davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The evening times. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1895-1902, 1902-02-27
His Life From Birth to
Death TyPicalIy American.

The life OF William Mckinley was. from
his birth to his death typicaHy Ameri-
can. There is no environment. I should
say, anywhere else in the world which
could produce just such a character. He
was born into that way of life which else
where is called the middle class. but
which in this country is so nearly uni
versal as 10 make of other classes. an al
most negligible quantity. He was neither
rich nor poor, neither proud nor humble;
he knew no hunger he was not sure Of
satisfying, no luxury which could enervate
mind or body his parents were sober.
God-fearing people; intelligent and up
right; without pretension and without hu-
mility- He grew up in the company Of
boys like himself, wholesome. honest.
self-respccting. They looked down on no
body; they never felt it possible they
could be looked down upon. Their houses
were the homes OF prObity. piety, patriot
ism. They learned in the admirable
school readers Of fifty years ago the les
sons OF heroic and splendid life which
have come down from the past They read
in their weekly newspapers the story Of
the worlds progress, in which they were
eager 10 take part. and OF the sins ard
wrongs Of civilization with which they
burned 20 90 battle. It was a serious and
thoughtful time. The boys Of that day
felt dimly, but deeply that days OF sharp
struggle and high achievement were be-
fore them. They looked at life with the
wondering yet TesoIute eyes Of a young
esquire in his vigil Of arms. They felt
time was coming when 10 them should
be addressed the stern admCniti0n Of the
Apostle. Quit you like men; be strong"
II is not easy to give to those Of a
later generation any clear idea Of that
extraordinary spiritual awakening which
passed over the country at the first red
signal fires Of the war between the States.
II was not our earliest apocalypse; a hun
dred years before the nation had been
revealed to itself. when after long dis
cussiCn and much searching Of heart the
people OF the colonies had resolved that
10 live without liberty was worse than
10 die. and had therefore wagered in the
solemn game Of war their lives. their
fortunes, and their sacred honor" In a
stress Of heat and labor unutterabIe. the
country had becn hammered and welded
together; but thereafter for nearly CEN
fury there had been nothing in our life
TO touch the iIueTmOst fountain Of feel
ing and devotion, We had had rumors Of
wars-eTen wars we had had, not without
sacrifices and glOry-but nothing which
went 20 the vital self-c0nsciousness Of
the country, nothing which challenged the
nations right TO live.
The evening times. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1895-1902, 1902-02-27
Days When the Nation Went
Into the Valley Of Decision.

But in 1860 the nation was 90
ing down into the Valley OF De-
cision. The question which had been
debated on thousands Of platforms. which
had been discussed in countless publica-
tions, which, thundered from iuuumer-
able 7ulDIts. had caused in their congre-
cations the bitter STRIFE and disseusion
TO which only cases Of conscience can
give rise. was everywhere - pressing for
solution. And not merely in the various
channels Of publicity was 81 alive and
C.amOrCus. About every freside in the
land. iu the conversation Of friends and
nclghbors. and deeper still in the secret
Of millions Of human hearts, the battle
OF opinion vas wagiug, and all men felt
and saw-with more or less clearness-
that an answer 20 the importuuate uues-
ton, Shall the nation live2 was due and
not TO be denied. And I do not mean that
in the North alone there was this austere
wrestling with conscience. IN the South
as well. below all the enervescence and
excitement Of a people perhaps more given
% eloquent speech than We were, there
was the profound agony Of question and
answer, the summons TO decide whether
honor and freedom did not call them 10
revolution and war. II is easy for par
tisanship to say that the one side was
X
is still easier for an indoIent magnani-
nifty 10 say that both were right Per
haps in the wide view Of ethics one IS
always right 20 follow his conscience.
though it lead him TO disaster and death
But history is incyOrabIe. She ia IS no
account 81 sentiment and Intention and
IN her cold and luminous eyes that side is
right which fights IN harmony with the
stars I'm their courses. The men arc riga
through whose efforts and struggles the
world Is helped onward. and humanity
moves 10 q higher level and a brighter
day
The men who are living today and who
were young IN 1860 will never forget the
glory and glamour that filed theearth and
The sky when the long twilight OF doubt
and uncertainty was ending and the time
or action had come. A speech by Abra-
ham Lincoln was an event not only OF
high moral significance, but Of far-reach-
ing Importance the drilling OF a militia
company by Ellsworth attracted national
attention; the futtering OF flags in the
clear sky drew tears from the eyes Of
young men. Patriotism. which had been
a rhetorical expression, became a pas
si0nate emotion. In which instinct. logic.
and feeling were fused The country was
worth saving: &c could be saved only bv
FIRE: no sacrifice was too great: the
young men OF the country were ready for
the sacrifice; come veal, come woe, they
we're ready
The evening times. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1895-1902, 1902-02-27
His Natural Entrance
Upon q Political Career

