The Denison review. [volume] (Denison, Iowa) 1867-current, 1902-03-04
A Great Diplomat.

to their advantage. was to turn infidel to
our American faith of more thar a hun
dred years.
A Great Diplomat.
In dealing with foreign powers, he will
take rank with the greatest of our diplo-
matists. 1t was world of which he had
little SPECIAL kno Ie {, before coming to
ability was in nothing more remarka BILE
than in the firm grasp he Immediately dis
played in international relations In pre-
peace he vas alike adroit, courteous, and
far,sighted. When a sudden emergency
declared itself, as in China, in state of
things of which our history furnished no
precedent and International law no safe
and certain precept, he hesitated not mo-
m me- to take the course marked out for
national interests. Even while the lega-
ions We're fighting for their lives against
tha we OF wra he
while that conclusion did not hinder him
from taking the most energetic measures
to rescue our imperiled citizens, it enabled
him to maintain close and friendly rela-
tions with the wise and her ic viceroys of
the south, whose resolute stand saved that
ton. He disposed of every question as it
arose with promptness and clarity of
vision that astonished his advisers, and he
never had occasion to review judgment
or reverse decision.
By patience, by firmness, by sheer rea-
ssonableness, he improved our understand
u,
and rightly gained the blessing which be-
longs to the peacemakers.
The Nations Prosperity.
But, according to Mr.. Hay, the achieve
ments of the nation in war and diplomacy
are thrown IN the shade by the vast eco
during Mr.. Mckinley administration. Up
to the time of his first election, the coun-
try was as suffering from long period Of De.
try to seek. But from the moment the bal
lots We're counted that betokened his adj
vent to power a great and momentous
movement in advance declared itself along
all the lines of industry and commerce.
In the very month of his Inauguration steel
the most significant facts of modern times.
1t meant that American industries had ad-
justed themselves to the long depression
that through the power of the race to or
ganize and combine, stimulated by the con-
ditions then prevailing, and perhaps by the
prospect of legislation favorable to indus
rest of the world. The movement went on
without ceasing. The president and his
party kept the pledges of their platform
Ended Third Term Talk.
| Mr.. Mckinley was reelected by an over
versal confidence, which is the lifeblood
of the commercial system of the world.
a state of things ought to continue; one
after another men of prominence said
| that the president was his own best sue
Suggestions Until they We're repeated by
some of his nearest friends. Then he
saw that one of the most cherished ira
The generation which has seen the proph-
ecy of the papal throne-Non videbis amos
| Petri,,twice contradicted by the longevity
of holy men was in peril of forgetting
the unwritten law of our republic: Thou
| shalt not exceed the years of Washing
ton. The president saw it was time to
| speak, and in his characteristic manner
he spoke. briefly: but, enough. Where
the lightning strikes there is no need of
| iteration. From that hour no one
dreamed of doubling his purpose of re-
firing at the end of his second term, and
1t will be long before another such les
son is required.
High Hopes for the Future.
spent a day with him shortly before
he. started on his fateful journey to Buff
falo. Never had 1 seen him higher in
hope and patriotic confidence. He was
as sure of the future of his country as
the Psalmist who cried: Glorious things
He. was gratified to the heart that we
had arranged a treaty which gave US a
free l, in the isthmus; In fancy he
gosies Of the world passing through it
in peace ,: and ,amity He saw in the i'm
fulfilment of all his dreams. the reward
of all his labors. He was--I need not
say-an ardent protectionist,, never more
4
last days of his life. He regarded reci-
procity as the bulwark of protection
not breach, but a fulfllment of the
law. The treaties which for four years
had been preparing under his personal
supervision he regarded as ancillary to
the general scheme. He was opposed to
! any revolutionary plan of change in the
existing legislation; he was careful to
point. out that everything he had done
vas in faithful compliance with the law
4 itself.
| In, hot Of I, iol, h0,> Of
expectation. he went to Buffalo, and
there, on the threshold CT eternity, he
delivered that memorable speech worthy
for its loftiness Of tone, its blameless
morality, It's breadth of view, to be re-
The Tragic End.
/ The next day sped the bolt of doom,
and for week after-in an agony Of
hope that our prayers might be answered
the nation waited for the end. Nothing
in the glorious life that we saw gradual
~ waning was more admirable and ex-
emplary than its close. The gentle hui
manity of his words, when he saw his
assailant in danger. of summary ven
chiya'rous care that the news should be
broken gently to his wife; the fine cour-
tesy with which. he apologized for the
damage which his death would bring to
the great exhibition; and the heroic resig-
nation of his final words: 1T is Gods
way; His will not ours be done" were
ali lHe INSTRUCTIVE eApfeSSlOIS VI d nature
SO lofty and SO pure that pride in it's
nobility at once softened and enhanced
the nations sense of loss. The republic
grieved over such son-but is proud
forever of having produced him. After
all, in spite of its tragic ending, his life
his days troops Of friends, the cheer of
fame and fruitful labor; and he became
at last
ION fortunes browning slope,
/ The pillar of a peoples hope
The center of a worlds DESIRE"
He was fortunate even in his untimely
death, for an event so tragical called the
world imperatively to the immediate
study of his life and character. and thus
anticipated the sure praises of posterity.
In Conclusion.
The obvious elements which enter into
the fame of a public man are few and by
no means reconcile. The man who fills
a great station in period of change,
who leads his country successfully
through a time of crisis; who, by his
power of persuading and controlling 9TH
ers, has been able to command the best