The Dickinson press., 1901-09-21
POLITICAL WORK OF PRESIDENT MCKINLEY

RI
Now that the career of Presi-
dent Mckinley is closed there are
three features of his political ac-
tivity which stand out with a
marked prominence.
From his own testimony it is
clear that his greatest ambition
when he assumed office was to
promote a new union of the states
which should heal the wounds of
the old sectional quarrel, and that
ambition was gratifed in full
measure. This northern soldier
who had distinguished himself as
a boy in the Federal ranks won
the hearts of ex-confederates and
of the young generation of the
South as completely as a son of
the South could have done. He
was the President of the whole
country as no other man had been
since the fierce controversies of
sections began.
The reconsecrated Union was
dedicated for a brief period to a
war which demonstrated the Sc
curity of the bond which the
President had done SO much to
strengthen, and this war led in
evitably to the policy of expan-
sion, of which Mr.. Mckinley be-
came the foremost exponent. In
the responsibilities which it
brought and the opportunities
which it presented that policy was
epoch. making, but far too much
has been said of its imperial aims.
The President was by nature and
association and by his habits of
thought as far removed from the
imperialist as any man could be.
He was always close to the peo-
pie, with whom he breathed in a
reverence for the fathers and for
the best American traditions, and
his idea unquestionably was an
expansion of true Americanism
which should fit the people of our
new possessions for self-govern-.
ment. This is the problem which
he had begun to solve and which
will be solved with little regard
for the extreme anti-imperialist
demand that we should lower our
flag and flee from our obligations.
The people have approved the
Presidents retention OF the Span
ish islands as the only thoroughly
practical course open to him, and
there is today nothing practical
in what is left of the agitation for
independence.
The third great question to
which we would call attention is
that of commercial expansion,
whose principles are outlined in
the Buffalo address of the Presi-
dent. The address rings with the
true note Of leadership. It deals
with the most pressing topic of
the hour and points the way which
the speakers party is sure to fol-
low. We know not only that
there would have been no serious
detection if he had lived, but also
that his successor, who was heart
and soul with him, will uphold the
banners of reciprocity, on which
will be inscribed these memorable
words:
Isolation is no longer possible
or desirable.
God and man have linked the
nations together.
Our capacity to produce has
developed so enormously, and our
products have SO multiplied, that
the problem of more markets re.
quires our urgent and immediate
attention.
A system which provides a
mutual exchange of commodities
IS manifestly essential to the con.
tinued healthful growth of our ex'
port trade.
Reciprocity is the natural out.
growth Of our wonderful industrial
development under the domestic
policy now firmly established.
Reciprocity treaties are in har
mopy with: the spirit Of the times
measures liberalization are not.
NeWspapershave said that thes'
were strange words TO come from
one who was once most widel,