So 10 came naturally about that in 1876
the beginning CT the second century Of
the RepubIic-he began, by an election to-
Congress. his political career Thereafter
fer fourteen years this chamber was his
home. use the word advisedIy. No
where in the world was he so in harmony
with his environment as here; nowhere
else did his mind work with such fuIl
consciousness Of its powers. The air of
debate was native 10 him. here he drank
delight Of battle with his peers. In after
days, when he drove by this stately pile.
or when on rare occasions his duty called
him here. be greeted his old haunts with
the affectionate zest Of a child Of the
house, during ali the last ten years Of his
life, hlled as they were with activity and
glory, he never ceased TO be homesick for
this hall When he came TO the presi-
dency, there was not a day when mis- Con-
gressiOnal service was not Of use TO him
Probably no other President has been IN
such fun and cordial communion with
Congress. II we may except Lincoln alone
Mckinley knew the Legislative body thor
oughly. its composition, its methods. :ts
habits Of thought. He had the profound
est respect for its authority and an InGax-
ible belief in the ultimate rectitude Of its
purposes. Our history shows how surely
an Executive courts disaster and ruin by
assuming an attitude Of hostility or dis
trust TO the legislature, and, on the
other hand, McKinley's frank and sincere
trust and confidence IN Congress were re
paid by prompt and loyal support and CO.
operation. During his entire term Of Of
fee this mutual trust and regard-so es-
sential TO the public wehare-was never
Swallowed by a single cloud.
He was a Republican. He could not be
auyi hing else. A Union soldier grated
upon Clay Wing. he necessarily believed
in the American system in protection
TO home industries; in a strong. agrees
sive nationality; Ia a liberal construction
OF the Constitution. what any self-reliant
nation might rightly do. he felt this nation
had power to do, j. required by the com
mon welfare and rot prohibited by our
written charter.
The evening times. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1895-1902, 1902-02-27

the reasons OF which VIII not try n
seek But from the moment the ballots
were counted that bctokened his advent
70 power great and uomentous move
lnenl IN advance declared itself along all
the lines of industry and commerce In
the very month OF his Inauguration steel
rails began 70 be sold az SIS a tan-one
OF the most significant facts Of modern
times To meant that American industries
had adjusted themselves to the long de-
pression-that through the power Of the
race TO organize and combine. stimulated
by the conditions then PREVAILING. and
perhaps by the prospect OF legislation IA
vorabie TO industry. America had begun
70 undersell the rest OF the world The
movement went on without ceaslng. The
President and his party kept the pledges
Of their platform and their canvass The
Dingley bill was speedily framed and set
in operation All industries responded to
the new stimulus and American trade set
out on its new crusade, not to conquer the
world, but to trade with 10 on terms ad-
vantageous 10 all concerned I viii not
weary you with statistics. but one OF two
words seem necessary 20 shOT how the
acts Of Mckinley as President kept pace
with his professions as candidate His
four years CT administration were costly.
we carried on war which. though brief.
was expensive Although we borrowed
500. 600 and paid our own expenses,
without asking for indemnity. the elfec-
tive reduction OF the debt now exceeds the
total Of the war bonds We pay 5000. 900
less in interest than We did before the
war. and no bond Of the United States
yields the holder PEI cent on its mar
ket valve So much for the Government
credit; and we have S545. 600 coo e gross
gold in the Treasury
But coming 70 the development OF our
trade in the four 1+cKinley years. we
seem TO be entering the realm CT f-ssle-
IN the last fiscal year our excess Of eX-
ports over imports vas S6e4 $50 SIS In
the last four years il was S2.754.442. 213-
These figures are so stupendous that they
mean little 20 a careless reader-but con
sider- The excess Of exports over imports
for the whole preceding period from 1870
10 lS9I-from Washington 20 Mckinley
vas only 1856, 8lS $50.
The most extravaEant promises made
By the sanguine Mckinley advocates Eve
years ago are left out Of sight by these
sober facts The debtor nation" has be-
come the chief creditor nation The 6nan-
cial centre OF the world. which re-
luired thousands OF years TO journey from
the EUphrates 90 the Thames and the
seine seems passing TO the Hudson be
tween daybreak and dark
The evening times. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1895-1902, 1902-02-27
Augmentation Of the State
Without Menace to Other Nations.

