Name/Title
President McKinley Memorial ribbon.Entry/Object ID
2010.1.2216Description
This is a 1 7/8 inches wide x 7 inches long sepia colored silk ribbon. Two small pieces of tape one at the top and one at the bottom, are adhered to the ribbon. The front of the ribbon has a portrait of President McKinley with the words above reading: "President McKinley Memorial." Below the portrait are the words that President McKinley spoke to Mrs. McKinley before his death by an assassin in Buffalo, New York, Sept. 14, 1901.
The words read:
" Good-bye, all, good-bye.
It is is God's way.
His will, not ours, be done."
The following hymn, "Nearer my God to Thee," was the first stanza of one of President McKinley's favorites written by Sarah Flower Adams (composer) and Dr. Lowell Mason (composer). Upon his death it was played by bands all across the country, during his funeral procession in Washington, D.C. and at the end of the funeral service. The first two lines are the last words he ever spoke.
"Nearer my God, to Thee
Nearer to Thee;
E'en though it be a Cross
That raiseth me;
Still all my song shall be
Nearer, my God, to thee,
Nearer to Thee!"
A line separates the next hymn. "Lead Kindly Light" by John H. Newman (composer) and John B. Dykes (composer) was another of McKinley's favorite hymns and sung at his funeral.
"Lead kindly Light!
Amid the encircling gloom,
Lead thou me on;
The night is dark,
And I am far from home;
Lead thou me on;
Keep thou my feet;
I do not ask to see;
One step enough for me."
The reverse side of the ribbon is plain and has no markings.Collection
BechtelAcquisition
Accession
2010.1Source or Donor
Mr. BechtelAcquisition Method
Gift/PurchaseCredit Line
BECHTEL