Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1891-07-23
Dramatic Incidents in the National
Republican Convention Which
Named Gar field
Buckeye Memorable Speech in
Which the Ohio Statesman
Withdrew From the Race.
Great Loyalty Of the Ohio Leader
to Sherman-A Lofty.
Character.


such superb race for the governorship OF
Ohio with the almost certainty of win.
ming, was his memorable Speech to the
vention on Saturday, June %, 1888. No
one who heard it will ever forget it, says
the Cleveland Leader. Nor will the sub
lime picture, a masterpiece of flesh ana
blood, which he presented, as he stood up
on his chair among Ohio delegates during
the applause that greeted his rising, ever
fade from the eyes that saw it. That was
a convention filled with stirring scenes
and noisy demonstrations, but no scene
was more stirring than the Mckinley in
cident, as it was termed, nor was more
uproarous in unrestrained and unrestrain-
able enthusiasm.
Everybody in America knows the Maj
Mckinley went to Chicago pledged to
Sherman and his candidacy. No man in
the Ohio delegation or out of it either, for
that matter, did more than Mckinley for
Ohio's presidential candidate. He worked
night and day for Sherman with loyalty
that was not, never has been and never
will be questioned. Yet from the vel !
beginning of the convention he was re-
garded as an unusually promising presi-
Dental quantity. That such was the case
annoyed Mckinley far more than it hatter-
ed him. On the very first ballot, taken
Friday, June %, two enthusiastic dele
gates from Texas voted for him, nor did
they falter in their faith until Harrison
was seen to be the nominee. The second
ballot found converts in Kansas and Mass
achusetts and the third in Kentucky, New
Jersey and West Virginia. In all there
was but eight votes in total of $50, but
they Embossed mems tongues and the rivu-
let gave promise Of becoming a river with
current that could not be stemmed. SeGa-
tor Sherman friends shook in their shoes
and no one more so than Mckinley him
self. Ohio might be honored, but not in
the manner many men wished. The dele
cation from this state had been agitated
during these three ballots like.
REED IN A STORM.
In truth it had fuctuated from the first,
for reasons unnecessary to enumerate at this
time. When the convention adjourned
Mckinley's name was on every tongue,
and he In turn became very unhappy
man, for he well knew the purpose of his
presence in Chicago, and was alarmed at
his own popularity.
TIE Mckinley boom fourjshed amazing
ly during the night of Friday. The lines
of Sherman, Blaine, Harrison, Gresham,
Allison, Depew and Alger wavered in
spots percer tibly. Maj Mckinley mean,
while did all he could for Sherman, insist
ing at the same time that no true friend of
his would take advantage of opportunity
and mention his name in connection with
the nominatio.. However, his boom
grew apace and the sun came up on Satur-
day hot and bright. The roll of states was
called for the fourth ballot and man in
Connecticut cast the first vote of the day
for Mckinley. A yell from Texas and a
cheer from New Jersey came forth in ap-
proval, then the Major arose, his coat but
toned closely to his form and stood up on
his chair. His face was pale, but he was
master Of himself under the confusing gaze
of twenty thousand eyes or more. When
he spoke every ear was strained to catch
each word he uttered. 81 am here as one
of the chosen representatives of my state, -
SAID he with great deiberation, and In a
voice which filled the great hall of the con-
vention. 81 am here, he continued, 'by
a resolution of the republican convention,
passed without one dissenting voice, COM
handing me to cast my vote for John Sher-
man and use every worthy endeavor for his
nomination, | accepted the trust because
my heart and Judgment were in accord
with the letter and spirit and purpose of
the resolution. 1t has pleased certain del
egates to cast their votes for me. am
not insensibe to the honor they would Go
me, but In the presence OF the duties lying
upon me | can not remain silent with
honor. | cannot consistently with the
i ~ g {l,Or 4,Eo j l.
and which has trusted me; | cannot
WITH HONORABLE FIDELITY
to John Sherman, who has trusted me in
his cause and with his confidence; ] can
not, consistent with my own views of my
personal integrity, consent, or seem to
consent, to permit my name to be used as
candidate before this convention.
would not respect myself if | could find it
in my heart to do, to say, or permit to be
done that which could even be ground for
any one to suspect that | wavered in my
loyalty to Ohio or my devotion to the
chief of her choice and the chief of mine.
| do request demand, that no delegate
who would not cast reflection upon me
should cast a ballot for me-"
That speech, together with his personal
efforts among the delegates, put quietus
to the Mckinley boom, notwithstanding
the fact that On Sunday it expanded some
what as the hours went by. On Monday
and the eighth ballot Harrison was NOM
mated. Governor Foraker, at last Wednes-
days session of the convention, put into
homely, but expressive words monument
al truth when he said mo republican can
didatc has ever suffered defeat through the
fault of William Mckinley. There is not
one single drop of cut throat blood in his
veins, He is merely incapable of the
treacnery and cowardice of political assas-
stnation. He doesn't know what a
political razor Is, and has only contempt
for the Sneaking, hypocritical scound1el
who would use one Mckinley might
have been nominated for president had he
held his peace. but we love him more be-
caure he wasn't.
ANOTHER INCIDENT.
There is another bit of political history
connected with that convention which
shows McKinley's loyalty to Sherman.
The boom for Mckinley in the convention
on Friday and Saturday attracted much
attention and excited a good many of the
Ohio delegates. McKinley's personal
friends and admirers were hattered, and
they demonstrated with him for uttering
that speech Saturday morning. On Sun
day after the telegram had been received
from Mr.. Blaine, Absolutely refusing to al
low the use of his name in the convention,
the leaders in New York and Pennsyl-
vania were looking Iabout for combina.
tons, and overtures were made to Nc
Kinley's friends which again raised their
hopes. McKinley's work through the
week had exhausted him, and too i'll to
leave his room he remained in bed. Many
OF the Ohio delegates were in conference