Dir. Stedman. the dean OF our poets. has
called him "AugEenter Of the state =
is a proud title. if justly conferred. il
ranks him among the few whose names
may be placed definitely and forever IL
charge OF the historic Muse. Under his
rule Hawaii has come 10 us. and Tu-
tUila. Porto Rico. and the vast archf-
pe-GgO Of the East. Cuba is free. Our
position in the Caribbean Is assured be-
yCud the possibility Of future question.
Tbs doctrine called Icy the name OF Mon
roe. so long derIded ana denied by alien
pubHcists. evohes now no challenge "
contradiction when uttered 70 the world
Il has become an international trUisIu-
Our sister Republics TO the south Of US
are convinced that we desire only their
peace and prosperity. Europe knows
that we cherish no dreams but those OF
worldwide commerce. the benefit Of
which shall be 20 all nations. The State
Is augmented. but it threatens no nation
under heaven As 90 those religions
which have come under the shadow Of our
nag, the possibility Of their being dam
aged by such a change Of circumstances
was IN the view Of Mckinley a thing un-
thinkaole- To believe hat We could not
administer them TO their advantage was
70 turn infdel 70 our American faith Of
more than q hundred years.
In dealing with foreign Powers he will
take rank with the greatest OF our dipIo-
matists- Il was a world Of which he had
little spe .ial knowledge before coming TO
the Presidency But his marvellous adaD-
liability was in nothing more remarkable
than IN the firm grasp he Immediately
displayed in International relations. In
preparing for war and in the restoration
of peace he was alike adroir. courteous.
and far-sighted When a sudden emer-
gency declared itself. as in China in a
state Of things Of which our history fur
Hished no precedent and international law
no safe and certain precept. he hesitated
not a moment 10 take the course marked
out for him by considerations Of human
ity and the national interests Even
while the legations were dghling for their
lives against bands Of Infatuated fanatics
he decided that We were al peace with
China: and while that conclusion did not
hinder him from taking the most ener-
getic measures 20 rescue our imperilsd
and friendly relations with the wise and
heroic viceroys Of the south. whose reso-
lutte stand saved that ancient Empire from
anarchy Sud spOliatiOu. He disposed OF
every Qles lion as it arose with a prompt
ness and clarity of vision that astonished
his advisers. and he never had occasion 20
review judgment or reverse decision
By patience, by Grmuess. by sheer roas-
Onableness, he improved our understand
ing with all the great Powers Of the world
and rightly gained the blessing which be-
longs 10 the peacemakers.
The evening times. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1895-1902, 1902-02-27
his Presidential Nomination
IN Inevitable Event.

