[SEAL.]
Given under my hand and the seal of the United States, at Washington, the 23d day of February, A.D. 1901, and of the Independence of the United States the one hundred and twenty-fifth.
WILLIAM McKINLEY.
By the President:
JOHN HAY,
Secretary of State.
BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES.
A PROCLAMATION.
EXECUTIVE MANSION, Washington, March 14, 1901.
To the People of the United States:
Benjamin Harrison, President of the United States from 1889 to 1893, died yesterday at 4:45 P.M., at his home in Indianapolis. In his death the country has been deprived of one of its greatest citizens. A brilliant soldier in his young manhood, he gained fame and rapid advancement by his energy and valor. As a lawyer he rose to be a leader of the bar. In the Senate he at once took and retained high rank as an orator and legislator; and in the high office of President he displayed extraordinary gifts as administrator and statesman. In public and in private life he set a shining example for his countrymen.
In testimony of the respect in which his memory is held by the Government and people of the United States, I do hereby direct that the flags on the Executive Mansion and the several Departmental buildings be displayed at half staff for a period of thirty days; and that suitable military and naval honors, under the orders of the Secretaries of War and of the Navy, be rendered on the day of the funeral.