Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1902-06-12

grew so strong that the whole Congress of
the United tSates was ready to follow his
leadership in all matters pertaining to the
conduct of the war, having perfect faith
In his patriotism, tried and true, and his
ability, which had time and again with
stood the crucial test.
One of the remarkable things concern
ing his whole administration was this per-
sonal confidence and esteem which he uni
Nersally inspired and so we'll earned from
every man of both political parties in the
Congress of the United States In all the
upheavals brought about by the conditions
and new questions growing out of the war,
the problem Of insular possessions and our
relations with Cuba, the influence of his
personality never changed or relaxed while
his life lasted, and In the closing days
of his public career was reached the eli
max Of pure and noble life.
During the hot. sultry days of August
in 1898 William Mckinley continued UNI
ceasingly his long hours of labor at the
White House. Night after night founl
Inn ut work IL there were pressing matter;
at hand, and usually there were problems
Of the gravest Importance demanding his
attention as commander in chief Often
would 20 over to the White House and sit
with him on the south porch when he had
| finished his work, with various members
of Congress OF cabinet members and in
the long summer evenings we would en-
10y those little friendly gatherings far pas,
midnight. He seemed to consider these
brief hours of recreation as Well worth the
ar1uous labors of the long day. Durir :
these meetings he had little to say Of the
serious and sad things of life but was al
ways an optimist and his enthusiasm was
infectious. He was particularly fond Of
telling and listening to stories and crack
ing Jokes. always in that good huniored
and gentle way which never possessed The
napier touch of satire or temper.
Perhaps the greatest strain upon Will
| liam Mckinley during his whole life was
the few months prior to the declaration OF
war. The suspense of the situation in get
| ting at all the facts wore upon him, and
his patience under distressing circum-
| stances always appeared to me sanity
But when war was finally declared. ant
the inevitable came upon us, his whole
manner changed. Everything else was
cast aside to do with all his might wha'
had to he done in pushing the war. Hf
settled down in that quiet, serious and de
termine1 way which emphasized his mas
terry Of the problems before him How of
ten have watched him in those thought
! ful moods. He would remain silent fol
some time and seeming to commune witt
! himself-"think it out" as he would jok
ingly remark And when he had settled
the matter fully in his own mind. his Ole
natural manner would come back with
rebound and he was again the same smil
ing sweet and gentle companion.
l His unvarying habit was, when advisinl
J with any one in matters of state or Sc
rious import, TO first find out what thu
other fellow thought. On this situation H.
always seemed to build his premises ant
he had a faculty of getting it out OF YOU
, somehow or other: sometimes he woulC
approve and sometimes he would So.
nothing, but he was always an earnes
!, az tor q ha
ing to entirely obliterate his personal pre-
}, JUDGES in his eagerness to arrive at a jus
and equitable conclusion.
j have often observed how he never with
held his sympathy In any case, no matte
!, how small or inconsequential it might be
There was particularly interesting Incl
; dent In his desiring to appoint an OH
} school friend to small postofice In on
I OF the Western States. The lady was
widow and needed the income toward tn
: support of herself and family but the con
!, gresham had previously recommended 70
' the position a man who had been OF som
service to him in his congressional cam
9 tion OF feeling growing out Of the matte
!, and II appeared like n curious common
!, tary upon the power of the President o
, tho United States when he was unable t
: control the appointment to fourth elias
: postofi1ce under the memorable unwrittel
soon solved when the congressman held
conference with William Mckinley. TIL
President had made an effective plea wit
the irritated and annoyed member, VIII
/ had resented interference with his absol
Z ute prerogative when famed into tempe
by outsiders: but the President won hi
, point for the old school friend and non
were moro cheerful parties to the pla
than the congressman and disappointe
! candidate for the postof1ice. They had fel
) the touch OF human sympathy such a
, William Mckinley could always inspire.
. William Mckinley was the incarnatio
!, OF the best and purest craftsmanship
which. believe. exists in every American
r His qualities that inspired In me a clos
, personal friendship were given with tn
! same unsunted grace and generosity t
every individual that came within the In
luence Of his personality. no matter hoy
; remote or how humble that individua
might be. Ills career is treasured herit
: age of the human race. and marks the be
, ginning ~ a now cpoch In thu htstorv n