West Virginia daily oil review. [volume] (Sistersville, W. Va.) 1894-1902, 1902-02-28
Career In War and Politics.

/ Career In War and Politics.
Taking mp the life Of President Nc.
| Kinley, Secretary Hay said it was
| typically Ameris an, and thea r..
ferred to the political conditions as
they existed in McKinley's boyhood.
These men who are living today, =
he said, "and who were young in 1860,
will never forget the glory AMI
| glamor that filed the earth and the
sky when the long twilight of doubt
and uncertainty was ending and the
time Of acton had come. A speech
by Abraham Lincoln was an event
not only Of high moral significance,
but of far-reaching importance; the
drilling Of militia company by ELS
worth attracted national attention;
the fluttering Of the flag In the clea.
sky drew tears from the eyes Of young
men. Patriotism which had been a
rhetorical expression, became o pas
sionate emotion, In which instinct,
logic and feeling were fused. The
country was worth saving; it could
be saved only by fire; no sacrifice
was too great; the young men Of the
country were ready for the sacri-
fce."
The political career of Mckinley
was sketched as follows: "At IL
years of age William Mckinley heard
this summons of his country and en-
listed as a private. He left the army
| rryffh 81 l.
brevetted ty President Lincoln for
gallantry in battle. He then complet-
ed his law studies, was admitted to
the bar and settled down to practice
in Canton. A Wholesome ambition;
rare power of making friends and
keeping them; faith, which may be
called religious, in this country and
its institutions; and, following from
| this, a belief that a man could do no
| nObler work than to serve such a
| countyr-these were the elements in
his character that drew him into pub.
lie life. So it came naturally abou.
that in 1876 he began, by an election
| to congress, his political career
| Thereafter for Ia years this chamber
was his home.
/ Difficult Questions Met.
"a year after he left congress he
was made governor of Ohio, and two
years later he was reelected. He
came to fill space in the public eye
which obscured a great portion of the
| field Of vision. In two national con-
ventions the presidency seemed with
in his reach. But he had gone there
in the interest Of others and his
| honor forbade any dalliance with
temptation. His hour was not ye-
| come. There was, however, no long
delay. 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:
When he came to the presidency
| he confronted situation of the ut
most difficulty. There had been a
state of profound commercial and in
dustrial depression, 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 between the
northern and southern sections Of the
Union was lacking in the cordialitY
which was necessary to the welfare
Of both. Hawaii had asked for an
nexation and had been rejected by
the preceding administration. Thera
was a state OF things In the Carib-
bean which could not permanently
endure. Our 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 headstrong,
might have. brought ruin on himself
and incalculable harm to the coun-
try. l believe that the verdict Of his
tory will be that he met all these
grave questions with perfect valor
and Incompatible ability; that Is,
graphing with them he rose to the
full height Of a great occasion In .
manner which redounded to the last
ing benefit OF the country and to his
own immortal honor.
Ideals For American Youth,
HE was reelected and hoped IN
his second term to accomplish sub
stantiA results in the development
and affirmation OF the policies -
which he stood committed. In that
mood OF high hope. Of generous ex-
pectation, he went to Buffalo, AMI
there. on the threshold of eternity.
he delivered that memorial speech,
worthy FOR its holiness OF tone. its
oiameless morality, its breadth Of
view, to o' regarded az his tesla
ment to the nation. Through all his
pride Of country and his Joy Of Its
success runs the note Of solemn
warning, as in Kipling's noble hymn,
Lest we forget
Secretary Hav cIosMd with fheSa