The daily journal. (Salem, Or.) 1899-1903, 1901-09-19

prosperity, though whether as conse-
quence Of the Mckinley law, is not TO be
discussed here.
When in Chicago, in October, 1899,
was one Of party invited to a lunch
with him at the Union League Club
rooms, and in very pleasant running
conversation, asked him il he shared
the general belief that his defeat for the
Speakership had led to his election to the
Presidency, his reply was, Most as
suredly do. II l had been elected
Speaker at that time, should probably
today be a member of Congress from
Ohio" He added that he had never at
any time, before or since, been so anI-
ious for success as in that campaign for
the Speakership. He dismissed the sub.
ject by saying, and these are his exact
words, "The most bitter defeats are often
future victories In Disguise"
In short address, such only as is
proper on an accession Of this kind, re-
ference cannot be made TO the various
prominent features Of his public career,
The exceeding popularity which
clusters around his name today, has
naught to do with the fact that he has
been numbered with our maytred Presi-
dents. At no time in his public career
had he occupied so warm a spot in the
hearts OF all classes OF his countrymen
as during the past year. He had been
tried in the exacting experiences Of the
public service and had not been found
wanting. Coming to the presidency at
a time of proiund peace. without cloud
to mar the political horizon in any
quarter, within less than one year, COM
plications arose whichlled 10 a war with
foreign government and which not
only changed the policies and geography
OF the world, but left train of interna-
tional questions OF varied and complex
character. To the settlement OF these
in satisfactory manner, President
Mckinley addressed himself, with that
determination which was always
characteristic Of Ihim, and the day OF
his death found us at perfect peace
with every nation on earth, the greatest
power in the world and prosperous
beyond any former period in our history.
No one Of our presidents has been sub
lected to so great test OF statesman
ship, save Lincoln, as that which con-
ironted Mckinley at the beginning OF
the Spanish war. The destruction OF
the batrleship "Maine" burst upon the
country like thunderbolt from clear
sky, and, considering it as an act OF
Spanish treachery, the American people
unanimously demanded the immediate
declaration of war, and while the Preei-
dent knew that We had neither ships,
ammunition nor guns, and that declara'
tion of war before we we're able to sup
port it by force would be suicidal, he
was compelled TO endure the impatience
r and complaint Of the people without
; fully explaining to them the actual
reason for the delay. Few Presidents
have ever gone through the trying ordeal
|, that was William McKinley's during
the time intervening between the des-
truction of the "Maine" and the declar-
alton of war against Spain in his EFFORT
10 stay the hand OF congress until pre-
paration was made TO secure that mag
nidcent victory which was afterwards
ours, and no greater tribute was ever
paid TO any President than when con-
press by an unanimous vote OF botf
,uses. voted the SUM Of $4,000 900 iol
the prosecution Of the war, TO be ex-
pended by him, wholly at his dirers-
tion.
We of Oregon have special reason Il
mourn the loss # our beloved President
for he had a warm spot in bis heart to
tho people Of this state. In the Mime
apolis convention OF 1892 which Tenom
r mated President Harrison, seven Of ihI
\ eight delegates iromOregon voted for tn
Il nomination OF William Mckinley.
- The fret time ever met him was a
his own home in Canton, just prior
his fret Inauguration, when on my va
10 Washington with the electoral vote q
- this state. In the conversation, Al
sured him that he had great man
friends in Oregon, and be replied tina
he remembered that his friends in Ore
son wanted 10 nominate him for Oh
Presidency before he Was ready Tor II