There was. however. 10 long DELAY. He
became. from year to year. the most prom
inent politician and orator in the coun-
try. Passionately devoted TO the prin-
ciTles Of his party. he was always ready
70 60 anything ID 90 anywhere. TO pro-
claim it's ideas and 10 support its candi-
dates. His face and his voice became
familiar TO millions Of people; and wher-
ever they were seen and heard. men be-
came his partisans. His face was cast in
a classic mold. you see faces like il in
antique marble in the galleries OF the
vatican and IN the portraits of the great
carGinal-statesmcn OF Italy. his voice was
The voice Of the perfect orator-rinEing.
vibrating, ureless. persuadilg by It's very
sound, By its accent OF sincere conviction
SO prudent and so guarded were all his
utterances. so lofty his courtesy. that he
never embarrassed his friends and never
offended his opponents For several
months before the Republican National
Convention met in 1896. il was evident to
all who had eyes TO see that Mr.. Nc
Kiuley was the only probable candidate
Of his party. Other names were men
toned, of the highest rank in ability
character, and popularity. they were sup
ported by powerful combinations: but the
nomination of Mckinley as against the
field was inevitable.
The campaign he made viii be always
memorable in our political annals He
and his friends had thought that the is
sue for the year was the distinctive and
historic difference between the two par
ties on the subject OF tariff. To this
wager of battle the discussions OF the pre-
vlOus four years distinctly pointed But
no sooner had the TWO parties made their
nominations than IL became evident that
the opposing candidate declined to accept
the field OF discussion chosen BY the Re
publicans, and proposed TO put forward
as the main issue the free coinage Of
silver Mckinley AT once accepted this
challenge. and, taking the battle for pro-
lection as already won, went with energy
into the discussion Of the theories pre-
sented by his opponents He had wisely
concluded not 10 leave his home during
the canvass thus avoiding a proceeding
which has always been Of sinister augury
in our politics; but from the front porch
The evening times. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1895-1902, 1902-02-27
Grafton Delivered at the Memorial Services
Held at the Capitol.
Sympathetic Appreciation and Comprehensive
Study and Analysis of the Honorable Life,
Inestimable Services, and Noble CharacteriS-
ties of the Martyred Statesman.

TOR the third time the Congress of
r the United States are assembled to
Il commemorate the life and the
death Of a President slain by the
hand OF an assassin The attention Of the
future historian will be attracted 10 the
features which reappear with startling
sameness in all three Of these awful
crimes-the uselessness. the utter lack OF
consequence OF the act; the obscurity. the
insignifcance Of the criminal; the blame
lessness-so far as in our sphere CT exist
ence the best OF men may be held blame
less-of the victim. Not one Of our muir
dered Presidents had an enemy in the
world; they were all Of such eminent
purity Of life that no pretext could be
given for the attack Of passiouaI crime;
they were all men Of democratic instincts
who could never have offended the most
Jealous advocates Of equality: they were
Of kindly and generous nature. 10 whom
wrong or injustice was impossible; Of
moderate fortune. whose slender means
nobody could envy They were men of
austere virtue. Of tender heart. Of eminent
abilities. which they had devoted with
single minds to the good of the Republic.
II ever men walked before God and man
without blame, il was these three rulers
OF our people. The only temptation 20 at
tack their lives offered was their gentle
radiance-to eyes hating the light tina;
was offence enough.
The evening times. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1895-1902, 1902-02-27
No Exemption From Trying
to Control the Chine.

Our minds cannot discern the origin.
nor conceive the extent OF wickedness so
peryerse and so cruel, but this does not
exempt US from the duty OF trying 10 con
troll and counterfeit it. We do not under
stand what electricity is: whence IL
comes or what its hidden properties may
he. But we know IL as a mighty force
for good OF evil-and 50 with the painful
toll OF years men OF learning and skill
have labored to store and 20 subjugate
-, 10 neutraliZe. and even 20 employ its
destructive energies. This problem OF
anarchy is dark and intricate but il
ought 20 be within the compass Of demo
cratic Overnment-although no sane mind
can fathom the mysteries Of these I'm
tracked and orbitless natures-tO guard
against their alterations, 90 take away
from inem the hope OF escape, the long
luxury OF scandalOus days IN court, the
unwholesome sympathy OF hysteFicaI de-
generates, and so by degrees TO make the
crime not worth committing, even to these
abnormal and distorted souls.
IL would be presumptuous for me in
this presncc TO suggest the details of
remedial legislation Tor a maIady so
malignant. That task may safely be left
20 the skill and patience OF the National
Congress, which has never been found
unequal TO any such emergency. The
country believes that the memory Of three
murdered comrades CT yours-alI OF whose
voices stu haunt these walls-Will be q
sufficient inspiration to enable you to
Eolve even this abstruse and painful prob
lem, which has dimmed so many pages OF
history with blood and with tears.
Before an audience less sympathetic
1ban this. ] should not dare 20 speak OF
The evening times. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1895-1902, 1902-02-27

