Semi-weekly Windham County reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1897-1901, 1901-09-07
w n. MCKINLEY.


| words, "best beloved of Presidents, "
a man whose kindly courtesy, chivSl-
ric bearing and wealth of intellectual
resource, and optimistic sentiment
have always made personal luminosity
impossible even among his strongest
lopronents, however hard they might
fight his ideas and policies, for whom
Cleveland, Campbell and Bryan, With
whom be mas had his glestest fights
always felt the strongest regard.
whom his associates in congress of
whatever party, as John e Russell
sa id 10 his speech at Brsttleboro 10
'92, always regarded as a dear
his time as the most consummate
politician, and the greatest popular
political leader Of our American
politics OF his measure as q states
man there must in this generation at
least be doubt and disagreem ent.
But of that quality ~hich Simon
Cameron described tn be statesman
sbip, ability ito see which way the
procession is going and to get in front
of it"-sccurscv of bearing with the
lear to the ground," to measure and
comprehend, from all the sounds that
come, the trend and Significance Of
popular opinion, and then to shape
and direct it With wonderful poser,
he has simply been unrivslled.
Without the philosophic insight and
reach aud originality Of Jefferson or
Lincoln or Sevsrd or the practical
constructive ability of Hamilton, the
tremendous logical power of Webster
or Calhoun, or the great powers OF
inspiring personal devotion Of Clay
or Jackson or Blaine, or the match
less intellectual fertility of Tilden,
or the lofty courage and sturdy inue-
pendepce Of Cleseland, be has been
more facile as = political leader than
any Of them because while he up
preached the great qualities Of all,
he had . way of avoiding tho sntaR
onism that all rsised in their paths,
and q power Of putting the thought
OF the time into affective epiRram
than NO one IN America, unless it be
Bryan, has ever tqualled. This ls
clearly shown by his slnost entire
freedom from personal attack though
the events Of the past three years
which wound have been impossible
for any man not constituted just ss be
Is.
william Mckinley wss torn At
Niles, Trumbull county, o. Jan =,
1S43. His ancestors lived in Pennsyl-
vspia, whence they emigrsted from
Ireland or Scotland. Members OF the
family including one OF bis direct
ancestors, have had great psrts in
Ireland's heroic struggles Of the past.
His grandfather, Daniel Mckinley,
was soldier 10 the Revolution,
distinguished for gallantry at Brandy
wine. Germantown and Monmouth.
His father was an Industrious, SEN
sible and prosperous iron manufsc-
turer. who died in 1892 at the age Of
s5; his mother Is still living in Can
ton, U, at the advanced age of 81.
Young Mckirley was educated at the
public schools ard at the Poland
Mshoning county, academy, and
attended for a snort time the NJ f
college at Meadville, Pa.
In June, 1861, he enlisted in the
23d Ohio Vol Inf as private soldier.
was within year promoted through
the lieutenantcies to captain and in
1866 was breveted major by President
Lincoln for gallant and meritorious
services at tue battles Of Opquesn,
Fishers Hill and Cedar Creek. He
served 90 the staff OF Gen X r Hayes,
who describ ed him the most efficient
and prom ising young man he ever
Gems Crook, Hancock and Carroll. He
was with the famous 23d in ell its
battles, anu was mustered out with it,
July 2G. 1865. He bad liking for the
m military profession, and it vas said
that but for the advice of his father.
he would, at the solicitation of
Gen Carroll, have attached himself to
the regular srmy.
At the close OF the war he retr rned
to Ohio. He studied law Sith the
j udge Charles E Glidden, whose
v widow lives 10 Brattleboro ss does his
son, Chas + Giddeu, and to Judge
Gidden be has often said he owed
more than to any Other man With
whom be ever cane in contact. II
vas graduated from the Albany Law
school and 10 1867 admitted to the
bsr, and located at Canton. He was
elected prosecuting attorney Of the
county in 1869, end from that time
his political rise Vas rapid.
January 25 he married Miss Ida
Ssxtor, daughter of JaTes A Saxton,
q pro inent citizen Of Canton. The
uu ion has teen q happy one and his
tender care Of her in these later
years Of broken health sud mind has
exhibited him ip his poblest aud
n ost lossble character. Their only
two children died very young. He
has said that it YES she who made
hin"
He was first elected to Congress in
1876 and served IA years. except part of
his fourth term when he was unseated
late In tie first session. Three times
legislators attempted to get
rid Of him BY gerrymsnder. but every
time he went before the people with his
wonderful campaigning powers and se-'l
cured reelection. In 1873 district was
made of 100 majority against him, but
he carried it by 1900. ln 1884 another
gerrymsnder made It 1000 against
him but he woD by 1000. In 1880 the
supreme effort WAS made with district |
1900 Democratic but after canvass OF
every part Of the district, day and
night, on the fullest vote ever polled ia
the district, Ms, Mckinley reduced this
msiority to 1903. He received $500 more
votes 10 the district than had been cast
for Gen Harrison for President In 1883
in the same district.
When, In 1880 Gen Garfield vas nomi-
mated for the presidency, Mai Mckinley
was assigned to the committee on ways
and means in his place. He continued
to serve on this committee until the end
OF his congressional career, being chair
man Of the committee during the 5lst
Congress and author cf the famous tsrif