Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1902-09-15

/ sNAAS tIS PCOPAG MN De Prose
cutting Attorney of Stark County.
j AS lawyer he was careful in tn,
preparation of his cases, until he grad
ually became known. not only as ;
thorough and painstaking advocate
but as one of unusual exactness q
thought and precision of expression
| with peculiar mastery of detail ans
a wonderful felicity of diction in pre-
senting them. After serving hi,
county with great ability in a mino]
Office he was summoned to become thu
representative of the district in Con,
gress, where the same consideration:
devotion that marked his career as az
attorney characterized him as an Con-
gresham He entered upon, his Ca.
reer at Washington well equipped BY
reading, study and experience for the
arduous and trying duties of this new
position--thoroughly conversant with
the public questions of the day. He
had exceptional powers of argument
! which had been carefully trained; he
had an Unborn dignity of manner and d
| quiet, reserved force of character
which strongly impressed all with
whom he came in contact. Thus
equipped, he gave himself to the de-
fence of those principles which az be-
lieved would bring peace and pros
perlty to the country. There in the ma
tonal forum where the keenest intel
lects OF the country meet, by the sheer
force of character and by his ability
ne won the acknowledged leadership.
me great tariff contest centered about
him as the principal figure: giants in
debate. masters of industry and fl
nance were all around him, but he
lowered above them, their undisputed
chief. Under defeat, when the oppo-
nent of his party was President. he
was calm. undaunted, confident,
though encouragement rested upon
his associates everywhere. He was
the nOblest Roman of them ALL" I
heard him in that campaign Of person
al abuse, when he was speaking in
Bangor for his friend and our friend.
the late Captain Boutelle: so calm and
grand. so clear and noble that he won
all hearts.
When Ohio called him to become her
governor, there We're those who
thought that he was conversant only
with national questions, but they soon
found that he was also the master of
state and municipal questions as well.
He gave the toiler state arbitration
for labor difficulties and in many other
ways proved himself to be the friend
of the masses.
In 1897. the great state of Ohio, at
the call of the Republic, sent McKin-
ley to Washington to assume the du-
ties of President. In this exalted
office he diSnlava6 tho mo o,,al;+;o.
of patience, faith and steadfastness
with the same purpose that had
marked his previous life. He came to
guide the Republic at a crucial epoch
when all the sterling virtues of
Christian statesman would be tested
to the utmost. Mckinley was ever a
sincere man-that is a true man. True
in what he thought, in what he spake,
in what he did. Silent when there
was nothing to say; but pertinent,
wise, sincere when he must speak.
We find him through all his life,
brotherly. genuine man with a serious,
sincere character, but companionable
and withal a good laugh to cheer. His
successes in war, his successes in Con-
gress, his successes everywhere were
the successes of a brave man; because
he has more resolution in the heart of
him and more light in the head of him
than most other men. The only fear
in this man is the fear of God.
He is ever making his destiny He
stood in the White House in 1897, the
truest product of American ideas;
the best gift of God to the Nation
about to be tested. God had tested the
man and now he trusts him with
power and responsibility. The hopes
of seyenty-five millions of people are
with him: the victories of the Re-
public are his.
THE STORM.
Almost before we had become ac-
customed to the rule of Mckinley, the
storm was upon us. The cries of
agony and despair from Cuba had
stirred all hearts. Instantly came the
demand for war! The demagogue is
abroad: the war-fend has slipped his
tether. Every state in the Union was
ready for the contest and demanded
the order to begin. The President
was prepared, but certain of himself,
with faith in the people he still plead
for peace. In his message to Con-
gress, Dec. g. 1897, overshadowed all
other features in public interest.
The President reviewed the conditions
in the island exclusively, and con-
Guided as follows:
IF it shall hereafter appear to be
duty imposed by our obligation to our
selves. to civilization and humanity,
to intervene with force. it shall be
without fault on our part, and only
because the necessity for such action
will be so clear as to command the
support and approval of the civilized
world"
When such time had come, he was
ready. After one hundred days of
fierce conflict in which all classes.
north and south. east and west, stood
together in battle, there came peace
and with 1t honorable victory. Study
this man great in courage and intel
lect: strong in character and purpose;
know him as a soldier citizen and
statesman: then study him as son
and husband. true, gentle, chivalrous,
and YOU see at once why he is en-
, shrined in the heart of every noble
woman and brave man as the highest
tyne of the American citizen.
DEAD IN THE MIDST OF BATTLE.
| Surely this knight has fallen with
the battle all around him; how clear
his vision: how noble his purpose as