The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1898-07-18
The Big Development of the War.

A little later, when the excitement OF
war shall have subsded, intelligent
Americans will recognize as worthy OF
exceptional admiration a new war hero
whose dimensions will grow the more
carefully his official character and
achievements are studied. We refer to
the communicative of our land
and naval forces, President William
Mckinley.
He went into office with many mem-
bers of his own party distrustful, not
of his ability, experience or sincerity,
but of his frmness. There We're those
who feared that while he had the best
of intentions he might yield unduly
under pressure and end in vacillation
a career begun in high dedication.
Many presidents before him had de-
scribed a similar career.
But in the three great tests which
have thus far come to him he has sur
passed, not only the general expecta-
tions of the country but even the spe-
cifc and Nell-calCulated anticipations
of his friends. The explosion of the
unite judicial poise with statesmanike
prudence and foresight. Mckinney was
not swept off his feet. A judge on the
bench could not have been more delib-
erative and impartial in his attitude
pending receipt of the verdict of the
jury Of investigation. The eye of civil
izatiOn turned full upon him, but not a
iremor disturbed his official self-con-
troll. Yet the news of that crime had
hardly ceased to click on the wire ere
he was quietly at work preparing every
resource Of the government Tor the
inevitable war.
4 second test came when, with the
war spirit bursting all barriers in con-
gress and overwhelming every man at
the capitol who tried to resist its i'm
perious rush he nevertheless foresaw
the character of the struggle and it's
conditions with such a nicely of un-
derstandng that he guided this out
burst into safe channels and saved not
only our diplomacy but also our army
and navy from inestimable enbarra ss-
ment. Recognition of the Cuban pro-
visiCnal republic, as all persons can
see now, would have been a deeply-re-
GREETED mistake. Eut for William Nc
kinley that mistake would have been
made by a two-thirds vote in both
branches of congress.
The third test, though less exciting
was still more eXacting but it also
found him amply qualified. At Santa
go a desperate attack had been tenn
porarily checked by tremendous
slaughter, numbers considered. The
American forces, waist-deep in watery
trenches, alternately chilled and broll.
ed in the capricious weather of 6
tropical rainy season, had begun tc
succumb at a terrifying rate to malaria
and dreaded yellow fever. The be.
leaguered commander, upon demand, of.
fered to yield conditionally. Ever,
general up to and including the major
general commanding. influenced by pity
and quickened by fear OF disease, rec,
ommended acceptance of the Spanish
commanders conditions. They tooR
the immediate view. But generous
humane William Mckinley. in nature
as tender as child, looked ahead anc
said: mo terms but the enemy's un.
conditional surrender" Unconditiona
surrender It was, and by this means
probably the fighting part OF the wal
Is ended.
Some men who look great grow small
nnder weight Of responsibility bu