The Ohio Democrat. (Logan, O. [Ohio]) 1886-1906, 1891-08-01
JOHN BEATTY on FORAKER.
The Spectacular Speech Which NOmi-
mated Mckinley Bluntly Denounced
ns "Stlnking Rot"


Beatty, former Republican Con-
gresham from Ohio, who won his
title by bravery on the field of bat
tie, and gentleman of great cour-
age and ability, today furnished
card for publication, dissecting
Forakerism in the most caustic
and entertaing manner, The gen
eral speaks as follows:
"By gallantry and heroism he
(McKinley) won promotion until
at the close of the struggle the
.beardless youth, unknown and
without influence when he enlisted,
had risen to the high and RESPONSE
BILE rank of major of his regiment.
IApplause.] So brave, so heroic,
so gallant, so brilliant was his SOL
dier services that there lives not
one human being in whose veins
there is single drop of Republi-
can blood who can either forget
him or fail to support him with his
ballot on election day. Great APP
plause.] In the third place he has
been as great and successful in civil
life. lie has been a gladiator
in the political combats of the coun-
try as he was hero on the battle
fields of the Republic" c."-Foraker's
nominating speech.
There are two solid columns of
the speech from which the forego-
ing extract is made. EXaggera-
tion, Misrepresentation and full
some eulogy characterize it
throughout. Carnifax Ferry is re-
ferred to as one Of the bloodiest
battles of the war when, in fact, it
was an inconsiderable affair. Look
out mountain is dragged in, not be-
cause Mckinley took part in the
battle, but because it ENABLED For
aker to reproduce an old army
speech and glorify himself.
1t is not, however, my intention,
to dissect and criticise the speech.
l desire to say simply that the full
some eulogy- the sinking rot Of
commendation with which it
abounds-must have made McKin-
ley squirm in his chair, mortified
and enraged, for he knew it came
from an insincere, empty and un-
scrupulous ranter, who, despite Nc
Kinley's we'll earned fame in mill
tary and civil life, would not hesi-
tate to rend him in pieces and CO.
yer him with dishonor if few
votes or an Office could be gained
thereby.
Eighteen months ago McKinley's
military record was as we'll known
in Ohio as it is today. 1t was
known then that he was Il gallant
soldier in the war for the preserva-
.tion of the union. Neither speech,
print, amplification nor eulogy
could strengthen this brief esti-
mate of his services on the field.
He stood as high then also in civil
life as he does now-higher in fact,
for his name was not then attached
to law which for good reasons or
bad is obnoxious to nearly, if not
quite, one-halfof of American voters.
But, faithful as he had been in war,
able and honest as he had been in
peace, conspicuous as he was in the
national congress and loved as he
was by those who knew him most
intimately, this man Foraker could
readily, and upon the suggestion
of scoundrel whom he probably
knew of his own, personal know
ledge to be a liar, believe that he,
William Mckinley, Jr., was Il party
to an infamous ballot box job, to
promote or countenance which
would be grave infraction of the
law, "a violation Of his official oath
and disgrace to his party, his
family and himself.
Did Foraker then stop to consid
er McKinley's soldier record? No
Did he accord him any special con
sideration because of it? No. Die
he take time to send for him, t.
go to him, to write to him or Il
wire him to ascertain whether this
terrible charge was true or false
No, no, he wanted to believe i
true. He did believe it, and reioic
ed in the prospect it afforded hin
of assuming leadership in Ohio
Then McKinley's service to hi
country in war; his faithful dis
charge of duty in peace, his socia
standing, his whole life of integri
ty and uprightness so far as tn
public knew of it, were as nothing
to the low political quack, tn
mouthing mountebank, who nov
slobbers him all over with flattery
so fulsome that it would be DISCUS
ting TO sensible men, even if