The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1896-09-09
HE PRAISES
THE PRESS.
Mckinley Speaks EIOquentIy to
Republican Editors
Of Ohio, Who Visit Him at
Canton.
NONE OF BITTERNESS
Should Be Allowed In This
Campaign Says Mckinley.
1t Is a Contest of Intelligence
and Ballots.

Canton. O., Sept. 9-The Ohio Repub-
Hcan Editorial association yesterday
afternoon listened to the mastery ad-
dress of Chas. Emory Smith of the
Philadelphia Press and then marched
in a body to Major McKinley's home.
The editors We're Joined by a number
of Cantonians and the party which
cheered Major Mckinley when he ap-
peared on the porch numbered several
hundred. The venerable John Hopely
of the Bucyrus Journal was spokesman
for the editors.
Major Mckinley in replying ac-
acknowledged the gracious words of
the venerable spokesman and bade all
the editors welcome to his home and to
Canton. He then spoke of the freedom
of the press in Ohio and throughout the
country, and also congratulated his au-
dience on the disappearance of section
aism. The partition lines had been
obliterated, he said, and no part of this
republic can now be justly called the
enemy's country.
Newspaper men and everybody else
could go freely and speak freely, and
write freely on every spot of ground
beneath the glorious flag. The speaker
then praised the loyalty of the Repub-
Hcan editors of Ohio. This year, he
said, they were more earnest, more ag-
gressive, and more efficient than ever
before. He said they appreciated the
Overmastering Importance of the issues
involved in the present contest and
were leading in a glorious campaign of
education. I have never remembe bered
any period" said Major Mckinley,
save and except the war. when the
Repu ubican press so signally repre-
sented national honor and national
welfare as now
Continuing, he said: TT is not often
given to a political party, as it is given
to ours to stand between national honor
and dishOnOr; public faith and repudia-
ton. 1t is the good fortune of the Re
publican party to stand in this contest
for what is best in government for
what is patriotic in citizenship, for
what tends to the support of the finan-
cial integrity of the government its
credit and it's currency. It is a vast
responsibility to put upon any party,
but the Republican party is not with
out trial amidst grave responsibilities
1t has performed supreme duty before.
1t has met great trusts before. 1t has
discharged too, with wisdom, courage
and fidelity and it will meet the new
ones with honest and unfaltering pur-
pose to serve the best interests of the
people and all the people. (Applause)
Il u lh4AdIGly III lLllS contest, Lne EGeDuD-
ican party is not alone in it's support
of the Republican cause Conservative
men of all parties stand with it. 1t
numbers among its strongest allies
many of the powerful Democratic
newspapers east and west which are
doing yeoman service for patriotism
and national honor. (Applause)
''They are welcome, thrice welcome.
and the country owes them a debt of
17af7.
as against party, for sound money and
public morals. (Great applause)
This is year, gentlemen, of po-
Htical contention without bitterness.
Intelligence and investigation are TAX
ing the place of passion and party
prejudices cut little figure in a crisis
like this. We must not indulge in as
persion or elimination against those
who may have differed from US in the
past, but who are now with US in pat
riOtic effort to preserve the good faith
of the country and enforce public and
private honor. (Applause)
we must not drive anybody out of
camp but welcome everybody in. You
doubtless nave grown weary of being
told of the greatness and power and
value of the press SO many times STYLED
the 'Preserver of our liberties and the
hope of mankind 1t was Bulwer
believe, who commanded: Take away
the sword; states can be saved without
it; bring the pen This is a year for
press and pen. The sword has been
sheathed. The only force now needed
is the force of reason, and the only
power to be invoked is that of inteIli-
gence and patriotism. (CIreat applauseO
Our people have extended to the press
the most generous patronage, and ac-
corded it the greatest Difference, so that
the press has grown with our growth
and advanced with our advancement.
There are nearly as many newspapers
and periodicals published in the United
States as in all the rest of the world
beside To me the newspaper is so vast
and comprehensive that I can never
contemplate its possibilities without be
coming interested and enthusiastic in
the subject.
Why, to be a real, capable and
worthy journalist, wise, hOnora BILE and
efficient, is to attain the highest plane
of human opportunity and usefulness.
To love and proclaim truth for truths
sake, to disseminate knowledge and
useful information, to correct false i'm
pressions, to enlighten the people, to
feed the minds OF an expectant and
anxious people with the occurrences of
the world, daily-indeed, almost hourly
to discover and correct abuses, fairly
and hOnorably advocate a great cause
in short mould and direct public Opin-
ion, which is always the mission of
journalism, is surely the noblest Of pro-
fessions. Great applause-)
Poor it may be in some parts of the
world, deSpised it may be by the 1ntol-
Grant and ignorant everywhere, but de-
graded it never can be SO long as it is
for the great people.
The press Of Ohio has proudly held