The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1902-02-28
: WILLlAr1 McKlNLEY :

no other president has been in such full and cordial
communion with congress, If we may except Lincoln
alone Mckinley knew the legislative body thorough
ly, its composition, its methods it's habits thought.
lie had the prooundest respect for its authority and
nleXible belief in the ultimate recttude of its pur
poses history shows how surely executive
disaster and ruin by assuming attitude of
hostility disrust to the Legislatures: and the
other hand NIcKinley's frank and sincere trust and
confidence in congress repaid by prompt and 10y
al support and cooperation. During his entire term
OF Office this mutual trust and regardso essential to
the public welfare never shadowed by single
cloud
He was u Republican. lie could not be anything
else. Union soldier grated upon Clay Whig he
necessarily believed in the American system-n pro-
lection to home industries: in strong aggressive
onality; liberal construction of the constitution.
any self-reant nation might rightly do, he felt
this nation had power to do, If required by the com
welfare and not prohibited by our written char
ter.
Following the natural bent of his mind he devot-
ed himself to questions of finance and revenue to the
essentials of the national housekeeping. He took high
rank in the house from the beginning His readipess
in debate his mastery of subject he handled the
bright and amiabe light he shed about him. and above
all the unfang courtesy and good will with which he
friend and foe alileone of the sigma
lures of nature born to great destines-made his
service in the house pathway of unbroken success
and brought him at last to the all-mportant post of
chairman of ways and and leader of the major
ity. of the famous act which in that capac
ity he framed and carried through congress- it is not
my purpose here and now to speak The embers of
the controversy in the midst of which that law had it's
troubled being are yet too warm to be handled on
day like this. may only say that it suli
centy tested to the praises of it's friends the
criticism of it's opponents. After brief existence it
passed away, time in the storm that swept the
Republicans out of power. Mckinley also passed
through brief of shadow his congressional dis
trict having been rearranged for that purpose by
hostile Legislature.
Someone has said it is easy to love enemies;
they help us much more than our friends The peo-
l,le whose malevoent skill had turned Mckinley out
of deserved well of him and of the Republic
The Republicans of Ohio saved the trouble Of
choosing governor-the other side had chosen
for them. year after Mckinley left congress he
made governor of Ohio and two years later he
elected each time by majorities unhoped-for and
whelming. He came to fill space in the public eye
which obscured great portion of the field of vision
In two national conventions, the presidency seemed
within his reach. But he had gone there in the inter-
est of others and his honor forbade any daance with
temptation. So his nay was nay-devered with
tone and gesture there was denying. His hour
rot yet come
There was, however long delay. He became,
from year to year. the most prominent politician and
orator in the country. Passionately devoted the
principles of his party. he always ready to do
anything to anywhere, to proclaim its ideas and to
support it's candidates His face and his voice became
1amar TO mliiions OF our people; and Wherever they
and heard, men became his partisans. His
face cast in classic mold; YOU faces like it in
antique marble in the galleries Vatican and in
the portraits of the great cardnalsaesmen of Italy;
mis- voice the voice of the perfect tor-rnging
vibrating, tireess persuading by it's very sound, by
it's accent of sincere conviction. So prudent and
guarded all his utterances lofty his courtesy
he never embarrassed his friends and never Of
Tended his opponents. For months before the
Republican national convention met in 1896, it
evident to all who had to that Mr. Mckinley
was the only probable candidate of his party. Other
names We're mentioned, of the highest rank in ability
character, and popularity: they supported by
powerful combinations; but the nomination of Mckin-
ley against the field inevitable.
The campaign he made will be always memorable
in our political annals He and his friends had
thought for the year was the distinctive
and historic difference between the two parties
subject of the tariff To this of battle the dis
cussons of the previous four years distinctly pointed
But no sooner had the two parties their nominal
tons than it became evident that the opposing candi
declined to accept the field discussion chosen
by the Republicans, and proposed to put forward
the main issue the free coinage of silver Mckinley
at accepted this challenge and taking the battle
for protection as already went With energy into
the discussion the theories presented by oppon-
ents: He had wisely concluded leave his home
during the canvass, thus avoiding proceeding which
has always been OF sinister augury politics;
but from the front porch of his modest house
ton he daily addressed the delegations which
from every part of the country to greet him
of speeches strong, varied, pertinent so full
of facts briefly set FORTH of theories embodied in
single phrase that they formed the hourly the
other speakers of his party, and give probably the
most convincing proof we have of his surprising
tlity of resource and hexiby of mind All this was
done without anxiety strain. I remember IL day
spent with him during that busy summer. He had
made nineteen speeches the day before: that day
made many. But in the intervals of these addresses
lie sat in his study and talked with quiet
and mind as free from if we had been spend
ing holiday at the seaside among the hills.
When he came to the presidency he confronted
situation of the utmost difficulty, which might we'll
have appalled, of less serene and TRANQUIL self
confidence. There had been state of profound COM
mercial and industrial depression, from which his
friends had said his election would relieve the country
cur relations with the outside world left much to
desired. The feeling between the Northern and
Southern sections of the Union lacking in the
cordiaty which necessary to the welfare of both.
Hawaii had asked for annexation and had been re-
jected by the preceding administration, There was a
state of things in the Caribbean which could not per-
manently endure. Our neghbor's house was on fire,
and there were grave doubts to rights and du-
lies in the premises. A man either weak or rash,
either irresolute headstrong, might have brought
ruin himself and incalculabe harm the country.
Again l crave the pardon of those who differ with
me, If. against all my intentions happen to say a
word which may seem to them unbeftting the place
and hour. But am here to give the opinion which
his friends entertained of President Mckinley, of
claiming no immunity from criticism in what
shall say believe then that the verdict of history
will be that he all these grave questions with per-
valor and incompatible ability; that in graphing
sion i'm which redounded to the lasting
benefit of the country and to his immortal honor.
The least desirable form of glory to man of his
habituu mood and tempel'-that of successful war
was nevertheless conferred upon him by uncontrol-
able events. He felt it must come; he depored its
necessity he strained almost to breaking his relations
With his frlepds, in order first, prevent and then