The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1896-10-09
Why People Visit Canton.

TIC VI tllllC anu
Why People Visit Canton.
The Washington Post, an independ-
ent journal more often satirical than
serious. drops for moment it's BAN
tering tone to pay a graceful and mer-
tied compliment to Major Mckinley. 1t
says:
Whatever may be said by the profess
sional testers concerning the delegations
which for some time past have been pour
ing into Canton, no one, we thihk, VIII
deny that Mr.. McKnley's addresses TO
them have been models of conservatism
and of gentlcmanly diction. 1t is
within bounds to say that his part has
Lecn "a much more difficult and eXhaustins
one than Mr.. Bryan's. In the case Of the
latter there has been variety of scene, the
,XhilaPltiOn of constant motion, certain
knowledge of the hours at which the can
didatc has to speak to or greet his admir-
crs Bryan, although he has had an hercu-
lean work to perform and has performed
it to the wonder of all beholders, has still
enjoyed the advantage already referred TO,
and we can understand that they have
been incstimable. Mckinley ON the con-
trary. has lived the life OF a prisoner in
his own home. For two months past lie has
had practically no liberty of action He
has been compelled to remain in one place,
he has had no recreation of any kind,
and from one day to another he has never
known at what moment he would he
called upon to receive II delegation to he ~
their pledges of undying loyalty, and to
reply in lifting and approximately original
periods. 1t Is easy to believe that the
constant strain involved In this necessity
for eternal preparation, added to the mo-
notony of the adjuncts and surroundings,
Is far more wearing than the breezy and
active ana variegated conditions under
which Bryan pursues his campaign round
But Mr.. Mckinley is entitled to and Will
receive the compliments of every fair
minded observer of current events upon
the courtesy, the patience, and the genu-
inc Kindness with which he meets his Wis
itors, as well as upon the temperance
the moderation, and the patriotic purpose
of his speeches.
A comparison Of those speeches with
the ones which have been delivered by
his peripatetic opponent will amply
sustain the foregoing compliment and
leave still more to be said. Never at
any point nor upon any occasion has
Major Mckinley exhibited asperity. be-
trayed petulance or sought to gain mo-
mentary advantage by the tricky arts
of the professional campaigner He
has never lost his temper nor forgot
ten that the men who differ in opinion
from him are American citizens with
an interchangeable right to think as
they please upon all questions of politi-
cal interest. Although he has been
outspoken in denunciation of error he
has given utterance to no word which
could convey to any rational hearer a
sense of personal indignity or wanton
hurt. His addresses have been fmper-
sonal discussions of the subjects at is
eXcoriation nor vocal trickery for the
excitement of prejudice or i'll feeling.
1t is no wonder, in view of their
uniform excellence. that in all parts of
the country within feasible access to
Canton there should be a growing de-
sire among the people to hear some of
these model speeches and to offer to so
admirable a standard bearer the trib-
ute of personal greeting. This desire
exists in Lackawanna county as ro-
bustly as it exists anywhere. To it Is
due the popular excursion which will
depart from this city tonight. And
while the hard times which nave come
as direct heritage from the country's
mistake in temporarily forgetting
Major McKinley's teachings may limit
the number who feel that they can af-
ford the expenses of pilgrimage to
Canton. there is no gainsayal of the
fact that but for this obstacle the out
pouring from Scranton and its vicinity
would be enormous.