The gold leaf. [volume] (Henderson, N.C.) 1881-1911, 1902-03-13

On the subject OF the tariff To this
wager of battle the discussions Of the pre-
Vious four years distinctly pointed. But
no sooner had the two parties made their
nomina sions than 1t became evident that
the opposing candidate declined to accept
the field Of discussion chosen by the Re
publicans and proposed to put forward as
the main issue the free coinage OF silver.
Mckinley at once accepted this challenge
and. taking the battle for protection as
won, went with energy into the
of the theories presented by
his opponents. He had wisely concluded
not to leave his home during the canvass,
thus avoiding proceeding which has al
ways been of sinister augury In our poll
tics. but from the front porch OF his mod
est house in Canton he daily addressed
the delegations, which came from every
part of the country to greet him, in a Sc
ries of speeches SO strong, SO varied, SO
pertinent, SO full Of facts briefly set forth.
Of theories embodied in a single phrase,
that they formed the hourly text for the
other speakers of his party and give prob
ably the most convincing proof we have
Of his surprising fertility Of resource and
flexibility of mind All this was done
without anxiety or strain. 1 remember a
day l spent with him during that busy
He had made nineteen speeches
the day before; that day he made many
sat in his study and talked. with nerves
as quiet and a mind as free from care as
II We had been spending holiday at the
seaside or among the hills.
AS PRESIDENT.
~ When he came to the presidency, he
confronted a situation OF the utmost diff
Guilty. which might well have appalled,
man Cf less serene and tranquil self con-
fdence. There had been a state Of pro-
cS,I Nd ivIx r{o1
sion. 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 annexation and
had been rejected by the preceding ad-
ministration. There was state Of things
in the Caribbean which could not perma-
ncntly endure. Our neighbor'S house was
OH 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
country.
Again l crave the pardon Of those who
differ with me if. against all my inten-
tions, L happen to say a word which may
seem to them unbefitting the place and
uOur. Ibut 1 am mere 10 give the opinion
which his friends entertained OF President
Mckinley, Of course claiming no immuni-
ty from criticism in what 1 shall say. I
believe, then. that the verdict Of history
will be that he met all these grave Ques-
tions with perfect valor and Incompatible
ability; that in graphing with them he
rose to the full height CT a great occasion
in Il manner which redounded to the last
ing benefit of the country and to his own
immortal honor.
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
events. He felt it must come. He de-
plored it's necessity. He strained almost
to breaking his relations with his friends
in order. first to prevent and then to
postpone it to the latest possible moment.
But when the die was cast he labored
with the utmost energy and ardor and
with an 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. He wanted
it short and conclusive. His merciful
zeal communicated itself to his suborui-
mates. and the war, so long dreaded,
whose consequences were SO momentous
ended in hundred days.
"AUGMENTER OF THE STATE"
Mr.. Stedman. the dean of our poets. has
called him "Augmenter of the State" 1t
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 Tutuila,
Porto Rico and the vast archipelago Of
the east. Cuba is free. Our position in
the Caribbean is assured beyond the pos
sbiltty of future question. The doctrine
1pI hv no nj
derided and denied by alien publicists,
evokes now no challenge or contradiction
when uttered to the world. 1t has become
an international truism. Our sister re-
publics to the south of us are convinced
that we desire only their peace and pros
perity. Europe knows that we cherish no
dreams but those OF worldwide commerce,
the benefit OF which shall be to all ma
tons. The state is augmented, but it
threatens no nation under heaven. AS to
those regions which have come under the
shadow Of our flag, the possibility OF their
being damaged by such change of cir
cumStanceS was in the view OF Mckinley
a thing unthinkable. To believe that we
could not administer them to their ad-
vantage was to turn infidel to our Ameri-
can faith OF more than a hundred years.
In dealing with foreign powers he will
take rank with the greatest of our diplo-
matists 1t was a world OF which he had
IL
the presidency, but his marvellous adapta-
bility in nothing more remarkable
than in the firm grasp he Immediately dis
played in international relations. In pre-
pairing for war and in the restoration OF
peace. he was alike adroit. courteous and
declared itself, as in China. in a state OF
things OF which our history furnished no
precedent and international law no safe
and certain precept, he hesttated not a
moment to take the course marked out
for him by considerations Of humanity
and the national interests. Even while
the legations were fighting for their lives
against bands of infuriated fanatics he
decided that We were at peace with China
and while that conclusion did not hinder
him from taking the most energetic meas
ures to rescue our imperiled citizens II
enabled him to maintain close and friend.
ly relations with the wise and heroic vice
! roys of the south, whose resolute stand
saved that ancient empire from anarchy
and spoliation. He disposed OF every
question as it arose with a promptnes:
and clarity of vision that astonished hi:
advisers, and he never had occasion to re
view a Judgment or reverse decision.
By patience, by firmness. by sheer rea
sonableness, he improved our understand
ing with all the great powers OF the worI
and rightly gained the blessing which oe
longs to the peacemakers.
: AN ERA OF PROSPERITY.
! But the achievements of the nation
war and diplomacy are thrown In tn
shade by the vast economical develop
ments which took place during Mr.. Nc
kinley's administration Up to the tim
Of his first election the country was SUI
fering from-a long period OF depression
the reasons Of which l will not try
seek, but from the moment the balIo'
were counted that betokened his adveT
TO power 4 great and momentous move
raent In advance declared itself along a
the lines OF industry and commerce. l
the very month Of his inauguration ste
rails began to be sold at SIS ton, one
the most significant facts of modern time
1t meant that American industries ha
adjusted themselves to the long depre'
sion, that through the power OF the ras
to organize and combine, stimulated c
the conditions then prevailing. and pc
haps by the prospect of legislation fayo
able TO industry. America had begun
underseu the rest of the world III
movement went on without ceasing- II
president and his party kept the pledg
OF their platform and their canvass IT
DinEiey bill was speedily framed and
in operation. All industries responded