Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 24, Number 8, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 27 September 1901 — NATION STOPS STILL. [ARTICLE]

NATION STOPS STILL.

ALL INDUSTRIES MOTIONLESS FOR FIVE MINUTES. Millions of People at the Same Moment Tarn Their Thoughts to the Dead President Mark Observance of Funeral Day. One of the impressive features of the day on which President McKinley’s body was laid in the tomb at Canton was the the cessation of all movement throughout the country at the time of the interment. It was a peculiarly appropriate way of symbolizing national grief. For five minutes the nation, bowed in sorrow, stood absolutely motionless and silent. In this deeply impressive manner was expressed its farewell to William McKinley. School, church, mart and home joined in the tribute. Reverence stilled every branch of human activity. As the body of the President was borne from the church at Canton to begin the journey to its last resting place, a telegraphic signal was sent to every part of the country. . Instantly every wheel on every street or steam railroad was stopped. The noise of commerce and industry ceased. Millions of people halted in the streets, uncovered, with eyes upon the ground. telegraph instrument in the broad ■land was silent. Traffic on land and water was suspended. Even the activities of home life were abandoned for the time. Everywhere Sil living things were mute. Join in Funeral Services. At the end of this five minutes of homage and prayer the people resumed the funeral ceremonies to which,, everywhere, the day was devoted. Business was suspended and in churches, lodges and places memorial services were held. Eulogies of the dead were spoken and musical programs in which the favorite hymns of McKinley—“Lead, Kindly Light,” and “Nearer, My God, to Thee”—held prominent places, were carried out. In all the cities and towns of Illinois special services were held. Business was generally suspended in Chicago. Services were held in the churches and in the great Auditorium, and in the afternoon there was a monster memorial parade. At Springfield the day was fittingly observed in all the churches and there were exercises under the auspices of the Grand Army and the Knights Templar. The great heart of the South, deeply touched by the murder of the President, poured out its grief in a manner that copld not have been more demonstrative. A touching proof of the universal esteem in which Maj. McKinley was held was given by the Confederate Veterans, who everywhere had a conspicuous part in the ceremonies. In New Orleans the entire afternoon was devoted to memorial services. Exercises were held in all the cities, those- at Memphis, Chattanooga, Savannah, Mobile and Atlanta being particularly elaborate. Residents of St. Louis to the number of 20,000 crowded about the Coliseum, where a mass meeting was held and addresses were delivered by prominent ministers and laymen. In the great convention hall at Kansas City 20,000 persons lifted their voices in loving tribute to the President, singing “Nearer, My God, to Thee” and “America.” .The music was led by a band of 100 pieces and a chorus of 700 voices. Solemn scenes marked the observance of the day in New York and its vicinity. In public meetings without number addresses were made eulogistic of the life and public services of the President. Fully 20,000 people crowded into Madison Square Garden during the afternoon, and stood for the most part with uncovered heads as a band gave a memorial concert, at which “Nearer, My God, to Thee,” and “Lead, Kindly Light,” were played. Pontifical mass was celebrated in St. Patrick’s Cathedral by Archbishop Corrigan. The day was very generally observed at Buffalo as one of mourning and prayer. In all the churches of the city memorial services were held. lowa cities without exception devoted the day to appropriate exercises. At most of them a cold, drizzling rain fell, but the discomfort it caused had no perceptible effect in checking the outpouring of mourners. At Des Moines Congressman Hull delivered an address on “McKinley, the Patriot.” Ten thousand persons crowded the public park at Dubuque and listened to addresses by Senator Allison, Speaker Henderson, Judge Shiras and Archbishop Keane. Davenport, Sioux City and Oskaloosa were the scenes of impressive ceremonies. A military parade and services in many churches were features of the observance at Detroit. Reports from all parts of Michigan show that the day was everywhere devoted to memorial exercises. Fifty thousand persons took part in an impressive demonstration at the State fair grounds at Indianapolis. Led by Sousa’s band, they joined in singing “Nearer, My God, to Thee,” the volume of sound with which the melody of the hymn was borne being almost overpowering. Elsewhere in the State, particularly at Notre Dame, Purdue and the other Schools, the observance was general.

Grief of Ohioans. The native State of the President was clothed in the garb of mourning, and everywhere prayers were offered for the repose of the spirit of her beloved son. In the large auditorium at Columbus 5,000 people gathered. Addresses were made by President W. O. Thompson of the State University, Allen W. Thurman, H. I. Booth, Congressman Emmet Tompkins, Judge G. H. Stewart and Dr. Wash-, ington Gladden. Senator Foraker addressed- a great throng at the festival grounds, Cincinnati, delivering an eloquent eulogy on the life and. works of President McKinley. Elsewhere in the State there were manifestations of the most profound sorrow. The great West, from the Missouri river to the Pacific, devoted the day to 'memorial services. At Denver 25,000 persons gathered at the capitol grounds, where addressed were delivered by Senator Teller, Gov. Orman and others. Throughout California, Kansas and the other States of this section largely attended meetings were M d - In Wisconsin cities there were public manifestations of sorrow and at Kenosha the feeling of indignation against the assassin was given expression. About 1,000 residents of the place, among them many business men, hanged Csolgoss in effigy.