President William McKinley’s Last Speech Before Assassination

On September 5, 1901, President William McKinley delivered his final public address at the Pan-American Exposition in Buffalo, New York. Little did he know that this speech would be his last, as he would be fatally shot the next day by an anarchist named Leon Czolgosz. This event marked a tragic turning point in American history and sent shockwaves across the nation.

The Speech

McKinley’s speech, delivered from a platform adorned with flags and flowers, focused on the importance of international trade and cooperation. He spoke passionately about the need for peace and the benefits of globalization, advocating for a world where nations could work together to achieve prosperity. The speech was well-received by the audience, who cheered and applauded as McKinley spoke.

The text of the speech is as follows:

My fellow citizens, I greet you with a heart overflowing with gratitude for the cordial and generous welcome you have extended to me. I am glad to be here, to be with you to-day and to join with you in celebrating this great exposition. It is a most notable event in the history of our country. It marks a new era in our commercial and industrial life. It is a splendid exhibit of American progress and achievement. It is a demonstration of the wonderful skill and ingenuity of our people. It is a revelation of the boundless resources of our land. It is an inspiration to us all.

We are living in an age of great material prosperity. Our country is blessed with abundant resources and a teeming population. Our industries are flourishing, our commerce is expanding, and our people are enjoying a degree of comfort and happiness never before known in the history of the world. But we must not forget that this prosperity is not the result of chance. It is the result of the toil and sacrifice of our forefathers, who laid the foundations of our government and established the principles of liberty and justice upon which our nation is built. It is the result of the courage and wisdom of our people, who have met every challenge with determination and fortitude. It is the result of the blessing of Almighty God, who has guided and protected us through all the vicissitudes of our national life.

We are a nation of peace. We have no desire for war. We believe in the brotherhood of man and the fatherhood of God. We are willing to live at peace with all the world, but we are not willing to submit to wrong or injustice. We are strong enough to defend ourselves and to protect our interests. We are just enough to demand that right and justice shall prevail. We are wise enough to know that the best interests of our country are served by peace and by friendly relations with all nations.

I believe that the future of our country is bright. I believe that the American people are destined to play a great part in the world’s history. I believe that we are entering upon an era of unprecedented progress and prosperity. I believe that the blessings of liberty and justice will be extended to all mankind. I believe that the principles of our government will be a beacon of hope to the oppressed and a source of inspiration to the world.

I thank you for your attention and for the honor you have done me in inviting me to speak to you to-day. May God bless you and our beloved country.

The Aftermath

After the speech, McKinley shook hands with hundreds of people, including Czolgosz, who hid a revolver under a handkerchief. As McKinley greeted Czolgosz, the assassin fired twice, striking the President in the abdomen. McKinley was rushed to the hospital, but his condition worsened, and he died eight days later on September 14, 1901.

Czolgosz was arrested and quickly brought to trial. He was found guilty of murder and sentenced to death. He was executed by electric chair on October 29, 1901.

Legacy

McKinley’s assassination shocked the nation and led to a period of mourning and reflection. It also raised concerns about the safety of public officials and the threat of political violence. The event had a lasting impact on American politics and culture, and McKinley’s legacy as a strong and popular President was cemented in the minds of the American people.

His last speech, delivered just hours before his assassination, serves as a reminder of his commitment to peace, progress, and the betterment of humanity. It is a testament to his vision for a more interconnected and prosperous world, a vision that continues to inspire us today.