The San Francisco call., 1896-06-28
HISTORIC CONTINUITY.

The campaign before us, it is universally
conceded, marks an epoch when old things
terminate and new commence. The long
antagonism between the South and the
Republican party, which made the South
ern States and their electoral votes solid
for Democracy, is over. The Southern
people have learned that Republicans are
not their enemies but their friends; that
protection does not injure them but
benefits them, and as a consequence they
are now turning aside from their preiu-
dices to consider their interests. This
change in the attitude of the South
changes the appearance of the whole po-
litical situation, and it would seem that
new parties as well as new issues were
about to emerge from the crisis.
1t is most fortunate at this juncture
that the Republican party has candidate
whose personal record shows the historic
continuity of the party and attests the
truth that the party of protection, which
so many stalwart Southerners will sup
port this year, is the identical party
which they opposed under the leadership
of Lincoln and of Grant. Many things
have changed, but the Republican party
has not changed. 1t upholds to-day the
principles it asserted in 1860 and stands
steadfast for them, because those prin-
ciples which were for the welfare of the
country then are for the welfare of the
country now and will be to the end of time.
The beginning of McKinley's career car
ries US back to the war period and revives
the sacred memories of the heroes who
died in defense of the Union and for the
liberty of the slave. As boy of Is he
entered the volunteer army and served
with distinguished merit during the whole
course of the war, emerging with the rank
Of major, which he had won by arduous
service. By this war record he connects
US with the great days of Lincoln and
Grant and Sheridan and recalls to the
public mind the aspirations, the heroisms
and the patriotisms of those illustrious
men and of the party that sustained them
in power and strengthened their hands in
hours of danger and difficulty.
Entering public life almost Immediately
at the close of the war Major Mckinley
took part in the establishment of those
measures of reconstruction which secured
the maintenance by law of ali that had
been gained by the sword. He was also a
leader in that wise Republican policy of
conciliation to the better class of the
Southern people which has made this a
Union of universal loyalty as well as of
law. By his services during this period
he brings the Republicanism of 1865 into
unbroken connection with the Republi-
canism of period when there is no longer
Southern question before the people or
any sectional issue to disturb the country.
1t has been no accident of circumstance
that has brought this soldier boy of 1860,
this hero statesman of the reconstruction
period, to the leadership of the Republi-
can party at this crisis, when the intelli-
gent and conservative men of North and
South will vote together for the restora-
ton of the prosperity OF their common
country. His leadership has come through
his genius, his integrity and his patriot
ism, acting in accord with the natural de-
velopment of our National history. No
man in the whole Union is better fitted to
hold the high Office of President of the
Nation as the country passes from the old
order to the new. Southern men as well
as Northern may delight to honor the
soldier candidate, whose record repre-
sents the historic continuity of the Re-
publican party, and whose policy is a
pledge of patriotism, protection and pros