The county record. [volume] (Kingstree, S.C.) 1885-1975, 1900-11-29
PRESIDENT M'KINLEY SPEAKS
He Addresses The Union League In The City OF
Philadelphia.

| buked those teachings which would
destroy the faitl Of American man
hood in American character and
American institutions. The business
men in every part Of the country, typi-
fed by this great organization, were
a mighty factor in the recent contest.
And may we not also ascribe much 10
the influence of the home with its
affiliations? In any previous election
was it greater. or did the counsels OF
the fireside determine more largely the
vote of the electors?
Nothing in government can be
more impressive than a national elec-
ton where the people delegate their
power and invest their constitutional
agents with authority to execute their
behests. The very character of the
transaction clothes it with solemnlty.
II is serious business. Its issues are
always momentous. What lesson in
lf-government it teaches-sixteeE
million voters on the same day,
throughout every section OF the United
States, depositing their mandate and
recording their will. Done by the peo-
pie in their communities in the very
precincts of the home, under the su-
pervision OF their own fellow-cltizens
and chosen officials, and, to insure its
freedom and independence, the ballot
a secret one. God forbid that any citi-
zen selected for that sacred trust
should ever attempt to divert the will
of the sovereign people or tamper
with the sanctity Of their ballots.
Some disappointments follow all
elections: but all men rejoice when an
election Is so decisive as to admit OF
neither dispute nor contest. The value
of a national victory can only be
rightly measured and appreciated by
what it averts as we'll as by what 1t
accomplishes. It is fortunate for the
party in power If it understands the
true meaning OF the result. Those
charged by the people with admins
ration and legislation are required to
interpret as we'll as to execute the
public will and its rightful interpreta-
ton is essential to its faithful execu-
ton. We cannot overestimate the
great importance and the far-reaching
consequences Of the electoral contest
which ended on the 9Th of November.
it has to me no personal phase. 1t Is
not the triumph of an individual, nor
altogether of party, but an emphatic
declaration Of the people OF what they
believe and would have maintained in
government. A great variety Of sub
iects was presented and discussed in
the progress of the campaign. We
may differ as to ehe extent OF the N.
fuence Of several issues involved, but
we are all agreed as to certain things
which it settled. II records the un-
questioned endorsement Of the gold
standard, industrial Importance,
broader markets, commercial expan-
sion, reciprocal trade, the open door
in China, the inviolability OF public
faith, the independence and authority
Of the judiciary and benefcent gov
ernment under American sovereignty
in the Philippines. American credit
remains unimpaired, the American
name unimpeached, the honor OF
American arms unsullied, and the OBJ
legations of a righteous war and
treaty Of peace unrepudiated.
'"The Republican party has placed
upon it tremendous responsibilities.
No party could ask for. higher ex'
preston of confidence. 1t is great
thing to have this confidence; 1t will
be a greater thing to deserve and hold
it. To this party are committed new
and grave problems. They are too
exalted for partisanship. The task OF
settlement Is for the whole American
people. Who will say they are un'
equal to 1t?
Liberty has not lost but gained in
strength. The structure CT the faith
ers stands secure upon the founda-
tions on which they raised it and is
to-day as it has been in the years
past and as it will be in the years to
come the government OF the people, by
the people, and for the people. Be not
disturbed; there is no danger from
empire. there is no fear for the re-