Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1902-02-27

the war ended, brevetted by President
Lincoln for gallantry in battle.
William Mckinley gladly laid down
his sword and betook himself to his
books. He quickly made up the time
lost in soldering. He was admitted
TO the bar and settled down to prac-
tice-a brevetted veteran of twenty
four-in the quiet town of Canton,
now and henceforward forever ia
nous as the scene of his life and his
place of sepulchre. Here many bless
iugs awaited him. High repute. pro-
fessional success and a domestic af-
lection so pure, so devoted and stain
less that future poets, seeking an
ideal of Christian marriage, will find
in il theme worthy of their songs.
Began His Public Career.
In 1876 he began. by an election to
congress, his political career. There
after for fourteen years this chamber
was his home. Following the natur-
al bent of his mind, he devoted him
self TO questions of finance and rev
enue. TO the essentials of the nation
al housekeeping. lie took high rank
in the house from the beginning. \
year after he left congress he was
made governor of Ohio and two years
later he was reelected. each time by
maiorities unhoped for and over
whelming. He came to fill space in
the public eye which obscurcd great
portion of the field of vision. In two
national conventions the presidency
seemed within his reach. But he had
gone there in the interests of others
and his honor forbade any dalliance
with temptation. So his nay was nay
delivered with a tone and gesture
there was no denying. His hour was
not vet come. There was. however.
no long delay. lie became, from year
to year. the most prominent politician
and orator i'm the country. Passion
ately devoted to the principles of the
party, he was always ready to do any
thing. to go anywhere, to proclaim
its ideas and to support its candi-
dates. For several months before the
republican national convention met
in 1896. it was evident to all who had
eyes To see that Mr.. Mckinley was
the only probable candidate of his
party. Other names were mentioned,
of the highest rank in ability. char
actcr and popularity; they were sup
ported by powerful combination, but
the nomination of Mckinley as
against the field was inevitable. The
he made will he always
in our political annals.
when He Came to- the Presidency.
When he came 10 the presidency he
situation of the utmost
which might well have APP
pallcd a man of less serene and tran
IuiI sclf-confidcncc. \ man either
weak or rash. either irrcsolutc or
might have brought ruin
pn himself and incaIculable harm To
he country. 1 believe that the YER
iict of history will be that he met all
he grave questions with perfect Valor
md inconqUerablc ability; that in
graphing with them he rose To the
'ull height of great occasion i'm
manner which redounded To the last
ng benefit Of the country and tn his
,wn immortal honor. In dealing vita
'oreign powers he will take rank with
he greatest of our diplomatists. II
vas a world of which he had little |
;peciaI knowledge before coming 10
he presidency. But his marvellous |
was i'm nothing ,more re-
narkable than i'm the firm grasp he |
displayed in ihterna- |
ionaI relations. by patience. by firm
less. by shcere reasonableness. he inn
proved our understanding with all |
he great powers of the world. and |
ightfuIIy gained the blessing which
to the peacemakers.
But the achievements of the nation
II war and diplomacy are thrown IN
he shade by the vast economical de-
eIopmcnts which took place during
Ir. McKinIey's administration. The
most extravagant promises made by
he sanguine Mckinley advocated five
ears ago and left out of sight by the
ober facts. The debtor nation has
,ecomc the chief creditor nation.
will not waste your time by explain
ng that | do not invoke for any man
he credit of the vast results. The
aptain can not claim that il is he
Who drives the mighty steamship over
he tumbling pillows of the trackless
cep: but praise is justly due him If
e has made the best of her tremcn-
Gus powers, if he has read Alright
he currents of the sea and the les
ons of the stars, and we should be
if in this hour of pro-
igious prosperity we should fail to
cmcmber that William Mckinley
18th sublime faith foresaw it, with
courage labored for 1T,
ut his whole heart and mind into
he work of bringing it about; that it
as his voice which, in the dark hours
ang out, heralding the coming light,
; over the twilight waters of the Nile
he mystic cry of Memnon announc-
d the dawn to Egypt waking from
leep.
Reelected President. ,
Mr.. Mckinley was reelected by an
majority. There had
cen little doubt of the result among