The times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1882-1897, 1896-10-16
HISTORICAL PORCH.
WHERE WILLIAM M'klNLEY TALKS TO
HIS VISITORS.
IL Has Become an Inspiration to Patriotic
Endeavor In the Service of Good Gov
ernment-Compared with the Rear Plat
form of a Railway Train.

Endeavor in the Service of Good Gov
ernment-Compared with the Rear Plat
form of n Railway Train.
Many incidents and features connect
ed with the pending presidential cam
paign are altogether unusual The is
sue which has obtained overshading
Importance Is comparatively new
question to very large majority Of the
people of many, II not all, of the larger
states, an entirely new one to the east
ern section of the country. 1t was
dominant in some of the western states
some few years ago and upon it-or
kindred issues-the Republicans lost
control of the state governments of
Kansas, Illinois, Oregon, Colorado and
some of the southern states. heretofore
reliably Democratic, were lost to that
party. But at the elections of two
years and one year ago, most Of the
former were redeemed.
The nominee of the Chicago conven-
ton, William J. Bryan, is, or was at
the time Of his nomination, more of an
unknown quantity, politically speaking
or otherwise, than any candidate for
that exalted position since the forma-
ton of the government, with the pos
sible exception Of Franklin Pierce, and
such reputation as the New Hamp-
shire candidate enjoyed was distinctly
to his credit as a safe and conserva-
tive man. Bryan, on the contrary
owes his selection as the leader of great
party largely, IL not entirely, to a
speech before a political convention,
which was full of sound and fury,
signifying nothing" save cheap dema-
gogy.
An attempted comparison between
Bryan and Abraham Lincoln Is to the
last degree ridiculous, yet the journey
to New York on the part of Bryan was
| undoubtedly due to his belief that he
was in some way and somehow sort
of second Lincoln.
If the result of that journey did not
disabuse his mind of that absurd idea
and 1t is not at all likely it did-it Is
because of his overweening vanity.
In no one aspect, however, is the
present campaign more unique than In
the constant visits of individuals, dele
cations, associations and organizations
of all kinds to the modest home Of
Major William Mckinley in Canton, o.
The custom Of visiting a presidential
candidate at his home obtained some
what during the campaign of eight
years ago, when frequent visits were
made to the home of President Har-
rison, but to nothing like the extent 1t
has obtained in this campaign. Hardly
a day of the week. save Sunday, when
one or more delegations have not ar
rived in Canton, and, entering the
small yard in front of the home Of
Major Mckinley, have greeted him with
congratulations, and, in return, have
received a cordial, unaffected well
come, listened to words of political
wisdom, been given personal greeting
by the gentle. unassuming, but
strong and forceful man and speaker,
and marched homeward with the firm
conviction of his pre-eminent fitness
for the faithful discharge of the du-
ties Of that great office for which he
has been selected by a large body of
his countrymen.
A leading New England newspaper
said not long ago the porch in front
Of the modest home of William Nc
Kinley was likely to prove the most
effective stump" in the history of
American politics. Those of the citi-
zens of Vermont who were permitted
to participate in one Of these occasions
were forcibly impressed with the truth
Of this statement. The simplicity of
their reception, the absence of any
burdensome formality, the cordially
of their welcome, the simple dignity Of
manner and speech, the personal inter-
course with the man, the sweetness Of
the home atmosphere, everything COM
bined to impress upon the minds of the
visitors the real greatness Of the man.
The porch at Canton is likely to be-
come historic. Contrast its simplicity
with the theatrical parades, the dra-
| matte journeyings, the rear platform
performances of Candidate Bryan, and
you have a fair conception of the char
acters and sense of responsibility felt
| by the two men in the present critical
| condition Of public affairs.
Then contrast the utterances from
! the Canton porch with those Of the
boy Orator on his travels, and the
comparison is still more to the disad-
vantage of the latter From his porch
at Canton Major Mckinley appeals to
| all that is best in patriotism, all that
| is truest in American citizenship. He
appeals to the higher instincts of HUI
man nature, addresses the reason, in
| spires the confidence, arrests the
| Judgments Of his fellow countrymen.
The most impure or sacrilegious of i'm
aginations cannot conceive of William
McKinley's Indulgence in ribald jest
or blasphemous metaphor in dealing
with questions demanding the cool, de-
| Lucrative Judgment of American citii-
zens.
The porch at Canton has become an
| inspiration to patriotic endeavor In the
service of good government, the words
that have been spoken from it have
| been and are an incentive toward the
| fulfillment Of the highest obligations of
American citizenship, they are the
trumpet call to duty for the welfare of
| that great republic
| The rear platform and the massmeet-
ing utterances of Candidate Bryan
have been appeals to the baser pas
stems and prejudices of men, an at
tempt to array class against class
without dignity, without any evidenced
of a Just appreciation of what consti-
tutes the higher obligations among
men, the demands Of the demagogue
aspiring to leadership of the apologist
for the madness of the mob, not OF
the conservatory of the law.-St. AL