The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1898-04-28
MIR. SHERMAN RESIGNS.
The Venerable Secretary OF State To With
draw From The Cabinet.

Inc venerable secretary vi state 10 WIN
draw From The Cabinet.
WASHINGTON, April 25.-Secretary
Sherman to-day rendered his resigna-
ton to the President as member of
the cabinet and head of the State
Department. Secretary Sherman at
tended the cabinet meeting this morn
ing, and when the meeting had ended
remained with the President a few
minutes after the .other members of
the cabinet had left. He then return
ed to the State Department, and
shortly afterward sent his message to
the White House with note tender
ing his resignation, to take effect at
as early a day as may be convenient
for the President. -.
Mr.. Sherman retires from public
life after a service of over forty years,
embracing the House of Representa-
tives, the United States Senate, the
secretaryship of state, The reason
for his resignation is the condition of
his health, which is now impaired, as
the'result of years of devotion to the
public service. The venerable Secre-
tary is now within a few days of sew
enty-five years of age.
The next Secretary of State will be
Mr.. VIM. r. Day, at present First As
sistant Secretary of State.
John Bassett Moore will be First
Assistant Secretary of State to sue
coed Judge Day. He is now Hamil
ton Fish professor of international
law and diplomacy in Columbia Uni
versity, New York
The events which brought about
the appointment of John Sherman as
Secretary of State date back 20 time
when Senator Hanna was unheard of
in national politics. In order to trace
them consecutively it is necessary to
recall the memorable national con-
vention of 1888, when Mr.. Sherman
was candidate for the presidential
nomination. In that convention
William Mckinley was Sherman's
supporter, and his loyalty was at
tested by an act of self-sacritice rarely
witnessed in political conflict.
On that historical occasion, after
numerous unsuccessful ballots had
been taken, several delegates cast
their votes for William Mckinley
The effect was almost electrical, and
in few moments it seemed as if the
convention was preparing to make
him it's nominee.
In that moment of confusion and
excitement Major Mckinley stood
upon chair and confronted the vast
assemblage. His face was pale with
emotion, but his voice was clear and
mistaken as he announced he was
the friend and supporter ofJohn Sher-
man, and that any delegate that cast
vote for him Mckinley was not a
friend, but an enemy who was placing
him in false position before the
country.
The movement in favor of making
him the national leader in that cam
paign was thus destroyed in its in
cipiency, but the suberb attitude of
VIM. Mckinley in that convention
endeared him 10 all who admire hon
| esty and courage in politics. 1t was
one of the most dramatic scenes ever
enacted in national convention, and
one that will remain in the memory
OF all who witnessed it.
After the convention Mr.. Sherman
thanked Major Mckinley for his 10y
atty and said: Some day you will
be President of the United States
"If'I do you will be my Secretary of
State" was Major McKinley's reply.
One week after the election of 1896
President-elect Mckinley, true to his
word of eight years before, offered
Mr.. Sherman the position of Secre-
tary of State Mr.. Sherman advised
the President elect to name younger
man for the State Department, but
gave his promise to accept if the
President failed to find another man
to suit him.
1t is said the State portfolio was Of
| fered to Senator Allison, who declined
{ it for financial reasons, after which
the President elect renewed his re-
quest to Mr.. Sherman, who accepted.
OUR WASHINGTON LETTER.