Jasper County Democrat, Volume 4, Number 25, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 28 September 1901 — Cardinal Gibbons' Tribute. [ARTICLE]

Cardinal Gibbons' Tribute .

In the annals of crime It Is difficult to find nn Instance of murder so atrocious, so wanton and. mean'ngleas, as the assasslnatlun of Mr. McKinley. Borne reason or pretext hus been usuul'y assigned for the sudden taking away of earthly rulers. Balthasar, the Impious king of Chaldea, spent his last night In reveling and drunkenness. He was suddenly Struck dead by the band of the Lord. How (liferent was the life of our ehlef magistrate! No court In Europe or In the civilized world wus more conspicuous for moral rectitude and purity, or more free from the breath of scandal, than the official home of President McKinley, He would have adorned any court In Christendom by bis civic virtues.

The redeemer of mankind was betrayed by the universal symbol of love. If I may reverently make tbe comparison, the President was betrayed by the universal emblem of friendship. Christ said to Judas, “Friend, betrayest thou the son of man with a kiss?” The President could have said to It's slayer: “Betrayest thou the head of the nation with the grasp of the hand?” The domestic vlrtaes of Mr. McKinley were worthy of nil praise. He was a model husband. Amid tbe pressing and engrossing duties of his official life he wou!d from tints to time snatch a few moments to devote to the Invalid and loving partner of his Joys and sorrows. Ob. what a change has cunt* over that afflicted woman. Yesterday she was the first lady of the land. To day she Is a disconsolate and broken-hearted widow. Let us beseech Him who comforted the widow of Xuln that He console this lady In hei hour of desolation.

The strongest shield of our chief magistrate is the love and devotion of his fellow citizens. The most effective way to stop such crimes Is to Inspire the rising generation with gmiter revereuce for the constituted authorities, aud a greater horror for any Insult or Injury to their person. All seditious language should be suppressed. Incendiary speech Is too often an Incentive to criminal acts on the part of many to whom the transition from words to deeds is easy. Let It he understood, once for all. that tht authorities are determined to crush the serpent of aaurchy whenever It lifts Its venomous head. What a beautiful spectacle to behold prayers asceudlng from tens of thousands of temples throughout the land, to the throne of mercy. Is not this universal uplifting of minds and hearts to God a sublime profession of our faith and trust In him?