The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1901-12-26
His Memorable Speech at the COnven-
tion of 1855 an Index to the
Character of the Man.
PERSONALITY STRO
EARNEsTNESS AND SINCERITY TWO
OF HIS CHARACTERISTICS.
Much of His Success in Public Life
Due to His Great Faith in
the Common People.
pecial to the indianapolis Journal.

bOSION, Dec. IO-loeIdlOI AdACuo ~
Hanna contributes to the January number
of the National Magazine the first install
ment of a series of personal "reminiscences
of the late President, under the caption.
William Mckinley as | Knew Him." In
other articles to be printed in the same
magazine Senator Hanna will review the
career of his friend throughout the la
mented Presidents public life. The initial
installment, advance proof sheets of which
have been secured by your correspondent,
is here given:
1t is something over thirty years ago that
L first knew William Mckinley, a young
practicing attorney at Canton, .. Strange
as it may seem, L cannot recall the exact
time or place when l first met him. l know
that 1t was early in the seventies and L
have a recollection of being strangely at
tracted to the quiet and methodical lawyer.
Our acquaintance was somewhat closer
after his election to Congress and in some
way l always felt personal interest in his
contests from time to time. Our acquaint-
anceship was a simple growth Of friend
ship. His splendid work in the cause of
protection, as a congressman, further at
tracted me. This was even before he had
reached prominence in Congress as men,
ber of the ways and means committee. l
never thought of the possibility at that
time of his becoming a candidate for the
presidency, and not especially active
I'm politics except in so far as exercising
lican party. Our first association polit-
cally was in 1880, when Ohio took promi-
nent part in the campaign in which Car
field was elected. In 1884 William Mckinley
was elected delegate at large 10 the Re
publican national convention, and l was
another delegate Mckinley was an en-
thusastic supporter of Blaine, and L was
for John Sherman, and we contested the
delegation vigorously for our men.
A FAMOUS SPEECH.
In the national convention of 1883 we were
present again as delegates, but this time
we were both pledged for John Sherman.
and it was at this time he made the fam
Gus speech which 1 felt destined him as a
marked man, for President. Even before
this our friendship had seemed to grow into
something more than that of ordinary per-
sonal or political associates Somehow l
felt for him an affection that cannot be ex-
planned and it was at this convention that
/ gained an insight into the unselfish. un-
faltering loyalty which William Mckinley
gave to every cause he espoused During
that convention we occupied the same
rooms and were in conference day and
night as to the best ways and means to
bring about the nomination of John Sher-
man, Ohios grand old man. / sat by Nc
Kinleys side when he elOquently demanded
that his name be withdrawn for his own
honOr'S sake, and history records that he
did withdraw it.
1t was in the convention of 1888 that Will
liam Mckinley developed into a positive
national force. Blaine and Sherman had
been in their full vigor in 1884 and 1 had
the clear impression from that time that
every turn of the wheel brought McKin-
ley into the full measure of his merited
prominence. 1t was after very hot day
during the Chicago convention that Gen.
Ben Butterworth, Major Mckinley and
myself sat at a table talking over the
events of the day. The delegates had
brought forward his name Mckinley took
telegraph blank from the table, and dur
ing the moments silence, wrote down some
memorable words. He passed 1t to me with
the remark: IF this thing is repeated to-
morrow that is what / am going to say"
Il am here as one of the chosen repre-
sentatives for my State l am here by reso-
luton of the Republican convention cast
without one dissenting vote, commanding
me to vote for John Sherman. and use
every worthy endeavor for his nomination.
l accepted the trust because my heart and
judgment were ia accord with the letter
spirit and purpose of that resolution. 1t
has pleased certain delegates to cast their
vote for me. i am not insensible to the
honor they would do me- but in the pres
ence OF the duty resting upon me, l cannot
remain silent with honor | cannot con-
sistently with the credit Of the State whose
credentials / bear and which has trusted
me, l cannot with honorable fidelity to
John Sherman, who has trusted me i'm his
cause and with his confidence / cannot
consistently with my own views of my per-
sOnal integrity, consent or seem to consent
TO permit my name TO be used as a candi-
date before this convention. L would not
respect myself if 1 could find ii in my heart
to do. TO say, or to permit to be done that
which could ever be ground for any one TO
suspect that L wavered in my loyalty to
Ohio. or my devotion to the chief of her
choice, and the chief of mine. do request.
/ demand, that no delegate who would not
cast reflections on me should cast a ballot
for me-
LOYAL TO SHERMAN
His name was brought forward the fol-
lowing day. Pleading loyal allegiance to
John Sherman, he uttered with all the deep
sincerity of the man, declaration that
will live in all political history. 1t reveals
the true loyalty and unselfshness of the
man. and won for him friends and sup
porters who afterward joined their hands
in making him President. He was always
from his earliest political career, such a
willing worker that when l demonstrated
with him, he would laughingly remark "A
good soldier must always be ready for
duty.
His utterances in that convention are the
best index To his character that | know Of
and displayed in him those rare qualities
of manhood which convinced me that he
was destined 10 become a great power in
national politics. And here for the first
time il occurred 10 me that he was a lOgi-
cal candidate for the presidency in years
To come. | was with him In 1892 at Mime
apolis and. as 1t Will be remembered. the
demand from the people for Mckinley as
a candidate was even more outspOken and
seemingly irresistible than at the previous
convention. The situation was such that it
would have been an easy matter for him 10
have spoken and won the entire support of
the Blaine men. to say nothing of his many
admirers among those pledged for Harri-
son. At this time. IL was evident to even
the most casual observer that sooner or
later he would be placed In that high posi-
ton for which his talent and particular
abilities qualified him.
The demonstration at Minneapolis con-
vinced me that, although Ii was an i'm
politic thing for his interests TO nominate