The Van Buren press., 1901-09-21

a61oaa,sauuua1Eaa "
was still more crooked than that which
the surgeon had set.
my client seems to have done better
by this man than nature itself did,
said Mckinley, land move that the
suit be dismissed, with recommends
ton to the plaintiff that he have the
other leg broken and then set by the
same surgeon who set the first one.
He was first elected to congress in
1879 and served continuously in the
house of representatives until March,
1914 years in all except part of the
fourth term, when he was unseated late
In the first session 1t was Democrat
ic tidal year year that overwhelmed
Secretary Folger. Mr. Mckinley was
elected in his district, on the face of the
returns, by majority of eight. He
met Secretary Folger, just fresh from
his overthrow. In the course of the
conversation Mr.. Mckinley remarked
on his narrow majority. The reply of
the secretary was Young man, let
me tell you that eight votes is Il mighty
big Republican majority this fall. -
He was three times 'gerrymandered
but such was his personal popularity
that twice he bore down all opposition,
and the third time he reduced an ad
verse majority of 5000 to 1903.
1t has been we'll said that to tell the
story Of McKinley's seven terms in COIL
gress would be to tell, In large meas
ure, the history of congress and of the
nation for fourteen years.
He sprang very soon to the front, be-
came the most able defender Of the doc
trine Of protection and gave his name
to the we'll known bill which crystal.
lied in legal form his economic views.
Mr.. Carlisle has said that Mr.. Nc.
Kinley's argument was as perfect as
1t is possible to construct and maintain
for the protective principle. Praise
from Sir Hubert is praise indeed -
In 1891 Mr.. Mckinley was unani
mously nominated for governor against
Governor Campbell and was elected by
plurality of 81 900. Two years later
he was again nominated and elected to
the same Office, receiving the high
est vote ever cast for any candidate in
Ohio,
1t was but natural that during these
momentous years his name should have
been frequently favorably mentioned
for the presidency In 1899 his fidelity
to Sherman probably cost him the NOM
ination for that high office. The inevi-
table was only postponed for four years.
In 1895 he was, rs you all know, elect
ed president, and again In 1900 by an
increased majority. And thus was the
seal of popular approval placed on his
official acts
During his administration the Ding
ley tariff bill was passed and the gold
standard law was enacted. Aside from
his service in effacing sectional lines,
which hold to be President Mckinley S
surest title to fame, by far the
most momentous event Of the admins
tration was the Spanish war,
The battle Of Manila pretgured the
passing Of an ancient Kingdom and the
birth Of u new world power. AT Santi-
ago the forecast WIS verified. Cuba
was free at last. The Philippines be-
came ours. The map Of the world was
changed and out of the smoke of battle
new epoch emerged. AT the thresh-
hold Of this new epoch looms up the
the commanding figure, Of William Nc
Kinley.
To the complex and perplexing prob
lens created by the war with Spain he
was addressing himself when striker,
These problems pass ~ legacy to his
successor and to u long line OF successors ;
for their solution Is too intricate for the
powers of any man or any one combin-
alton of men only the divine alchemy of
time and experience can furnish COM
plete solution,
This is not the place, nor this
the time, to discuss the merits of
the great issues which divide the
American people--issues in which
Mr.. Mckinley bore 80 conspicu.
Gus, strenuous and honorable n
part. | prefer to dwell, 1t needs
must be very briefly and imper.
fectly, on some Of those qualities
of head and heart which men of
all parties may proudly claim as u
common heritage.
1t is difficult to judge the height
aud the bulk of the mountain ut
whose foot we stand. Sufficient
time has not yet elapsed to give
us a historic perspective Of the
man. Yet, II we accept the die.
tum that the verdict of foreign
nations Is the verdict of u con.
temporaneous posterity, William
Mckinley must be classed as q
great man,
There exist two extreme views
relative TO what we call the
worlds great men. One IL, that
they are the mere creatures Of cir.
cumstance., That they are the
puppets of fate and chance. The
other is, that they ale God.lke in
their mental stature; that they
ride IN the whirlwind and direct
the storm.