In Memory of McKinley

Roosevelt’s eulogy to McKinley is regarded as “the most beautiful and heartfelt tribute ever paid to distinguished dead.”

In Memory of M’Kinley
Mr. Roosevelt’s Touching Tribute to Martyred President.
Attended Banquet at Canton
The President’s Eulogy Regarded by Many as the Most Beautiful and Heartfelt Tribute Ever Paid to Distinguished Dead.
Canton, O., Jan. 28. — President Roosevelt last night participated in a notable tribute to the memory of the late President McKinley. He was the principal orator at a banquet given under the auspices of the Canton Republican League in commemoration of the birthday of McKinley. Surrounded by friends, neighbors and business and political associates of the dead president, he pronounced a brilliant and eloquent eulogy on the life and works of McKinley, an eulogy by many regarded as the most beautiful and heartfelt tribute ever paid to the memory of the distinguished dead. The banquet was held in the Grand Opera House. The interior of the building was beautifully decorated with flags and flowers, the floral decorations being particularly elaborate. An orchestra of 25 pieces furnished the music.
Among the 457 guests assembled about the boards were some of the most distinguished men in the civil, public, and political life of the country. At the speaker’s table, besides President Roosevelt, were seated, among others, Judge William R. Day, who acted as toastmaster; Secretary Root, Secretary Cortelyou, General S. B. M. Young, General Leonard Wood, General Luke E. Wright, vice governor of the Philippines; Surgeon General Riley, Captain W.S. Cowies, the president’s naval aide.
Among other things President Roosevelt said:
Throughout our history, and, indeed, throughout history generally, it has been given to only a very few thrice-favored men to take so marked a lead in the crisis faced by their several generations that thereafter each stands as the embodiment of the triumphant effort of his generation. President McKinley was one of these men.
It was given to President McKinley to take the foremost place in our political life at a time when our country was brought face to face with problems more momentous than any whose solution we have ever attempted, save only in the revolution and in the civil war; and it was under his leadership that the nation solved these mighty problems alright. Therefore, he shall stand in the eyes of history not merely as the first man of his generation, but as among the greatest figures in our national life, coming second only to the men of the two great crises in which the union was founded and preserved.
No man could carry through successfully such a task as President McKinley undertook, unless trained by long years of effort for its performance. Knowledge of his fellow citizens, ability to understand them, keen sympathy with even their innermost feelings, and yet power to lead them, together with far-sighted sagacity and resolute belief both in the people and in their future— all these were needed in the man who headed the march of our people during the eventful years from 1896 to 1901. These were the qualities possessed by McKinley and developed by him throughout his whole history previous to assuming the presidency. As a lad he had the inestimable privilege of serving, first in the ranks, and then as a commissioned officer, in the great war for national union, righteousness and grandeur; he was one of those whom a kindly providence permitted to take part in a struggle which ennobled every man who fought therein. He who, when little more than a boy, had seen the grim steadfastness which, after four years of giant struggle, restored the union and freed the slave was not thereafter to be haunted by danger or frightened out of his belief in the great destiny of our people...

“In Memory of McKinley,” Black Virginia: The Richmond Planet, 1894-1909, accessed May 12, 2025, https://blackvirginia.richmond.edu/items/show/278.