Evening journal., 1903-01-28
ROOSEVELT PAYS
TRIBUTE TO DEAD
Notable Celebration of Birth
day Anniversary OF Late
President Mckinley
BANQUET WAS GIVEN At CANTON

Canton, O., Jan. 2s. - President
Roosevelt last night participated in
notable tribute to the memory OF the
late President Mckinley He was the
principal orator at banquet given un-
der the auspices OF the Canton Re
publican League in commemoration OF
the birthday Of Mckinley. Surround |
ed by friends, neighbors and business |
and political associates of the dead |
president, he pronounced a brilliant
and eloquent eulogy on the life and |
works OF Mckinley, an eulogy by many
regarded as the most beautiful and
heartfelt tribute ever paid to the mem
ory Of the distinguished dead. The
banquet was held in the Grand Opera
House. The interior of the building
was beautifully decorated with flags
and flowers, the floral decorations be-
ing particularly elaborate. An orches-
ira of 25 pieces furnished the music.
Among the 457 guests assembled
about the boards were some of the
most distinguished men in the civil,
public and political life of the coun-
try. At the 5peaker's table, besides
President Roosevelt, were seated,
among others, Judge William II. Day,
who acted as toastmaster; Secretary
Root, Secretary COrtelyou, General s.
b. M Young. Generay Leonard Wood,
General Luke E. Wright, vice governor
of the Philippines; Surgeon General
Rixey, Captain w. s. Cowles, the pres
ident's naval aide.
Among other things President
Roosevelt said;
Throughout our history, and. indeed,
throughout history generally, Il has been
! men to take so marked a lead in the
\ crises faced by their several generations
7 that thereafter each stands as the em-
bOdiment of the triumphant effort of his
generation. President Mckinley was one
A of these men.
take the foremost place in our political
] life at q time when our country was
brought face to face with problems more
momentous than any. whose solution we
have ever attempted, save only In the
| revolution and IN the civi war; and it
was under his leadership that the nation
| Therefore. he shall stand in the eyes OF
| history not merely as the nrst man of his
urcs in our national life, coming second
only TO the men OF the two great crises
in which the union was founded and pre-
No man could carry through success
| fully such "a task as President Mckinley
undertook, unless trained by long years
OF effort for its performance. knowledge
Of his fellow citizens ability to UNDER
stand them, keen sympathy, with even
their innermost feelings, and yet power
to lead them, together with far-sightod
sagacity and resolute belief both Ia the
needed In the man who headed the march
of our people during the eventful years
from 1896 to 1901 M ,Ihese were me quail
by him throughout his whole history pre-
vious TO assuming the presidency. AS q
lad he had the inestimable privilege OF
serving, first IN tho ranks. and then as a
commissioned officer, In the great war
for national union, righteousness and
kindly providence permitted 20 take part
in struggle which ennobled every man
who fought therein. He who, when little
more than boy, had seen the grim stead
fastcdncas which, after four years OF
/ giant struggle. restored the union and
! freed the slave was not thereafter to be
daunted by danger or frightened out OF
his belief In the great destiny Of our
some years after the war closed McISin-
= ley came to congress and rose, during a
succession OF terms, 10 leadership. In his
party I'M the lower house. He also be-
/, came governor Of his native state, Ohio
During this varied service he received
? practical training of the kind most valu-
able to him when he became chief execu-
tive OF the nation. To the high faith Of
his early years was added the capacity
to realize his ideals TO work with his
fellowmen at the same time that he led
them.
had I'm Il nothing Of the sudden, nothing
| OF the unexpected or unseemingly acci-
3 dental. Throughout his long term Of SER
Vice IN g congress there was fte2aay m, IN,
! and IN the recognition Of that power both
by his associates In public life and by
Eiaht Years before he was nominated
for president he was already considered
9 presidential possl9ililty. -Four years be-
Z sense OF honor prevented his being made
a formidable competitor of the chief upon
actually fell In 1886 he was chosen be-
cause the great mass of his party knew
him and believed him and regarded him
as symholizing their ideals, as represent
, ing their aspirations.
A But even as a candidate. President Nc
4 Kinley was far more than the candidate
OF a party, and as president he was In
= the broadest and fullest sense the presi-
X dent OF all sections of the country.
His first nomination came 10 him be-
cause Of the qualities he had shown In
healthy and open political leadership, the
presses itself az N virile force for good
upon tho people at large, and which has
L. nothing In common with mere intrigue
~ IN Importance when compared with the
y vital need OF keeping our financial sys-
o. tenn on the high and honorable plane i'm.
a great civilized power. He triumphed
I'd and he made good with scrupulous fidelity
y the promises upon which the campaign
ID was won.
But. as so often happens in our his
~ tory the president was forced to fac,
a. questions other than those at issue at tn,
y time OF his election. Within a year tn,
situation In Cuba had become LITERAL,
/ intOlerahle. President Mckinley has
az fought too well In his youth. he knew
a. too well at first hand what war reall,
= was, lightly TO enter into a struggle. III
IN sought by every honorable means TO pre-
10 serve peace TO avert war. He made ever
effort consistent with the national homo
to bring about an amicable settlement o
=. the Cuban difficulty. Then. when Il be
- came evident that these efforts were use
- less, that peace could not be honOrabl
: entertained, he devoted his strength 4
- making the war as short and as decisiv
4 as possible. Suffice Il TO say that rarely
indeed I'm history has a contest so IA
reaching IN the Importance OF its outcom
been achieved with such ease. There fol
lowed a harder task. AS a result OF tn
4. war we became into possession Of Cubs
n Porto Rico and the Philippines. IN eac
Island the conditions we're such that "
u had 10 face problems entirely new TO ou
national experience, and. moreover, 4
aarh felard or grOuD of islands the nrof