The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1901-12-26

the question right, and indorse the princi-
pies which We're to bring relief to all. He
insisted that all that was necessary was to
make them understand the cause and eff
feet of the principles advocated by both
parties.
1t was during the middle stage of the
campaign that the results coming in indi-
Gated that the people were reading think
ing and determining conclusions for them
selves. They were beginning to see where
their interests were at stake. All this was
the confirmation of William McKinleys
faith in the people, and 1T was a joy of his
heart to feel that he could read Alright the
signs of the times and that the end would
Justify his faith in the final judgment of
the people.
His victory was greater in it's triumphal
faith of the people in him than merely in
the choice of himself as President of the
United States. This the subject that,
in after years, We often talked about, and
IL was a beautiful thing to me TO see how
much he realized and appreciated the con-
fidence which had come to him as a result
of his abiding faith In the people. If there
had been no other motive this was the
great incentive for him to use all the power
and talent with which he had been en-
dowed to give the people in return for their
confidence his best life work. And he con-
secrated the best efforts of his life to full
fill their expectations.
NY associations with him during the
years of executive life gave me further op-
portunity to appreciate as L never had be-
fore, the great reserve force which he pos
Sessed. He seems to have met every emer-
y, DfODlelllS
noying complications of the times, in
masterful way. These conditions furnished
the opportunity for him 10 demonstrate his
enormous talent and ability for success
fully solving every problem, rising to the
full measure of every situation, and over
coming all obstacles
And then the summing of it all in that
beautiful death, which was so characters
tie of his career, IS one almost unequaled
IN history. He has won the admiration,
love and respect of all classes of his own
pnrlIn nd ofa
There was one phrase used when we first
opened the campaign for him in 1895 that
seemed to fit the situation, and that was
the claim that he was the logical candi-
date" In the first place, he marked out
for himself a distinctive political career
lie had spent every energy and used every
effort in all his public service for the high
est and best interests of his people, in
spired always by patriotic impulse. with
sincerity never questioned. His election
to office always meant more than the
mere qualification of a selfish political am
bitiOn. He said TO me once-and l cite il
here to show that his ambitions never
sprang from selfish motives-in speaking
about some of the methods adopted in con-
tests for the nomination, There are some
things, Mark, L would not do and cannot
do. even TO become President Of the United
States" and it was my impression at that
time that he himself had little thought or
idea that he would ever be nominated for
President
GOOD NATURE AND EQUIPOSE.
A great deal has been said about his pro-
verbal good nature. He had that and in
addition to that an unequaled equipose in
every emergency. In all my career in busi-
ness and politics, I have never known
man so self-contained. He always acted de-
liberately and his judgments were always
weighed carefully, although there were
times when his heart impulses would re-
spOnd quickly, without apparently the
slightest delay. In all those thirty years of
close relations I never saw him in a pas
sion, never heard him utter one word of
what l would call resentment, tinged with
bitterness. toward a living person. This
was again reflected in the story of the as
sassinatiOn told by Mr.. Milburn, who said
that he could never forget the picture in
the expression of his countenance as he
glanced toward the bastard assassin. In his
eyes read the words plain as language
cOu4u express IL, why should YOU do
this?" And then when the assassin was
hurled to the ground. when the fury and
indignation OF the people had begun to as
sert itself, he said with almost sanity
compassion: Don't let them hurt him"
L know OF nothing in all history that can
compare with the splendid climax and end
ing of this noble life. one of the sweetest
consultations that come 10 me is the MEM
DRY that on Tuesday. preceding his death
he asked TO see a newspaper, and when he
was told, Not to-day" he asked, rs
Mark here?"
Yes, Mr.. President" was the response
and In that one sweet last remembrance
was a rich reward for the years OF devo-
ton which IL had always been my pleasure
10 give him.
1t is difficult for me to express the ex-
tent OF the love and respect which /, In
common with many others, felt for him