The Washburn times. [volume] (Washburn, Wis.) 1896-1976, 1902-03-06
The Lamented Mckinley.
Continued from Page 2.

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 annexation and had been
rejected by the preceding admins
tration. There was state of things
in the Caribbean which could not
permanently endure. Our neigh
boris house was on fire. and there
were grave doubts as to our rights
and duties in the premises.
I believe that the verdict of his
tory will be that he met all these
grave questions with perfect valor
and incompatible ability; that in
graphing with them he rose to the
full height OF a great occasion, in a
manner which redounded to the last
ing benefit of the country and to his
own immortal honor.
"Augmenter of the State.''
The least desirable form of glory
to man OF his habitual mood and
temper-that of successful war-was
nevertheless conferred upon him by
uncomfortable even IS. He felt it
must come; he deplored its necessity;
he strained almost to breaking his
relations with his friends, in order,
first, to prevent, and then to post
pone it to the latest possible moment.
But when the die was cast, he labor
ed with the utmost energy and ardor,
and with intelligence in military
matters which showed how much of
the soldier still survived in the
mature statesman to push forward
the war to decisive close. War
was an anguish to him, be wanted it
short and conclusive. His merciful
zeal communicated itself to his sub
ordinates, and the war, so long dread
ed, whose conseq uences were SO mo-
mentous, ended in a hundred days.
Mr.. Stedman, the dean of our
poets, has called him ''Augmenter of
the StaUe.' It is a proud title; if
Justly conferred, it ranks him among
the few whose names may be placed
definitely and forever in charge of
the historic muse. Under his rule
Hawaii has come to US, and Tutulla,
Porto Rico and the vast archipelago
Of the east. Cuba is free. Our posi-
tion in the Caribbean is assured be-
yond the possibility of future ques
ton. The doctrine called by the
name of Monroe, SO long derided and
denied alien publicists, evokes now
no challenge or contradiction when
uttered to the world. 1t has become
an international truism. The state
is argumented, but it threatens 20
nation under heaven. AS to those
regions which have come under the
shadow of our flag, the possibility of
their being damaged by such achange
of circumstances was in the view Of
Mckinley thing unthinkable. To
believe that we could not administer
them to their advantage was to turn
infdel to our American faith of more
than a hundred years.
In dealing with foreign powers, he
will take rank with the greatest Of
our diplomatists. By patience, by
irmness, by sheer reasonableness, he
improved our unders landing with ali
the great powees of the world, and
rightly gained the blessing which be-
longs to the peacemakers.
Economical Developments
But the achievements Of the nation
in war and diplomacy are thrown in
the shade by the vast economical de-
yelopmentS Which took place during
Mr.. McKinley's administration.
Among the most agreeable ineid-
eats of the presidents term of Office
were the two journeys he made to
the south. The moral reunion of the
sections so long and so ardently
desired by him-had been inflated
by the Spanish war, when the veter-
ans OF both sides, and their sons, had
marched shoulder to shoulder to-
gether under the same banner. In
the warm and chivalrous hearts of
that generous people, the echo of his
cordial and brotherly words will lin
ger long, ard his name will be
cherished in many household where
even yet the Lost Cause is wor-
Skinned