Fergus County argus. [volume] (Lewistown, Mont.) 1886-1946, 1892-08-11

Courtesy in Politics.

Inter Ocean: Several years ago that
cultured gentleman, George William
Curtis, preached sermon to the
American people on political cour-
tesy." The sermon was timely, but
reforms are not brought about by
sermonizing. They begin 10y example,
and the American people have an
example of political courtesy in one
OF the boldest and hardest fighters in
the political arena. This man is the
author OF the new tariff law, and the
best abused American of the present
generation. The whole world knows
the name, Nc ckinley. and "A good part
OF II knows the name ( O abuse it. But
this has not worried the man who
bears the name For two years he
has represented the greatest issue bt.-
fore the American people, but he has
never said a word that could be di-
verted from the issue itself to a per
sonality. lie has been the most pop
ular orator on the stump and plat
form because hp sincerely represented
u great issue IN which all the people
are Interested. lie has fought for pro-
lection TO American industries, and
has dealt harder blows at free trade
than any other man, bat lac has done
that without assailing the honesty OF
purpose or purity of life Of any free
trader.
In congress McKinl-y's personal
friends and admirers We're on both
sides of the house and confined to no
political party. In his canvass in
nl.s< L.. a
himself above personalities, but eN-
erted such AN influence over his party
followers that he kept the campaign
free from ISLANDERS and personalities.
To Governor Campbell he was a per
sonal friend, tn all people he met he
was man defending n cause with
sledge-hammer blows against free
trade, but hr had words Of courtesy
for every man who could not see the
question as he saw it. All issues that
engendered hate or bitterness were laid
aside for the one great living issue on
which men might honorably differ
without personal feeling. At Mime
apolis he stood between opposing fac
tions OF his own party, and com
Ielled harmony in the convention by
his personality and his fairness, rather
than by the use oi the gavel placed in
his hand.
Here in Chicago last week, when the
man who vast to oppose his protection
policy at Madison, was taken ill, Me
kinley was among the first at his side
with words OF sympathy and good
cheer. And no man more regretted
the absence of Henry Watterson at
Madison than did Governor Nc Kinley.
I'm that discussion, while Ex-Governor
st. John and Congressman Warner
raked up so much OF the bygones IN
politics, Mckinley held himself strictly
to the text-the tariff. There We're
some who interrupted him with ques-
tions about the relation of the Home
stead strike to the Mckinley law, and
those who thought this meant for inn
pertinence, cried put him ont" but
the author of the Mckinley law be
came the defender of the questioners
and then answered all questions so
, satisfactorily that those who asked
them became his advocates. The era
OF political courtesy has begun. Men
can meet in political debate, and they
can disagree regarding politics, without
, becoming personal opponents. There
is no cause for bitterness in the pres
ent political campaign. 1t Is qnes
tion OF business methods, OF pro
lection or free trade.