Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1897-02-20
TO WEST VIRGINIANS.
McKinley's Great Speech to Re-
publican Editors of This State.
OUR PROSPERITY AT STAKE.

Efforts OF the Campaign--Interests of the
State Cali For Republican PoIicy-No
Use For Free Trade and Free silver.
The speech Of William Mckinley de.
livered Tuesday. Sept /, to the Repub-
lican Press Association Of West Vir-
ginia is one Of the strongest, and most
patriotic speeches, he has yet made
Every word applies with special force
to West Virginia institutions. For the
benefit Of every patriotic citizen of this
state who should read carefully and
think over what Mr.. Mckinley says Of
our prosperity, development and needs,
his speech is published in full.
The Republican editors and their
ladies, numbering in all about a hun
dred, went to Canton in a special train
over the Wheeling and Lake Erie Rail
road. and, after dinner, were escorted to
his home where they were received by
Major Mckinley, and introduced by
| President p. w. Morris of Harrisville in
very clever aud thoughtful speech,
which lack Of space prevents reproduc-
! ing.
/ <NA' shSRhipJ ehSSiPhN9s
Upon the conclusion of the speech of
Mr. Morris, Major Mckinley stepped
forward in reply, and before the APP
plause permitted him to proceed, a MEM
Der of the West Virginia delegation
stated that Mr. McKinley's first vote
was cast in the state of West Virginia.
| To this the major responded that it was
| true, that he voted for Abraham Lin
! coin while u transient member of the
new states population and urged the
press representatives TO vote for the
nominees Of the same party. He then
| proceeded to deliver an address, which
was one of the best he has delivered in
| this campaign lie was in splendid
voice and spoke with an earnestness
| which convinced his hearers of the deep
| concern he takes in the right solution of
| the present crisis. Mrs. Mckinley was
seated III the hail just behind the speak
en- and paid close attention to the adj
dresses. The applause which inter-
! spersed the remarks Of the two gentle
men was a convincing proof of the bond
of sympathy existing between the speak
er and his audience, He spoke as fol-
lows:
"Mr. Norris and Gentlemen OF the
| Republican Press Association of West
Virginia; lit affords me sincere pleas
ure to give you welcome to my state,
my city and my home. From no quar-
ter could visitors be more welcome, nor
from any body of men than the repre-
sentatives of the Republican press of
West Virginia; from state in which |
am intensely interested as a citizen and
a Republican and because | believe that
upon the success of Republican princi-
| pies her advancement and welfare large
ly depends. (Applause.)
"The cause in which you are enga ged
this year is one commanding both con-
| science and interest. The Republican
cause was never more just and righteous
than this year, and the triumph of its
principles was never more essential to
the general welfare OF the American
people than now We have had great
political contests in the past. but doubt
if any war was ever waged which in
volved higher interests to the people
and to the country at large than those
presented in this campaign. applause
and cries of That's right. ) NOTHING
IS MORE VITAL TO THE STAND
ING AND PROGRESS OF A COUN-
TRY THAN THE PRESERVATION
OF IT'S CREDIT AND FINANCIAL
HONOR. applause and cries of That's
right, too') Nothing is more indispens-
able to business and prosperity than
that the currency of the country shall
be so honest that it can cheat nobody
| (Great cheering) Nothing is of greater
moment to the welfare of the country
than the adoption of policy which viii
| give to labor and capital constant en-
ployment with fair returns. applause
and cries of 'Good.') But, gentlemen,
LYING BENEATH ALL THOSE
AND MORE IMPORTANT THAN
ALL THERE Is THE PRESERVA-
TION OF LAW AND ORDER-THE
REIGN OF DOMESTIC QUIET.
| CHEERS All these are embraced in
the contention which is upon us this
year. In connection with these ques-
tons, as editors and publishers, you
have the gravest responsibilities. You
help to make public sentiment, and
right public sentiment is what is
most needed at this juncture of our ma
tional affairs
The Press Aroused.
"Never was the press of the country
more aroused to these issues than now.
Never did the Republican cause have
such mighty support from the newspa-
pers of the United States as it has today
This help is not confined to the Repub-
lican press alone. but includes many of
the greatest newspapers which have
hitherto advocated the Democratic
cause. (Great applause.) All this is an
evidence that THE PEOPLE APPRE-
CIATE THAT A GREAT CRISIS is
UPON THEM, and that the way to
avoid that crisis is for patriotic men of
every section of the country to unite
and get together in the common cause
of country. (Great applause.) 1t is
the selfish concern, therefore, that
prompts me to express the hope that
West Virginia may become permanent
ly Republican state. (Cheers and cries