Page:American Boy's Life of William McKinley.djvu/340

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AMERICAN BOYS' LIFE

CHAPTER XXX


Tribute of a Nation—The Funeral and Final Resting-place


Never was a President more sincerely mourned than was William McKinley, The news of his death, circulated in the hours of the early morning, aroused a whole Nation almost to tears. Up to the last, people had hoped against hope that he would recover, and prayers had been offered in thousands of churches throughout our broad land and in many foreign places. But it was truly "God's way," and his soul marched on, to the eternal victory it had so well earned.

Upon the death of the President, Theodore Roosevelt became the next chief magistrate, and was sworn into office immediately. Then preparations were made for the funeral ceremonies, which were to be held, first at Buffalo, next at Washington, and finally at Canton, Ohio. In the meantime many expressed their desire that the cowardly