Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1894-02-23
AN OVATION FOR MCKINLEY.
Seven Thousand Persons Cheered the
Governor at Chicago.

Gov. William Mckinley, jr., of Ohio was
the guest of the Union League Club of Chi
cago last night having accepted an invi-
tation to address the members on the occa-
sion of the anniversary of the birthday Of
George Washington.
When the speaker appeared upon the
platform of the Auditorium Theater in the
afternoon there were 1900 people seated in
side, and out in the street there was a
crowd of 5000 who could not even get
standing room within the doors.
When the face and head of the great
protectionist appeared there was for an in
slant dead silence People seemed to he
sizing up the man. Then, suddenly, like a
sudden clap of thunder. the applause broke
forth and the great auditorium reverberated
with the plaudits of the multitude. The
enthusiasm of the audience proved infec-
tious to those on the stage, and on every
side Gov. Mckinley was surrounded by ap-
plauding admirers. The governor bowed
right and left as he approached the seat set
apart for him near the speakers stand and
engaged in conversation with John =. Will
son, president of the Union League Club,
and the gentlemen comprising The commit
tee on reception.
The governor was introduced by Mr.. Will
son. The enthusiasm with which the orator
of the day was greeted on his arrival Was
advanced to the speakers desk and Sazed
at the great audience.
1t was two or three minutes before he
could make himself heard and then as his
clear voice hlled the great theater the au-
dience relapsed into a quietly attentive
mood. which was only broken here and
there when the. speakers remarks called
forth the applause of the listeners.
Gov. Mckinley carefully traced at great
length the life of Washington, and n clos
ing said that in many things the :irst Pres
ident was far beyond his age, especially in
his views to the value and importa nee of
education to popular government He per-
ceived that real liberty must rest On the
basis of popular education. Washington
had the true American spirit of love for our
free institutions and for our schools and
colleges, and everything he said or did was
| in encouragement of that spirit.
In letter dated January -, 1875. he
said: 1T has always been a source of seri-
Gus reflection and sincere regret TO ne that
sent to foreign countries for the purpose of
education. Although there are doubtless
! many under these circumstances who es-
cape the dangers of contracting ;,rinciples
unfavo-ab.e to republican government. yet
we ought to deprecate the hazards attend
| ing the ardent and susceptible mind from
being too strongly and too early prepos-
| sessed in favor OF other political sy stems
before they are capable of approaching our
own.
Now" said Gov. Mckinley, Il fear that
| the hazard Washington deprecated ninety
nine years ago still exists, and that now
there are those of our countrymen who,
failing to appreciate our own. are too
strongly prepossessed in favor of other 10
litical systems, and have not escaped the
dangers of contracting principles unfavor-
able to republican government
Last evening a reception was given to
Gov. Mckinley at the Union League Club,
and this. In accordance with custom sane
toned by the usage of years was followed
hx- han ,,F 10
speakers. And his appearance was the sig
nal for a tumult of uproarous greeting.
When he rose to his feet an almost in
deScribable scene ensued Gray-haired
business men rose and waving their lap
kins in the air showed their welcome.
1t was with the utmost difficulty that the
| POSTMASTER secured quiet, so that Major
Mckinley could make himself heard.