Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1901-05-14

ne has truly at heart the wish to wipe
away all sectional differences and as
sure the union of the whole country.
The Daily Item is an Independent
paper, with strong .anti.expansion
views, but the Item has nothing but
kind words for President Mckinley,
some of which are reproduced for the
benefit of Courier readers. The Item
OF May 2, says:
The Presidents Address.
The charming personality of Will
liam Mckinley appeals with special
force and significance to the impul-
sive and warm hearted people of the
south. This swinging round the circle
OF the President of common country
is having the effect of removing the
| last vestige of sectionalism, and of
intoxicating juster appreciation of
the patriotism, good purpose and abil-
ity of the great political leaders of the
| nation.
| Priceless as is the boon of free
speech to liberty-lovinS people, it
has its illogical features. The heat
and bitterness of debate is ever aim
ed at a shining mark, and our appre-
citation of the merit of our foremo st
men is seldom uninfiuenced by parti-
san, favor or partisan prejudice. We
are prone to accept party praise or
defamation, and, according to our po-
litical creeds to idealize or debase.
When, therefore, those whose opinions
are irreconcilably opposed to our own
are given fair opportunity for discus
sion, we unconsciously broaden and
correct our judgments and do justice
to the sincerity and good faith of our
adversares. No more felicitous occa-
sion could have been presented to en-
phasize this truth than the Presidents
| visit to the still almost solid south.
Nothing is left to him unexhausted in
all the reach of political ambition.
There can be no suspicion that sell
fish motives can any longer inspire
his utterances. Twice elected to the
executive chair, in submission to the
unwritten law dictated by the exam
pie Of the Fathers, he must look ba *
at the end of his long term of service
to his record during a perilous AMI
eventful period of our national exist
ence for the place that is to be reserv-
ed for him in history. The purity of
his purposes, the loftiness of his aims
and the magnificent gifts which he
brings to the accomplishment of his
responsible functions must be freely
admitted by all who are brought with
in the influence of personal associa-
| ton with him.
We had accustomed ourselves to re-
gard Mr.. Mckinley as the very embodi-
| ment OF cautious prudence and cold
| reserve. The Napoleonic face of the
| pictures now seems but mask which
reflects none of the warmth, benevol-
ence and cheerful kindness that light
| 1t from within. 1t is a face which in
spires confidence and in the splendid
dome which surmounts it there throbs
brain, and in the sympathetic heart
that beats beneath it live aspirations
and sentiments that appeal to every
lover of his country.
His addresses throughout the south
have been worthy of his past achieve
ments and are specially becoming in
one whose effort is, "as President of
the United States, as the representa-.
tive of the people of all the states, not
OF one section, not of the north or of
the south, to do whatever he can to
sustain and honor and promote the
prosperity and glory of the Republic
we love-"
Extracts from editorials such as the
above, could be multiplied but we
must be content for the present with
these printed, that will serve as ex.
amples to illustrate southern thought.
In what pleasing contrast are these
expressions to that which prevailed
only a few years ago, before the peo
pie of each section had really become
acquainted with each other.
If this tour had been undertaken
Immediately preceding presidential
election with Mr.. Mckinley as a can
didate, it might have been said that
he was electioneering for southern
electoral votes but he makes his tour
and utters his patriotic expressions
at the beginning of his second term
and with no other thought than the
good of the entire country. In this
patriotic purpose he has captured the
hearts of the southerners who, nc
doubt, will hereafter have a much
more friendly interest in the admin
istration than if they had not come ii
contact with the man who is at once
President of the Union and most ex
cellent representative of the domi
nant political party.
IOWA COAL OIL.