The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1902-02-28

dccepL Jne IletQ OF discussion CHOSEN By
the Republicans, and proposed to pitt
forward as the main issue the free coin
age of silver. Mckinley at once accept
cd this challenge, and taking the battle
for protection as already won, went with
energy into the discussion of the theories
presented by his opponents. He had
wisely concluded not to leave his home
during the canvass, thus avoiding q pros
Ceedihg which has always been Of siniS=
ter augtiry in our politics; but from the
front porch Of his modest house in Cam
ton he daily addressed the delegations
which came from every part of the c6uh-
try to greet him in series of speeches
So strong, so varied, so pertinent, so full
Of facts briefly set forth, of theories en-
bodied in single phrase, that they
formed the hourly text for the other
speakers of his party, and give probably
the most convincing proof we have OF
surprising fertility of resource and fieXi-
bility of mind. All this was done with
out anxiety or strain. l remember a day
| spent with him during that busy sum-
NOR. He had made nineteen speeches the
day before; that day he made lnany. But
III the intervals of these addresses he sat
in his study and talked, with nerves as
| quiet and a mind as free from care as if
we had been spending a holiday at the
seaside or among the hills.
THE NATIONS CHIEF.
When he came to the Presidency he
| confronted a situation of the utmost diff
| fculty, which might we'll have appalled,
man of less serene and tranquil self
| confidence. There had been 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 to be desired. The feeling be-
| tween the Northern and Southern sec
! tons of the Union was lacking in the
cordially which was necessary to the
welfare of both. Hawaii had asked for
annexation and had been rejected by the
preceding administration. There was a
state of things in the Caribbean which
could not permanently endure. Oul
neighbours house was on fire, and there
were grave doubts as to our rights and
duties in the premises. A man either
| weak or rash, either irresolute or head
strong, might have brought ruin on him.
self and incalculable harm to the coun.
try.
Again I crave the pardon OF those whc
differ with me, If against all my inten-
tons, | happen to say word which ma,
seem to them unbefitting the place ant
hour. But l am here to give the opinion
which his friends entertained of Presi
/ cent Mckinley, of course claiming NJ
immunity from criticism in what | shall
say / believe. then, that the verdict o
history will be that he met all thes
grave questions with perfect valor and in
comparable ability; that in grapplint
with them he rose to the full height o
Il great occasion, in a manner which re
bounded to the lasting benefit of tn
1 country and to his own immortal honor
The least desirable form of glory to
man of his habitual mood and temper
that of successful war-was nevertheless
conferred upon him by uncontrolabl
events. He felt it must come; he dc
rlored its necessity; he strained almos
to breaking his relations with his friends
in order, first, to prevent and then
postpone it to the latest possible mo
nent. But when the die was cast. h
labored with the utmost energy and ar
, dor. and with an intelligence in mlitar
matters which showed how much of tn
soldier still survived in the matur
statesman. to push forward the war to
decisive close. War was an anguish {
him. he wanted it Short and conclusive
His merciful zeal communicated itself t
his subordinates, and the war. so lon
, dreaded, whose consequences were S
momentous.. ended in a hundred days.
Mr.. Stedman. the dean of our poets
' has called him "Augmenter of tn
) State" 1t is a Proud title; if justly cor
> ferred, it ranks him among the fe
f whose names may be placed definitel
+ and forever in charge of the histor
, Muse. Under his rule Hawaii has com
to us, and Tutuila; Porto Rico and til
+ vast archipelago of the East. Cuba
free. Our position in the Caribbean
assured beyond the possibility of futuI
question. The doctrine called by tt
name of Monroe, so long derided and dc
MED by alien publicists. evokes now 7
g challenge or contradiction when uttere
9 to the world. 1t has become an inte
g rational truism. Our sister republics
t the south of us are convinced that v
t desire only their peace and prosperit
e Europe knows that we cherish no dream
{ but those of world wide commerce, I'll
= VI NIiNh ohdii tpC w an ho'iOh
a The State is augmented, but it threa
Y ems no nation under heaven AS
+ those regions which have come under ii
shadow Of our flag, the possibility
d their being damaged by such a change
a circumstances was in the view of NJ
a Kinley a think unthnkable. To BELLE
n that we could not administer them
y their advantage was to turn intidel
d our American faith of more than a hui
d dred years
A PRINCE OF DIPLOMATS.
s In dealing with foreign powers, he W
;. take rank with the greatest of our dipl
o matists. IT was a world of which
t had little special knowledge befo
@ coming to the Presidency. But his ma
e velous adaptabilty was in nothing mo
g remarkable than in the firm grasp
O Immediately displayed in information
: relations. In preparing for war and
e the restoration of peace he was ali
d adrcit courteous, and far-sighted. VIII
|. a sudden emergency declared itself, as
s China, in a state of things of which o
@ history furnished no precedent and i
# ternational law no safe and certain pr
q cent he hesitated not a moment to ia
c the course marked out for him by co
r. siderations of humanity and the nation
-