Milburn, President of the Exposition Company, where on September 14,
1901, after an unexpected relapse, he died. The body was taken to
Washington, D.C., and the state funeral was held in the rotunda of the
Capitol. Thence the body was taken to his home in Canton, Ohio, for
interment.

The period covered by the administration of William McKinley was,
undoubtedly, more crowded with events calculated to try and to touch the
very heart of the nation than was any period since the Civil War. The
United States has passed through crisis after crisis in quick succession
and has emerged not only in safety but with untarnished honor, increased
glory, and the great consciousness of solidarity and unification. This
is attested by the wise management of affairs in connection with the
Nicaragua Canal; the increase of the navy, the formation of an army and
the imposition of taxes which in no way impeded the march of industry;
the settlement of railway claims; and the successful starting in life of
Cuba and the administration of far colonial affairs. Aside from the wise
counsels of the Executive of the nation, the calmness and cool action of
the people, amid distracting and perplexing events, have contributed to
the honor of the nation in no slight degree. All of this, and more, was
abundantly testified to, at the time of the deplorable circumstances
attending William McKinley's death by the unexampled outburst throughout
the world of sympathy with the bereaved nation and of admiration for the
man.




INAUGURAL ADDRESS