The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1901-05-03

liberality of the american people can be-
stow upon them.
PRESIDENT PERSONALLY POPULAR.
President Mckinley possesses in an
unusual degree the character elements
which are conducive to personal popular
ity In his personal relations with men
his suavity of speech and manner act as
a social lubricant. The rough places are
made smooth-his very presence breathes
urbanity and kindness. His political life
is complete reflection of his personal
nature. He is not a leader in any sense
of the word. He is not a pioneer in any
enterprise economical or political. The
leader must possess courage. decision. de-
termination; in all of which Mr.. McII:n-
ley is stridngly deficient. His ear is al
ways to windward, listening for tie
murmur of the populace. What the pub
lie thinks he thinks; what the public
wants he wants. Should this public
change it's opinions he would, by the
mere force OF his nature, abandon his
informed ON political and national sub
jects so far as current history goes, but
like all versatile men he has thought
deeply on but few. This leaves him in
that amiable state of uncertainty which
enables him, without apparent incon-
sistency, to shift his rudder and adjust
his sails to any wind that chances to
blow. Having no destination fixed by
chart he may drift with the wind. When
the wind is strong he wings his canvas
and rides before it; when there is a calm
he scans the horizon for the first appear
ance of breeze. When it comes his
sails are the first to feel It's impulse
Mr.. Mckinley is an honest man. He
wants to be honest with his country and
honest with himself. He was schooled
in the policy of projections protection
for infant industries. He knows every
argument In favor of such a system, but
he also knows that the United States
now has shown indisputabIe evidences
that it has outgrown that system and
now needs the benefit Of reciprocal free
trade In this there has been no change
of sentiment on the part of Mr.. McKin-.
ley but there has been a change of cir
cumstances in this country which has re-
versed the ancient order of things. Here
L.
his party. He rises to the level of the
statesman by advocating the interests of
the nation, as nation, rather than the
private interests of individuals and cor
poratiops. But his lack of dynamic force
and determination has so far prevented
him from insisting upon the right. HIS
party has been against him and he must
Ierforce yield to the stronger will. The
wind, however, has been from the oppo-
site direction and his personal barque
has sailed in one direction while the log
book declares that 1t has been gcing in
another Tie difference between the
president and his party is ffost marked
on the subjects of colonial government
and reciprocal trace relations Mlth for
points of national policy he has been al
most brutalIy turned down by the party
bosses. With characteristic good temper
he accepted the inevitable notwithstand-
him in most embarrassing positions. AL
though feeling that the popular opinTJn
was With him. he has SO far hesitated to
assume the part CT active antagonism-
he was not sure the wind would hold In
that quarter.
The present trip, across the country,
will give him the assurance he desires.
He will test by actual experience the
feelings of the people on the two great
questions of the day If the public ex-
pressions Of opinion back up the opinion
of the press to such degree that Mr..
Mckinley. concludes that it is the sober
conviction of q large majority, ne will
take stand IN the next congress which
will be a surprise to the erstwhiIs rarty
bosses. He will do 1t, not because his
conscience. will allow him 10 do nothing
else. but because the people. whose serv-
ant he is. demand it.
President Mckinley is popular, not
withstanding his woefal lack of political
backbone, because the mass of the poo-
pie believe him honest and wiling to
do, so far as he can. The will of the
majority. Inconsistencies which in al
most any other man would appear ridica-
lous, in Mckinley afpear quite the nat
nral thing. His theory Of the presiden-
tial responsibility is quite fferent from
that OF any OF his predece ssors. He al
lows congress to assume and carry out
an administration policy without COM
nlendation or criticism We think this is
the legitimate result of his mental
and moral nature; it has so APP
peared Up to date. Whether he Is IN
possession Of latent powers which viii
burst forth under Tie stimulus of popu-
lar approval. to the point of opposing
venal congress. remains to be seen.