditions there were nearly three million men who so loved liberty and union that they were willing at any cost or hazard to follow our flag. The blood of a half million men was exacted