The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1901-04-19
Honor. for the President.


ley, President of the United States, al
ready enjoys the distinction of the doc
torate of law, conferred by Yale, IT is
neither unusual nor inappropriate thai
he should be invited to accept the like
honor from Harvard. 1t is welcome
indication of the unanimity with which
the corporation of the university agreed
that 1t would honor itself in offering
NJ Mckinley the degree of LII. D..
causa honoris. that Senator Hoar, Pres
ident of the Harvard Alumni Associa-
ton, who is known as an opponent of
the Presidents public policy in many
respects, fully concurred in the action.
In connection with such a matter we
are sincerely sorry to learn that even a
single voice has been anywhere raised
in opposition to the proposed bestowa
Of the academic honor. But this is q
world of contrasts, and great people
may include exceedingly small and re-
grettabIe units, as in the case under
consideration. A few alleged Harvard
graduates, moved by political reasons
have protested that it is all wrong to
because they do not approve of his
course in the Philippines, or as to some
other thing connected with his Admin
istration. The New York Evening
Post" we are sorry to see, has lent its
columns to the support of this utterly
un-American, and, to all true Ameri-
cans. humiliating exhibition of impert-
nence TO the First Citizen of the Repub-
lie. The Evening Post" while arguing
that the directors rest their case upon
the principle that honorary degrees
should not be bestowed upon any prom
inent officeholder. no matter what his
party or record does not find fault
with Yale for violating its code of eth
les, but shows its animus and insin-
cerity in the remark that since that was
done, MIR. McKinley's character has
appeared in very different light F"
Comment upon such a statement is OBJ
viously unnecessary.
Within the memory of the Oldest in
habitant, so far as we are aware. 1t has
been the Harvard practice to confer the
doctorate upon the Governor of Massa-
chusetts of the day. whenever he has
not previously received it from that
ancient foundation. The rule was vio-
lated-rather unnecessarily we think
In the case of Governor Benjamin F.
Butler. The Evening Post" approved
both the rule and its suspension in his
case. Now, If it be proper to honor a
Governor, no matter what his party or
record" it cannot be held improper to
show the same courtesy to the Chief
Magistrate of one of the worlds great
est nations.
In the particular case in point 1t is
not only not improper. but it is highly
commendable on the part of the uni
versity authorities to show the appre-
citation of the distinguished character
and career of the Hon. William McKin-
ley. which vast majority of the Amer
lean people heartily feel. His whole life
from early youth has been closely iden-
tilted with the national history of his
time. He was hardly out of his adde's
cence before he volunteered to risk his
life for his country. After doing his
duty with distinction as a young SOL
der. at the end of the civil war he en-
tered the legal profession, and shortly
became an honored member of the bar
of his State. We need not follow his
public record in detail; 1t is too well
known to his fellow countrymen. But
II may be said that as one of the lead
ing members of the House of Repre-
sentatives, and chairman of its most
important committee, and, later, as
Governor of the great Commonwealth
of Ohio, he won laurels to which the
highest academic honors were not
necessary to add in order to make them
lasting and bright in his own day and
generation, and in the history OF the
nation.
Twice have the American people ex-
pressed their admiration for Mr. Nc
Kinley as man, and their confidence
in his integrity and ability as a states
man and Administrator. in electing him
to the Presidency by the largest plurali-
ties ever given to any candidate for the
highest office in our gift. An astute
man of affairs and great affairs; an ac-
complished diplomatist in his treatment
of the complex political questions which
have been and are daily brought TO him
for solution: an amiable and democratic
public servant in his intercourse with
the people, always approachablc and
ready to consider any suggestion or
grievance presented to him In good
faith by the humblest of his fellow cit
liens. Mr.. Mckinley has a record and
a popular national following of both of
which he may well be proud. More
over, when II comes TO the considera-
ton of his personal endowments and ac-
complishments, and ignoring his high
station and service, We must again refer
TO the record, and decide that one who
has taken the part he has In the politi-
cal and economic movements of the last
third of the nineteenth century. and has
shown his intelligence, erudition, and
grasp OF subjects beyond the ken of or
binary men, is in little need of having
the lily of his national and International
reputation painted with q fresh academ-
icdegree. Mr.. Mckinley could very well
nfford to do without the Harvard doc
torate; but Harvard could very III af-
ford to miss its opportunity 10 do him
the honor 1t has proposed After all is
said and done. and due allowance has
been made for party prejudice and
rancor. the American people. without
any regard to their political affiliations,
hold the President of the United States
In high regard. and VIII never fail TO
resent any slight attempted to be put
upon him from any quarter. The Har-
ward protestants and their New York