The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1896-06-19
For President, William Mckinley.

When we look fairly and dispassion-
ately at the work of the st. Louis con-
vention, we perceive that once more
have the people found the right candi-
date. They have chosen, not political
subtlety. as represented in Quay; not
unemphaszed breadth Of legislative ex-
perience, as typified in Allison; not
mere amiability, as personified by Nor
ton, nor Alpine massiveness of domi-
mating will-power. as s!gnalized by
Reed, but blending Of these separate
traits into personality strong without
offence, amiable without indecision, and
in its personal characteristics typical Of
the best Americanism.
william McKinley's biography is a
vindication Of American institutions
Born in modest circumstances. he
worked and studied until the call of
war resounded: then at 1S he donned
the blue, shouldered the musket and
marched to the front. He had no "pull'
to smooth the path Of his advance
ment. The conclusion Of the war found
him only a major; but from private to
major in four years, without prior
knowledge Of military tactics, is a step
that would be possible, to merit unas-
sisted, in America alone. The great,
conflict ended, the soldier became the
1aw-abidihg and ambitious Civilian.
Within two years after the climax at
Appomattox Major Mckinley had COM
pleted a course in law and been ad-
mitted to the bar. In two more years
We find him elected district, or as the
office is known in Ohio, prosecuting at
torney; and the beginning thus made in
politics. has been followed up through
congress and the gubernatorial chair Of
his native state until It will soon lead
to what in the judgment Of many able
men Is the supremest Of earthly honors,
the American chief maglstracy.
OF the man himself 1t Is almost I'M
possible to speak without falling into
the language Of eulogy. Think what
you may of his beliefs, there is no man
living who can fail to admire the mod
est. dignified yet determined manner in
which he has clung to them, none the
less through hours Of adversely than
In the sunlight of public favor Six
years ago, It looked as II Mckinley
ism," as the protective system was
called, had received its death blow. The
presidential election which followed,
with Its reinforcing surge Of Democratic
tidal-wave majorities, appeared to have
swept the doctrine for which Mckinley
had SO earnestly fought into the utter
most depths Of public reputation. Life
long protectionists became discouraged.
We can all recall how first one and then
another Of the Republican leaders wav-
cred In their allegiance and finally fell
to deprecating the Mckinley idea.
There was Reed, who said that the
country would never see the readoption
Of high tariff; there was Senator John
Sherman and there were hosts Of lesser
lights who misread the signs OF those
discouraging times and Joined more or
less openly with Democrats in disavow-
Ing the author Of the Mckinley tariff.
In view Of the recent Mugwump insinu-
alton that William Mckinley is not a
firm man, with the power to stick to q
given course Of action. 1t is interesting
to recall that almost the only Republi.
can who, through all the dlscouraR-
ments Of these unsettling times. never
once wavered, never once retracted,
never once seemed to lose confidence In
the ultimate Justice Of public opinion;
indeed, the man who, in the very dark
est hour, took deliberate occasion to re.
ahirm his economic faith and entered
notice Of appeal from public deceived
to Q public disillusionixed and sober,
was none other than this so.called va.
cillating man. this~ alleged straddler,
William Mckinley. e"1
Mckinley has been In public life for
two decades and has emerged without