was the reckoning gesture Of his country.
The thrilling notes Of the trumpet called
him-him and none other-intO the ranks.
his portrait IN his first uniform is IA
miliaT 20 you all-thc short. stocI,y inquire.
the quiet thoughtful face the deep. dark
eyes 10 is the face Of a lad who could
not stay al home when be thought he
was needed in the field. He was the stun
OF which gcCd soldiers are made. Had
ne teen ten years older he would have
entered at the head Of a company and
come out at the head Of a division But
he did what he could. He enlisted as
a private; he learned 20 obey His seri-
Gus, sensible ways. his prompt. alert cf-
hclency soon attracted the attention Of
ms superiors. He was faithful in little
things they gave him more and more to
DO He was unJiriug in camp and on the
march. swift. cool and fearless in fight
he left the army with field rank when
the war ended, breveJted by President
Lincoln for gallantry In battle.
In coming years, when men seek to
draw the moral Of our great civil war
nothing will seem 20 them so admirable in
all the history OF our two magnificent
armies as the way in which the war came
to a close When the Confederate Army
saw the time had come. they ackuowl-
edged the pitiless logic Of facts. and
ceased hghtlng. When the army OF the
Union saw 10 was no longer needed. with
out q muFmur or question. making no
terms, asking no return, in the flush Of
victory and fUllness Of might IL laid
down its arms and melted back into the
mass Of peaceful citizens There is no
event since the nation was born which
has so proved It's solid capacity for self
government Both sections share equally
I'D that crown Of glory. They had held d
debate OF Incompatible Importance and
had fought IL out with equal energy
conclusion had been reaChcd-aud 10 is 10
the everlasting honor OF both sides that
they each knew when the war was over
and the hour Of lasting peace had struck.
We may admire the desperate daring DI
others who prefer humiliation to com
promise, but the palm Of common sense
and. viii say, of enlightened patriotism
belongs to the men like Grant and Lee
who knew when they had fought enough
for honor and for country
The evening times. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1895-1902, 1902-02-27
How He Net the Questions
Confronting His First Term.

When he came to the Presidency he
confronted a situation Of the utmost dif-
fculty, which might well have appalled,
man Of less serene and tranquil self
confidence There had been a state Of
profound commercial and industrial de-
preston. from which his friends had said
his election would relieve the country.
Our relations with the outside world left
much 70 be desired The feeling between
the Northern and Southern sections of the
Union was lacking in the cordiality
which was necessary 10 the welfare OF
both. Hawaii had asked for annexation
and had been rejected by the preceding
Administration. There was a state Of
things 10 the Caribbean which could
not permanently endure Our neigEbOr's
house WAS On FIRE. and there were crave
doubts as 10 our rights and duties IN the
premises man weak or rash. either
irresolute or headstrcng. might have
brought ruin on himself and incaIcuIabIe
harm TO the country.
Again crave the pardon OF those who
diner with ne. II, against all ly iuteu-
lions. / happen 20 say a word which
may seem 70 give the opinion which his
friends entertained Of President Nc
kinney. Of course claiming no immunity
from criticism IN what I shall saw.
tory viii be that he met all these grave
questions with perfect yaIJr and inccm-
parable ability; that in graphing with
them he rose to the fun height Of a great
occasion, in q manner which redounded TO
the lasting benefit Of the country and 10
his own immortal honor
The least desirable form OF glory TO
a man Of his babituaI mood and temper
that OF successful war-Was neverthe-
less conferred upon him By uncon-
trollable events. He felt It must come;
ne deDlOred its necessity: he strained
almost to breaking his relations with his
friends. in order. first. 20 prevent and
then 10 postpone il TO the latest pos
sIble moment But when the die was
cast. he labOred with the utmost en-
ergy and ardOr. and with an intelligence
in military matters which showed hOw
much Of -he soldier still survived in the
mature statesman 10 push forward the
war to a decisive close. War was
an anguish 10 MIN, he wanted it short
and conclusive. His merciful zeal com
municated itself 70 his sUbordi mates. and
the war. so long dreaded, whose con-
sequences were so m0mentoUs, ended in
q hundred days