The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1896-03-08
WILLIAM MkINLEY.

The career os William Mckinley hss
heau SO long identified with national legis-
Isrfor ard with the growth Of the country
! during the most remarkable period Of its
history that il seems almost superfiIous 20
! write A book about IL Yet no one can read
| the life OF William Mckinley. Solder,
raxyer and Statesman" without feeling
intense interest in its fresh descriptions OF
stirring events in which he was = promi-
r.nr actor and renewed confidence IN me
fr-e institutions which have permitted and
encouraged his honorable achievements
II would have been diTncuit TO select Tor
the rreaaration Of this work any one more
coTnp@reut than its author. Hon. Robert
p Porter a member OF the tariff commas
sion OF iss., and the superintendent OF the
eleventh census During nearly all OF Nc
kinley's public life MIR. Porter has been
his warm friend and in thorough SYM
pathy with his advocacy OF the American
protective system. which has been the most
couspictious feature N his political career
Tn. ,,a-ople of the United States are now
looking forward to the selection IN national
convention OF the candidates for the next
presidential election. They are concerned
10 know the personality and the PRINCIPLES
OF those who are most prominent IN thlS
connection. X Is now generally conceaed
mat the candidate named by the RepGoli-
gf<fn
and II will not be denied that no man IS
more prominent as the possible choice or
the Republican convention than William
Mckinley. of Ohio.
Mr.. Forter's life of Mckinley will there
fore be welcomed. IL tells the story or his
career from childhood TO the present time
and is amply illustrated by portraits taken
at different periods His opinions on all
important subjects will be found in his
les
and public addresses. No one can read this
work without drawing from It vivid and
clearly outlined conception of Mckinley's
physical and mental traits. Few men in
public life can point to record so Also
lutely free from blemish. so consistent
throughout. and SO uniformly marked by
high purposes, honorably pursued and sue
cessfully accomplished
His Early Life.
William Mckinley was born at Niles, O..
in 1913. on both sides he comes from that
sturdy Scotch-Irish stock which IS the
source Of some of the best and strongest
elements in the national character. Ills
ancestors took a worthy part in the con-
fiicts Of the Revolutionary war. His pa
rents were OF the best type of Americans
frugal industrious, good neighbors-and te-
spected in all the relations OF he
AT school and at the academy Mckinley
was early distinguished as a conscientious
and discriminating student and courage
Gus defender of his opinions in argument
and debate. He was fond Of manly sports
and excellsd in them.
When but little more than Il years Of
age his studies were suddenly interrupted
by the appeal OF his country 10 arm in her
defense.
Four Years In the War.
he hasfputpy of the war he enlisted
as a private in the Twenty-third Ohio
regiment Its first major was Rutherford
h. Hayes. In diary kept by Maj. Hayes
he refers TO Nc kinley as an exceedingly
bright, Intelligent and gentlemanly go1ng
officer. He promises to be one of the best
The brilliant soldierly qualities OF Nc
kinley brought him distinction on many
occasions. During the disastrous cam
paign in the Shenandoah valley, when our
forces were slowly driven northwsrd ty
the vigorous assaults of superior numbers.
Lieut.. Mckinley was detached to recall a
regiment in danger of being cut OFF By the
enemy. Gen. Hastings relates the story:
"He turned his horse and pushed at a
fierce gallop obliquely toward the advanc-
ing foe. None of US ever expected TO SEQ
him again 4 well-directed fire was poured
upon him. with shells exploding around
about and over him. Out of it emerged
ley firmly seated and erect as a hussar."
| He gave the order and brought the iegi-
ment away in safety.
At another time in the same campaign
he volunteered to rescue battery of guns
which had been abandoned In the retreat.
Having secured the assent of his oom-
handing officer he appealed 10 his com
rades. who were inspired by his energy
and enthusiasm. and the battery was re-
hi Mr.
refers TO Mckinley. then on Gen. Crooks
stai. VINO conducted him TO Crooks posi-
ton where a consultation was neli which
was followed by the famous charge at
Winchester and turned the rebel purs nit
into disordeTly retreat.
For galantry in action at Antietam Nc
kinley was promoted and he served on the
STATS OF Gems. Crook. Sheridan and Han
| cock. He entered the service IN June. ISL
| at the opening of the war and was mus
| tered ont at the close. in july. 1865. At the
| age Of =. with the rank of ma jor
As soldier often under fire and as a
| staf officer exposed to especial dangers
| and in positions demanding the highest
| scldierly qualities he was ever ready. cool
| and determined. At this early period OF
| his life he had developed that force OF
| character which made him a leader of
men and has since through all his lubhc
| respect His portraits at this time show
| him OF medium size. ereot and strongly
| built. with a noble head well poised A
| firm mouth and chin. and with clear
| calm and genial expression Of the eyes, as
| II fearing no man and conscious of no
enemy.
4 Successful LAWYER
At his return from the war Mckinley
| studied law with Judge Glidden at Poland
| O. and at the Albany law school He
| was admitted To the bar and began to
practice law at Canton. O. in 1861 AS A
| lawyer and an advocate he rapidly Won
distinction and built up a lucrative lrac-
tice.
In Is7l he was married TO Miss Sexton.
| the daughter OF prominent citizen of
| Canton. a lovely and accomplished lady.
| WHO, throughout her hsabands career. has
| been his constant and af1ectionate COM
| panion.
| Fourteen Years In Congress.
In 1875 he announced himself as a can
diaate for congress. He was elected. and
| for fourteen years represented his district
| IN the house OF representatives, In $40 he
was defeated for Reelection by a political
! trek which save his district a Dem ocratic
| ma iori'y.
N hlnley's congressional career may be
| lastly regarded by his friends and coun-
! ;rymen with unqualified pride. At the be-
| ginning he quietly f1willarzed himself
| with his duties ami took The measure Ct
/ his associates. Wherever h spoke IL was
! observed that he vas master OF the sub
/ gect He Vas conscientious in foralir- his
! cpl .pns. earnest and lahor,ogs Ia the
| prerAraiion OF MS arguments. and his Ian
slage was strong. clear ana effective. ISIS