Mrs. McKinley's One Comfort

1902

"Her one comfort is in her daily visit to the tomb of her husband. She seems to be living only in his memory and for the purpose of honoring him."

The words were spoken of Mrs. McKinley by an intimate friend of hers. They tell in a nutshell the daily life of the woman who has not recovered, and never will recover, from the effects of the shock by the assassin's bullets that cost the life of her illustrious husband at Buffalo.

For her convenience at the vault a rocking chair has been placed in the house of the dead, near the McKinley casket. A heavy rug on the floor protects her from the dampness. When she enters the tomb she is always clothed with heavy wraps, so as to prevent any cold from getting hold on her system. The guards of National solders on duty have come to regard her daily visit to the vault as sacred, and they pay to the most profound sympathy and attention. — Philadelphia North American.

The Lafayette Dollars

1900

Readers of The Companion have not forgotten the American monument to the Marquis de Lafayette, which is to be erected in the city of Paris by the aid of subscriptions raised by the school children of the United States. By an act of the last Congress, the United States mint was authorized to strike off fifty thousand silver dollars with a special design commemorating the setting up of this monument, and to turn the coins over to the association which has in charge the erection of the monument in Paris.

By this association the dollars will be sold for two dollars apiece. The sum of one hundred thousand dollars thus realized will be added to the fund for the monument.

On December 27, 1899, the director of the mint, Mr. Roberts, presented to President McKinley the first of these dollars which came from the mint, and Mr. McKinley announced his intention of presenting it in turn to the President of the French Republic, Monsieur Loubet. This, in fact, was done on the third of March.

On one side of the coin are the heads of Washington and Lafayette, and on the other is a reproduction of the proposed monument. Across the face of the monument is this inscription: "Erected in the Name of the School Children of the United States, Paris, 1900." — Youth's Companion.

Lincoln and McKinley on the Tariff

1911

The Republican party always stood for a protective tariff and still stands there. Under that policy this country has grown rich and powerful.

Without the protection to the industries it has enjoyed, New England would now be a howling waste, or pretty near it.

This is what President Lincoln said about a protective tariff:

"I do not know much about the tariff, but I know this much: When we buy manufactured goods abroad we get the goods and the foreigner gets the money. When we buy the manufactured goods at home we get both the goods and the money."

And this was President McKinley's opinion:

"Protection has vindicated itself. It cannot be helped by eulogy or hurt by defamation; it has worked its own demonstration and it presents in the sight of the world its matchless trophies." — Woburn (Mass.) Journal.

Queen Victoria Dead

1901

Passes Peacefully Away, Surrounded by Her Family

London, Jan. 22. — 7:03 p.m. — A telegram from the Prince of Wales to the Lord Mayor, timed at Osborne, 6:45 p.m., says the queen has passed away. The text of the Prince of Wales' dispatch to the Lord Mayor is as follows:

Osborne House, Jan. 22, 6:45 p.m. — My beloved mother has just passed away, surrounded by her children and grandchildren. ALBERT EDWARD.

Cowes, Isle of Wight, Jan. 23. — Queen Victoria is dead and Edward VII. reigns.

The greatest event in the memory of this generation, the most stupendous changes in existing conditions that could possibly be imagined, has taken place quietly, almost gently, upon the anniversary of the death of Queen Victoria's father, the Duke of Kent.

The end of this career, never equalled by any woman in the world's history, came in a simply furnished room in Osborne house. The most respected of all women, living or dead, lay in a great four-posted bed and made a shrunken atom, whose aged face and figure were a cruel mockery of the fair girl who in 1837 began to rule over England.

Around her were gathered almost every descendant of her line. Well within view of her dying eyes there hung a portrait of the prince consort. It was he who designed the room and every part of the castle.

In scarcely audible words, the white-haired bishop of Winchester prayed beside her, as he had often prayed beside her sovereign, for he was her chaplain at Windsor. With bowed heads the imperious ruler of the German empire and the man who is now King of England, the woman who has succeeded to the title of queen, the princes and princesses, and those of less than royal designation listened to the bishop's ceaseless prayer.

Six o'clock passed. The bishop continued his intercession. One of the younger children asked a question in shrill, childish treble, and was immediately silenced. The women of this royal family sobbed faintly and the men shuffled uneasily.

At exactly half past 6 Sir James Reid held up his hand, and the people in the room knew that England had lost her queen. The bishop pronounced the benediction.

The queen passed away quite peacefully. She suffered no pain. Those who were now mourners went to their rooms.

The body of Queen Victoria was embalmed and will probably be taken to Windsor on Saturday. The coffin arrived last evening from London.

It was thought that the queen was dying about 3 o'clock in the afternoon and carriages were sent to Osborne cottage and the rectory to bring all the princes and princesses and the bishop of Winchester to her bedside. It seemed then very near the end, but when things looked the worst the queen had one of her rallies, due to her wonderful constitution, opened her eyes, and recognized the Prince of Wales, the princes and Emperor William. She asked to see one of her faithful servants, a member of the royal household. He hastened to the room, but before he got there the queen had passed into a fitful sleep.

The Prince of Wales was very much affected when the doctors at last informed him that his mother had breathed her last. Emperor William, himself deeply affected, did his best to minister comfort to his sorrow-stricken uncle, whose new dignity he was the first to acknowledge.

For several weeks the queen had been failing. On Monday last she summoned Lord Roberts and asked him some very searching questions regarding the war in South Africa. On Tuesday she went for a drive, but was visibly affected. On Wednesday she suffered a paralytic stroke, accompanied by intense physical weakness. It was her first illness in 81 years, and she would not admit it. Then her condition grew so serious that, against her wishes, the family were summoned. When they arrived her reason had partially succumbed to paralysis and weakness.


President's Message of Condolence

Washington, Jan. 23 — President McKinley sent the following message of condolence to King Edward VII:

Washington, Jan. 22. — His Majesty, the King, Osborne House, Isle of Wight: I have received with profound sorrow the lamentable tidings of the death of her majesty, the queen. Allow me, sir, to offer my sincere sympathy and that of the American people in your personal bereavement and the loss Great Britain has suffered in the death of its venerable and illustrious sovereign whose noble life and beneficent influence has promoted the peace and won the affection of the world. WILLIAM M'KINLEY.