Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1901-03-14

William Mckinley has been inaugural
cd President of the United States for the
second time, as his own successor. This
IL a distinction which he shares with
Washington, Jefferson, Madison, Monroe,
Jackson, Lincoln and Grant. The Ameri-
can people can give to no citizen better
evidence of their absolute confidence In
him-a confidence which is the child of
experience-than when they continue him
at the head of national affairs.
In the winter of 1890 no one would
have yentured to say that in little over
ten years time William Mckinley would
be entering upon second term as Presl-
dent Of the United States. He had just
been defeated for reelection to the House
Of Representatives. He was one of the
many Republicans who were victims OF
the reyerses which befell the Republican
party that year, reverses which were as
cribed in part to the enactment of the
tariff act which bears his name. 1t was
assumed hastily by some that McKinley's
political career was at an end.
The following year the Ohio Republl-
cans made him their candidate for Gov
ernor. and elected him by plurality OF
2O.5OO. In 1893 they reelected him by
a plurality of $4,000. All this showed
that he was a strong man in Ohio and the
man who has given evidence that that
great State is behind him may legitimate
" begin to dream Of the presidency. Inc
defeat of Mr.. Mckinley in 1890 opened
the doors Of the White House to him.
His record as Governor gave him the
prestige which secured for him in 1896
the presidential nomination over SO
strong a character as Thomas b. Reed.
The campaign which followed was one
of the most exciting this country had ever
known. There was breaking up OF par
ty lines, which was calculated to make
the coolest and shrewdest Of politicians
doubtful as to the result. During the try
ing summer and fall months of 1896 Mr..
Mckinley displayed a dignity and
strength of character which inspired his
supporters with confidence. He made
no hysterical canvass. He committed
no plumbers. He showed no timidity, and
he made no boasts.
The record which President Mckinley
has made is not yet ancient history, and
most Americans are familiar with it. 1t
was because of their knowledge of, and
hearty approval Of, that record that they
reelected him by an increased majority.
Not all of his two-term predecessors were
thus honored. He is deserving of this
special mark of popular favor, for dur
ing four years he has been exposed to
the scrutiny of the world. Political enc
mics have watched his every step. They
have scrutinized closely every act. Moth
Ing has been disclosed to his disadvan-
tage.
Ends Commercial Crisis.
When he took the oath Of office four
years ago Mr.. Mckinley was confronted
with a serious commercial crisis. The
country had been in business difficulties
for years, and it seemed as if things
were going from bad to worse. He was
pledged to new tariff policy as COM
pared with that which had prevailed dur
ing Mr.. Cleveland's administration.
Almost the first act of the new Presi-
dent was to call an extra session of Con-
gress for the express purpose Of revis-
ing the Wilson tariff law, which he con-
strued to be one Of the principal reasons
for the business depression Of the previ-
GUS four years. That law was passed
through Congress rapidly and without
scandal. Even the delicate subject of the
tariff on sugar was handled in way
which left no faint ON the administra-
ton.
The Dingley tariff was much higher
than it's predecessor, but it has proved
eminently satisfactory, and the Presi
dents prediction that the treasury would
be full to overlooking as soon as labor
was protected by an adequate customs
tariff has been fulfilled.
The four years Of prosperity which
have followed the four lean years have
amply justi6ed William Mckinley in his
financial and tariff theories, which only
ten years ago lost him his seat in Con-
gress. The prosperity Of the country is
so self-evident that even his Democratic
adversaries have never attempted to dis
pute seriously the fact, and the treasury
statement to-day is of such a character
as to demonstrate, so far as figures can,
the complete success of the Republican
policy of which Mckinley has been the
recognized prophet.
Calm Amid War Clouds.
With the beginning of the administra-
ton the clouds of war had begun to roll
up. Mr.. Mckinley fell heir to disturb
ed international condition which could
have only one outcome. He was not
responsible for the preliminary negotia-
tons and he had done nothing to bring
on the clash with the kingdom of Spain.
He accepted the pledge Of his party that
conditions in Cuba must be improved
and he was honestly attempting to force
Spain to agree to some peaceable solu-
ton of the problem when disaster oc-
Cured which shocked the civilized world
and precipitated red war.
The battleship Maine was blown up in
Havana harbor and while the most care
full inquiry could not develop the respon-
sibility the American people and the
world at large could only be convinced
that certain Spaniards unoHicially, but
maliciously, destroyed the ship.