The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-11-06
A SERENADE AT CANTON.
MIR. Mckinley Makes . Speech to Hi
Fellow TOvnAmcn.

CANTON, Ohio, Nov. 5.-For more than
twenty-five years 1t has been the custom
of MIR. Mckinley to address his fellow
citizens Of Canton on the eve Of election
and this year, it Unexpectedly developed
was no exception. The occasion for TO-
nights speech was a serenade by the
Grand Army Band. When the band ap-
peared on down-tow streets the word
quickly spread that the President was to
rade was organized. The paraders car
ried fambeaux The band played sew
eral selections when the Mckinley lone
was reached. and at the conclusion OF
each there were loud cheers and calls
for Mckinley. He was in the house with
Mrs. Mckinley and number OF neigh
bors who were spending the evening with
them. a--H
Finally he appeared on the porch. bow
ing TO the crowds on all sides of him.
In the vestibule stands the stump brought
by Tennessee delegation in 1896. Some
one picked 1t up and carried it to the
porch and the President was prevailed
upon to mount the stump and address the
people. He spoke briefly and concluded
by introducing Judge Day, who had come
to the porch. with him. President Nc
Kinley said:
my Fellow Citizens: am very glad to
greet you once more at my old home.
This is not year when / am making
speeches. Tomorrow from one end of this
vast country to the other the American
people will speak. and we must wait rev.
erently and in patience for their verdict.
l know you will be glad to hear a word
from our fellow townsmen, Judge William
X. Day, who has held conspicuous place
in the Administration over which you
called me to preside in 1896. l thank you
and bid you goodnight
Judge Day spoke at some length. In
speaking of the President he said:
We know with what reluctance he I'M
sheathed the sword of war: We know how.
with every fair and honorable means, he
sought to avoid war. and we know how
much he has contributed to place this coun-
try in the foremost rank OF the nations Of
tho earth with prestige all over the world.
and, what is far better. prosperity within
the limits Of this country for our own peo-
pie. I know that no endorsement will be
given him. hearty and universal as l be-
lieve it will be. that will be more appre-
ciated, that will be more gratifying to him,
than the endorsement that l think is in
friends and fsllow-citizens who are assem-
bled here tonight and. who will go to the
polls tomorrow"
The serenading party was the second
invasion of the lawn today. The first was
about noon, when party of nearly a
hundred marched up to have their pic
lures taken with the, President in the
foreground and his home for a back
ground. 1t was the county central COM
mittee the executive office force ard the
county candidates There wes no spec h-
making then. but general exchange of
greeting and much Handwriting, just as
there was tonight after the music and
speaking were over. In the latter case
the crowd surrounded the President on
the porch and he was obliged to shake
hands with hundreds before he could make
his escape into the house.
The domestic force OF the Mckinley
household was busy all day packing up and
getting ready to leave for Washington
Wednesday. President and Mrs. Mckinley
were away from the house a great part of
the day taking drive. There Is still every
evidence of full confidence in the result to-
morrow. among those about the President,
but all maintain the reticence that has
marked the whole campaign. Col. Myron
T. Merrick. Of Cleveland member Of the
national committee. is likely to come with
Senator Hanna tomorrow to receive the re-
turns with the President. The President
will go to the polls early in the morning.
but beyond that has no plans beyond the
usual drive with Mrs. Mckinley if the
weather is favorable. .