The Republican journal., 1901-09-26
Mckinley to Lincoln and Garfield.

OF peculiar interest to-day are Nc
klnley's spoken tributes to Lincoln and
Garfield, the country's two Presidents
who have previously been stricken
down by the asSaSSin'S hand.
In an Grafton given with Lincoln as a
subject, Mckinley said:
Lincoln had sublime faith in the
people. He walked with and among
them. He recognized the Importance
and power of an enlightened public
sentiment and was guided by it. Even
amid the vicissitudes of war he con-
cealed little from public review and in
spectiOn. In all he did he invited rather
than evaded examination and criticism.
He submitted his plans and purposes,
as far as practicable, to public consider
alton with perfect frankness and sin
certify. There was such homely simple
| ity in his character that it could not be
hedged in by the pomp of place, nor the
ceremOnialS of high official station. He
was so accessible to the public that he
seemed to take the people into his con-
| tidence. Here, perhaps, was one secret
of his power. The people never lost
their confidence in him, however much
they unconsciously added to his person.
al discomfort and trials. His patience
was almost superhuman.
| Lincoln was man of moderation.
| He was neither an autOcrat nor ty-
rant. If he moved slowly sometimes,
it was because it was better to move
| slowly and he was only waiting for his
reserves to come up. Possessing al
most unlimited power, he yet carried
himself like one of the humblest of
men. He weighed every subject. He
considered and reflected upon every
phase of public duty. He got the av
erage judgment of the plain people.
He had high sense of justice, clear
understanding of the rights of others,
| and never needlessly inflicted an injury
upon any man. He always taught and
enforced the doctrine of mercy and
charity on every occasion.
OF Garfield Mckinley had a high re-
gard. He said of him:
His most enduring fame, his highest
renown, was earned in this House as a
representative of the people. Here his
marvellous qualities were brought
with gradual but ever increasing
strength, here he won his richest lau-
rels, here was the scene and centre of
his greatest glory Here he was leader
and master, not by combination of
scheming, not by chicane or caucus,
but by the force of his cultivated mind,
his keen and far-seeing judgment, his
unanswerable logic, his strength and
power of speech, his thorough compre-
hension of the subjects of legislation
Always strong, he was strongest on his
feet addressing the House, or, from the
rostrum, the assembled people. Who
of us having heard him here or else
where, speaking upon a question of
great national concern, can forget the
might and majesty, the force and di-
rectness, the grace and beauty Of his
utterances. He was always just to his
adversary, an open and manly opponent,
and free from invective. He convinced
the judgment with a searching logic,
while he swayed his listeners with bril-
liant periods and glowing eloquence.
He was always an educator of the peo-
pie: His thoughts were fresh, vigorous
and Instructive
His broad and benevolent nature
made him the friend of all mankind.
He loved the young men of the coun-
try, and drew them to him by the
thoughtful concern with which he re-
garded them. He was generous in his
helpfulness to all, and to his encourage
ment and words of cheer many are in
debted for much of their success in life.
In personal character he was clean and
without reproach. AS citizen, he
loved his country and her institutions,
and was proud of her progress and pros
perity AS scholar and man of letters,
he took high rank. AS an orator, he
was exceptionally strong and gifted
AS soldier he stood abreast with the
bravest and best of the citizen soldiery
OF the Republic. AS a legislator, his
most enduring testimonial will be found
in the records of Congress and the
statutes of his country AS President,
he displayed moderation and wisdom
with executive ability, which gave the
highest assurance of most successful
and illustrious administration.