Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-09-27

X.
Yet It remains true that his prevailing note
was altogether kindly, that he always took
the generous and considerate view where It
was admissible. that he was ever ready to
give hand even to those who had wronged
him and that he had nothing of the yirulent
and implacable spirit.
Trying Weeks Before the War.
The real strength Of character and high
moral purpose which underlay his amiable
manner and his good humor were shown in
the resolute and courageous frmness with
which he restrained and held back the war
impulse of Congress and the country. In
the progress of the race through doubt and
struggle there have been few finer exhibit
lions OF individual power and moral hero
ISM Congress was bent on war with SPAIN
The country was infiamed with passion
Inc atrocities in Cuba could no longer be
tolerated. The destruction of the Maine
had set the national blood on fire. But for
the unf1inching determination of President
Mckinney war would have been precipi-
tated at once.
And SO he stood like a rock while the
tempest beat about him. The courage and
the firmness of his position in those crucial
days could only be appreciated by those
who We're in daily association. The leaders
of Congress urged him to abandon negotia-
tons and accept the appeal to the sword.
The public clamor for war grew every day.
II he had been simply the flexible fol-
ioWef u popular currents, as some de-
scr1bed him, he would have taken the easier
course and yielded to this sentiment. But
ne resolutely faced and resisted 1t, and
faithfully continued his effort to stay the
clash until he could bring about situation
which would justify the belief that Cuba
could be saved without the necessity of
war.
How did he hope to do this? He must
Dring spain to the necessary concessions.
de must induce her practical surrender of
Cuba. He must convince the Spanish gov
eminent that Cuba was irretrevably lost
anyway, and that recognition of that fact
acknowledgement with the added blow of
bloody and costly defeat. He must gain
time to make this plain to lead the Span
ish rulers still further forward in the long
advance they had already made and to
permit the intermediate steps which must
be taken in order to carry the acquiescence
OF their own people before the final and abb
solute REIMBURSEMENT of Spanish authority.
Left Nothing Undone.
How earnestly President Mckinley la
bored in this direction and how much he
actually did is known through the public
history of those days and through the dip
lomatic correspondence which was long aft
erward given out. While pressing prepare
tons for the most untoward contingency he
left nothing undone at Washington to tenn
per Congress and to calm the country. On
liic otHel manu-, lie ulu All lIldt was "llHlU
his power at Madrid, through Gen. Wood
ford, our accomplished and skillful minis
ter, to bring the Spanish government to
such liberal and advanced measures as
would avert the necessity Of armed inter-
ventiOn.
In this art Of persuasion he was I'M
equaed. Much of it lay in his own deep
sincerity and conviction. He convinced
others because he was thoroughly con-
WINGED himself But beyond this substan-
tive foundation he had an extraordinary
gift of putting things. His quick percep-
ton and his shrewd saving sense enabled
him TO present e case in the strongest form
and turn every point to his own account
His power in this direction was proverbial
among all about him. He at one time called
business man to Washington to secure
his consent to step which involved per
sonal sacrifice and which wGs repugnant
to him. After one or two interviews he
succeeded, usual. The shrewd old bar
Der at a neighboring hotel-one of that
class who instinctively know all that is
going on-saw that the business man had
yielded The President, he out-talk YOU"
was his comment. Yes, alas! admitted
the visitor. The President he out-talk
any man. continued the interlocutor, and
it told the whole story.
A Political Genius.
The mastery of his political genius was
beyond dispute. He was equally astute In
seeing and measuring popular currents and
of measures and policies. Never in our his
tory was there finer piece of political dex-
terity than the skill with which he brought
Congress to take the responsibility of de-
termning the disposition of Cuba and Sc
cured the concurrence of both parties in
the settlement through the Plat amend
ment. The situation was delicate; the ne
cessity of action was imperative; the in
itiative in one form or another was with
the executive, and yet there course |
IN a iva all yuh inh .ynI11I
not involve sure trouble and certain criti- !
cism. What then, was to be done?
Cuba was approaching the time when she !
must be launched on her career as an in |
dependent nation. Her convention was |
framing a constitution which should be its |
chart. AS soon that constitution was |
completed and adopted steps must be taken !
for the election and erection of a govern |
ment under it. and for the withdrawal of |
the United States forces and authority. |
The President could not well delay action |
when Cuba had fulfilled the prescribed re- |
quirements, and he could not impose add- |
tional conditions. AS the matter stood |
either one of the two alterna tives before |
him involved danger If he declined to let |
Cuba set up her independent government he |
would be exposed to the charge of bad |
faith. If he let Cuba go without further |
safeguards he would be accused of rashy |
running the risk of future complications.
The short session of 1901 was advancing |
toward it's end and Congress was doing |
nothing on the subject. 1t saw Cuba finish
ing her constitution and coming to the |
hour when the guardianship of the United
States would end, and it entirely pas
siye. The responsibility belonged to Con-
gress, not only because Congress represents
the sovereign will of the nation, but be-
cause in making the issue with Spain in |
1898 it assumed to define what the relations |
Of the United States and Cuba should be-
Brought Congress to Terms.
Accordingly, he gave out that if Congress |
closed the regular session without action |
on this question he would Immediately call |
It together in extra session for that pur-