The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-05-19

ism, tried and true. and his ability which
had time and again withstood the crucial
test.
One Of the remarkable things concerning
his whole administration was this personal
confidence and esteem which he universally
inspired and so we'll earned from every
man of both political parties In the Con-
gress of the United States. In all the up
heavals brought about by the conditions
ana new questions growing out or 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 unceas-
lngly his long hours of labor at the White
House. Night after night found him at
work II there were pressing matters at
hand, and usually there were problems Of
the gravest Importance demanding his at
tentlon as commander-in-chief. Often 1
would go over to the White House and SIT
with him on the south porch when he had
nnlshed his work, with various members
or Congress or Cabinet members. and in
the long summer evenings we would en-
JOY those little friendly gatherings far
past midnight. He seemed TO consider these
brief hours of recreation as well worth
the arduous labors OF the long day Dur
ing these meetings he had little to say Of
the serious and sad things OF life, but was
always 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 humored
and gentle way which never possessed the
napier touch OF satire or temper.
GREATEST STRAIN
Perhaps the greatest strain upon William
Mckinley during his whole life was the
few months prior TO the declaration Of war
The suspense Of the situation in getting at
all the facts wore upon him, and his pa
thence under distressing circumstances al
ways appeared to me sanity. But when
war was finally declared, and the inevitable
came upon us, his whole manner changed.
Everything else was cast aside to do with
all his might what had to be done in push
ing the war. He settled down in that quiet,
serious and determined way which en-
phasized his mastery of the problems be-
fore him. How often have watched him
In those thoughtful moods. He would re-
main silent for some time and seeming
TO commune with himself-"think it out"
he would jokingly remark And when
he had settled the matter fully in his own
mind his old natural manner would come
back with a rebound and he was again
the same smiling, sweet and gentle COM
panion.
His unvarying habit was, when advising
with any one in matters of state or serious
import, TO first find out what the other
fellow thought On this situation he al
ways seemed to build his premises, and he
had faculty OF getting ii out of you
somehow or other sometimes he would
approve and sometimes he would say MOTH
ing, but he was always an earnest seeker
after the truth and the facts, seeming to
entirely obliterate his personal prejudices
in his eagerness to arrive at a Just and
equitable conclusion.
have often observed how he never with
heIo ms sympathy in any case, no matter
now small or inconsequential ii might be.
There was a particularly interesting Incl
dent In his desiring to appoint an old
school friend to a small pOstofice in one
of the Western. States The lady was a
widow and needed the income toward the
support of herself and family but the
congressman had previously recommended
Tor the position man who had been of
service 10 him In his congressional cam
palgn. For a time there was an indica-
ton of feeling growing out of the matter
and II appeared like a curious commentary
upon the power of the President of the
United States, when he was unable to con-
troll the appointment to a fourth-class
postoffice, under the memorable unwritten
law of precedent But the situation was
soon solved when the congressman held a
conference with William Mckinley The
President had made an effective plea with
the irritated and annoyed member, who
had resented interference with his absolute
prerogative when famed into temper by
outsiders; but the President won his point
for the old school friend and none were
were more cheerful parties TO the plan
than the congressman and disappointed
candidate for the postoffice. They had felt
the touch of human sympathy such as Will
liam Mckinley could always inspire.
William Mckinley was the Incarnation
of the best and purest craftsmanship
which, believe, exists in every American
His qualities that inspired in me a close
personal friendship were given with the
same unstinted grace and generosity to
every individual that came within the In
huence of his personality. no matter how
remote or humble that individual might
be. His career is a treasured heritage of
the human race, and marks the beginning
United States.