New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-06-04
TIE PRESIDENTS SPEECHES.

In his first speech after his nomination year
ago. which was addressed to his familiar
friends and neighbors at Canton. but read with
eager curiosity throughout the country, Major
Mckinley indicated a ready command OF re-
sources which he had not been generally known
to possess. His long public career, of course.
had left no doubt Of his ability 10 expound and
defend political policies with skill and power.
but his acknowledged strength in formal argu-
ment did not necessarily imply unusual pro-
fciency In the art which the occasional speaker.
to whom any theme may be assigned. must ex-
enplify in order to attain distinction. AS the
campaign advanced the promise OF his first ap-
pearance in the. character Of National candi-
date was brilliantly redeemed. and long before
its close he was universally recognized as one NJ
the most forcefu and felicitous political orators
that the country had produced. Day after day
for months and almost hour by hour. he re-
turned the greetings Of his hosts Of visitors.
representing every part and interest Of the land
with graceful. copious, appropriate and vigorous
responses. bipartisan in temper. though neces
sarily political in purpose, which delighted his
supporters commanded the admiration Of his
opponents and undoubtedly contributed more
than any other single element to his triumphant
election.
But though these campaign addresses made
profound impression uIon the country and
greatly enhanced the high repute In which the
candidate was held, 1t has become evident since
the election that he had something left in re-
serve. The President has by common consent
improved upon his own excellent model, and &C.
curely established his reputation as an Occa-
sional speaker Of the highest quality. De
or ln
doubt. in the estimate Of an orator by his audi
ence. but the agreeable impression which those
gifts alone produce Is never more than tempo
rary: and especially when the whole country is
at attention. something more Is required to
make the effort memorable President McKn.
,ey's Grafton at the dedication Of the Grant
monument notably possessed all the qualities
which public speech demands for the produc.
ton of an enduring effect. Its form was ad-
mirable, but the substance was even better than
the form. In this case the ancient description
was reversed and the materials surpassed the
workmanship. The speech deserves to live, and
n all probability is destined to live, among the
ornament examples Of English prose elO-
Quence.
A similar opportunity was presented to the
President at the unveiling Of the Washington
statue In Philadelphia few weeks ago. though
under conditions somewhat less impressive and
Inspiring; and there, upon theme long since
Invested Of all novelty, the President succeeded
IA impartins new vitality to thoughts and as
pirations which have been q part OF the Ma
tion's life for almost a century. Day before
Yesterday, In the same city, he spoke upon a
opic which was not peculiarly adapted TO the
purposes OF an orator, but which he easily lifted
II, of the limits Of the commonplace and made
he means of illustrating once more his singu-
ar capacity for appropriate. animated and sus-
gestive speech. Doubtless a man may be o
great President without the faculty which
Major Mckinley possesses in 20 remarkable a
degree, but such attractive revelations Of the