New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-09-26
THE LEADER.

The good people of this country cannot find
words 10 express their gratitude 10 Major NC
Kinley for the service which. as n modest. self
respecting citzen-splendidly gifted in all that
constitutes a leader of en-hc is daily render
ing at his home IN Canton II IS spectacle
which has not been witnessed before. Each DAY
the throngS appear. representing all phases ana
grades of American life. and for each this man
of the people has a fitting word. Gray-halrcd
veterans come with their thrilling memories or
heroic days and deeds, and Mckinley remem
bers that he. too enlisted as private. devoted
then as now to upholding the sovereignty OF law
and the honor If the Nation The boys come
who have yet their first ballot TO cast. and Me-
Kney inspires them with the thought of the
grand patriot. Abraham Lincoln, for whom his
first vote was cast. The sturdy worklngmen
come from factories and mills of many kinds
bringing their longngs for return of the better
DAYS when for every willing man there was
work. with good wages in honest dollars, and
Mckinley tells them there is no miracle about
IT, but that the laws Of 1892 viii restore the pros
perity of 1892. Commercial travellers and rail
road men, fresh from contact with the people
all over the land. bring words of cheer, and Me-
Kinley tells them Of their great influence and
high responsibility in the struggle 10 save I'M
furnished the Nations honor. Sweet girls and
gentle women bring with them an avalanche OF
fragrant flowers. and Mckinley welcomes them
10 the quiet home graced by a wife cherished
through years of suffering with a knightly dcvo-
ton and awakens in them. too. the desire 10 do
something TO save the country and the homes Of
the people from distress.
Always manly and digniied. always appealing
10 the nobeSt and most uplifting motives, never
Mt loss for pithy statement of the truths upon
which intelligent and patriotic action must de
pend William Mckinley leads the Nation 5
thought and feeling to-day more truly than any
other man living. No word of unfairneSS 10 op-
ponents crosses his lips Those who struck down
the National policy which gave the people pros
perity are greeted with cordial welcome, IF they
come to help in avoiding National dShOnOr to-
day. Errors are exposed with simplicity and
cearness of statement which few can command,
but behind every argument and every appeal Is
a serene and unwavering faith in the integrity
and good sense of the peoplc-in their willing
ness and ability TO judge rightly if the truth
IS placed before them. To such a man the arts
of the demagOgue are useless, and every word
that tends to kindle hostility against the sOver-
eign authority or between classes or sections
seems basely disloyal
The Republican party could not have antici-
pated that the candidate wisely selected by
the popular choice for this emergency would
prove in himself powerful a force in shaping
public opinion. 1t builded better than 1t knew,
as parties will at times when they forget the
cOunsels Of small eXpedicncy. and select the
champion Of a great principle. 1t was because
Major Mckinley had become better known than
any other man as the leader in framing pros
perity bringing tariff that the people insisted
upon him as the representative Of their desire.
But weeks before they reach the ballot-boX they
have come to know him as one of the wiScst and
ablest leaders. one Of the strongest statesmen,
one of the purest and best men the Republic has
yet produced. The Nation is honorcd before all
the world which can call from the ranks Of
private citizenship such a man 10 meet u grave
emergency.