The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1902-03-01
AS PRESIDENT.

AS PRESIDENT.
When he came 20 tho presidency. he
confronted a situation ~ the utmost aitli-
Guilty. which might we'll have appalled, a
man Of less serene and tranquil self con-
idence There had been a state Of pro
found commercial and Industrial depres-
sion. from which his friends had said his
election would relieve the country our
relations with the outside world left much
t. DE desired. The feeling between the
northern and southern sections Of the
Union was lacking IN the cordality which
was necessary 10 the welfare Of both.
Hawaii hal asked for annexation and
had been rejected by the preceding adj
mlnlstra ton. There was state Of things
In the Caribbean which could not perma
nently endure our neighhor's house was
on FIRE and there were grave doubts as 10
our rights and duties in the premises A
man either weak or rash. either irrcsolute
or headstroug. might have brought ruin
on himself and incaiculable harm TO the
country.
Again | crave the pardon ot those who
differ with me II. against all my inten'
tions ! happen To say word which mag
seem to them unbehtting the place and
hour E.t ! am here 10 give the opinion
which his friends entertained Of President
"
ty from criticism In what | shall say
believe. then that the verdict Of history
will be that he met all these grave ques-
tions with perfect valor and Incompatible
ability; that In graphing with them he
rose 20 the fun height q a great occasion
in "a manner which redounded To the last
Ing benefit Of the country and TO his own
immortal honor.
The least desirable form OF glory to a
man Of his habitual mood and temper,
that Of successful war, was nevertheless
conferred upon him by uncomfortable
events lie felt II must come. lie de-
plored It's necessity. lie strained almost
10 breaking his relations with his friends
in order. first. 70 prevent and then 70
postpone II 20 the latest possible moment
But when the die was cast he labored
with the utmost energy and ardor and
with an intelligence In military matters
which showed how much OF the soldier
still survived in the mature statesman 10
push forward the war 70 a decisive close
War was an anguish 20 him. He wanted
Il short and conclusive His merciful
zeal communicated itself to his subordi-
mates. and the war. so long dreaded.
whose consequences were 50 mOmentous.
ended IN a hundred days
"AUGMENTER or THE STATE"
Mr.. stcdman. the dean OF our poets, has
called him "Augmenter Of the State" It
is a proud title. II Justly conferred. II
ranks him among the few whose names
may be placed definitely and forever in
charge OF the historic muse. Under his
rule Hawaii has come 10 US. and Tutuila,
Porto Rico and the vast archipelago Of
the east Cuba Is free. Our position In
the Caribbean Is assured beyond the pos
slbility OF future question. The doctrine
called by the name Of Monroe. so long
derlded and denied by alien pubicists.
evokes now no challenge or contradiction
when uttered 10 the world. IL has become
an international truism. Our sister re-
publlcs to the south Of us are convinced
that we desire only their peace and pros
perity Europe knows that We cherish no
dreams but those OF worldwide commerce.
the benefit Of which shall be to all ma
tlons The state Is augmented. but II
threatens no nation under heaven. As to
those regions which have come under the
shadow Of our flag. the possibility Of their
being damaged by such a change OF cir.
cumstances was In the view Of Mckinley
q thing unthinlable TO believe that We
could not administer them TO their ad-
vantage was to turn intidel to our Ameri-
can faith OF more than hundred years.
In dealing with foreign powers he viii
take rank with the greatest OF our diplo-
matists 1t was a world OF which he had
little special knowledge before coming 10
the presidency but his marvellous adapta
bilty was In nothing more remarkable
than in the firm grasp he Immediately dis
played In interna .ional relations In pre-
pairing for war and In the restoration OF
peace he was alike adroit, courteous and
farslghtcd When a sudden emergency
declared itself as In China. in a state Of
things OF which our history furnished no
precedent ard international law no safe
and certain precept. ne hesitated not a
moment 10 take the course marked out
for him by considerations Of humanity
and the national interests. Even while
the legations were fighting for their lives
against bands of infuriated fanatics he
decided that we were at peace with China.
and while that conclusion did not hinder
him from taking the most energetic meas
ures to rescue our imperiled citizens II
enabled him 10 maintain close and friend
ly relations with the wise and heroic vice.
roys of the south, whose resolute stand
saved that ancient empire from anarchy
and spoliation IIe disposed of every
question as It arose with a promptness
and clarity Of vision that astonished his
advisers. and he never had occasion to re-
view a judgment or reverse decision.
BY patience, by firmness. BY sheer rea-
,ccNcT rrDrD ON IrOITDTu pAcEN