Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1901-09-11


which came from a delegate from an
other state, was received with a whirl-
wind Of cheers. 1t was a trying mo-
ment. There he sat, the cynosure Of all
eyes, barely 40 years Of age and with
the presidential nomination Of a great
party seemingly in his reach.
But he was equal to the temptation
and proved the quality of his manhood.
He arose in the convention and In a
manner which left no doubt Of his sin
cerity forbade most positively the use
of his name by the multitude that
clamored for his nomination.
He said:
II am here by resolution Of the Re-
publican convention of Ohio, passed
without one dissenting voice, COM
manding me to cast my vote for John
Sherman and to use every worthy en-
deavor for his nomination. I accepted
this trust because my heart and judg-
ment were in accord with the letter and
spirit and principle Of that resolution.
It has pleased certain delegates to cast
their votes for me. cannot with hon.
orable fidelity to John Sherman, who
has trusted me in his cause and with
his confidence; I cannot consistently
with my own views Of personal integ-
rity, consent, or seem to consent, to
permit my name to be used as a can
didate before the convention. do re-
quest, I demand, that no delegate who
would not cast reflection upon me shall
cast O ballot for me-"
This noble speech in its dignity and
evident sincerity won the admiration
Of the convention and made host Of
new friends for the rising man Of his
party.
Mckinley gave another signal proof
of his devotion to John Sherman by
making him secretary Of state In his
first cabinet against the advice Of
many Republican leaders who felt that
Sherman was too far past his prime to
fill the office properly. When it became
necessary to displace his old honored
friend, President Mckinley faced and
performed the most painful public duty
Of his life.
Benjamin Harrison was nominated
for president and elected in 1888 and the
|Republicans secured clear majority In
both houses Of congress.
William Mckinley was nut forward
as chairman Of the ways and means
committee to embody the then preva-
lent views Of his party on tariff legis-
lation. But the Mckinley bill was as
extreme in one direction as President
Cleveland's message of 1887, which cost
him a reelection in 1888, was in the 9TH
err The country revolted at the higher
duties laid by the Republican party in
the spring of 1890, and in the following
fall the Democrats swept the congress-
ional elections.
Mckinley was defeated for the house,
never to reappear as a member Of that
body.
But the confidence of his party in
William Mckinley, both in Ohio and
the country at large was not shaken by
his defeat for congress in 1890.
He became the Republican nominee
for governor Of Ohio in 1891, and was
elected by a handsome majority. He
was reelected in 1893 by largely in
creased majority.
In 1896 he was nominated as the Re-
publican candidate for president on the
first ballot.
His nomination was a foregone con-
clusion for months before the conven-
ton met and his election seemed GER
tain for several weeks before the event.
He defeated William ]. Bryan in Mo-
vember, 1896, by an overwhelming ma
jority, both of the popular and elec-
toral vote.
In 1900, Mckinley was nominated
unanimously for a second term and in
creased both his popular and electoral
majorities over the same opponent
whom he had defeated four years be-
fore.
His popular majority was 623,677, by
far the largest ever received by any
presidential candidate.
The principal events of President Nc
Kinley's first administration which end
ed the fourth of last March are fresh
in the public mind. Since he became
president our country has had Its war
with Spain which was among the
quickest and most decisive in history.
To the United States have been added
the Philippine islands by purchase and
Porto Rico by cession under the terms
Of the peace treaty with Spain. Our
government has also established vir-
tual protectorate over Cuba, for whose
liberation we went to war with Spain.
President McKinley's latest public
utterance was at the Pan-American
exposition on the day before ne was
shot. In that address he took strong
ground in favor Of freer trade with
other nations, the repeal of non-reve-
nue. duties, extension of commercial re-
ciprocity and the cultivation or more
cordial foreign trade relations, conclud-
ing with a sentiment whichfs character
istic Of the man. Gentlemen, let us
ever remember that our interest is in
concord not conflict, and that our real
eminence rests in the victories of peace,
not those Of war. We hope that all
who are represented here may be
moved to higher and nobler effort for
their own and the worlds good, and
that out Of this city may come not only
greater commerce and trade for us all;
but more essential than these relations
of mutual respect, confidence and
friendship, which will deepen and en-