Milford chronicle., 1903-01-30


Canton, O., Jan. 2S. - President
Roosevelt last night participated in a
notable tribute to the memory of the
late President Mckinley. He was the
principal orator at a 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 ana
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 r. 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, it has beer
given to only a very few thrice-favored
men to take so marked a lead in the
crises faced by their several generations
that thereafter each stands as the en-
bodiment of the triumphant effort of his
generation. President Mckinley was one
1t was given to President Mckinley to
take the foremost place in our political
life at a time when our country was
momentous than any whose solution we
have ever attempted, save only in the
revolution and in the civil war; and it
was under his leadership that the nation
solved these mighty problems Alright.
Therefore he shall stand in the eyes OF
history not merely as the first man of his
Generation, but as among the greatest fig
ures in our national life, coming SeconC
only to the men of the two great crises
in which the union was founded ana 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-sighted
sagacity and resolute belief both in the
people and in their future-all these were
needed in the man who headed the march
of our people during the eVentIul years
from 1896 to 1901. These We're the guam,
ties possessed by Mckinley and developed
by him throughout his whole history pre-
Vious to assuming the presidency. AS a
lad he had the inesttmable privilege OF
serving first in the ranks, and then as a
commissioned officer in the great war
for national union, righteousness ana
grandeur; he was one of those whom a
Kindly providence permitted to take part
in a struggle which ennobled every man
who fought therein. He VINO, Wnen ntt5e
more than boy, had seen the grim Steaus
fastedness which, after four years OF
giant struggle, restored the union ana
freed the slave was not thefeaLter 70 De
daunted by danger or frightened out OF
his belief in the great destlny Oh our
people. - -. .,,-,,7 AfoLr,v
lev came to congress and rose, during a
succession of terms, to leadership IN MS
party in the lower house. lie aISo pc
came governor of his native state, ONO;
During this varied service he received
nractieal training of the kind most valu-
able to him when he became chiet execuS exc u
his early years was added the capaclty
TO realize his ideals, to work win ms
fellowmen at the same time that ne leu
Pre- President McKinley's rise to greatness
had in 1t nothing of the SUDDEN nolhlns
of the unexpected or unseemlngly s aCCl-
dental Throughout his long term OF ser
vice in congress there was a Steauy IN IN
crease alike in his power OF leausr t Il4 sIllP I
and in the recognition of that power Dotn
by his associates in public life ana Dy
the public itself. .4s
for president he was already considered
a presidential possibility. -Four years pc
fore he was nominated only his own hlgnh y
sense of honor prevented ms Deinse l@laue @
q formidable competitor of the chleI upon
whom the choice of the convention tneh
actually fell. In ley5 ne was cnQSeIi Itrez,
him and believed him and regarded MIN
as svrnbolizing their ideals, as represent
mg t tneT even Ssg az candidate, President Nc
KinIev was far more than the canuldate
of a party, and as president ne was li n
the broadest and fullest sense tHe Ptesi-
dent Of ali sections of the country
His first nomination came 10 ,hln DS
cause of the qualities ne ha9 shOwh snow IN iLl
healthy and open political leadership tne
leadership which by word and deed i'm,
nresses itself as a virile force Tor goo1
iIpon the people at large, and Whlch mas mas
nPfbing in common with mere intrigue
or manipulation. All other issues sailh ~, !
in impOrtance when compared Wlti tle
vital need of keeping our financial sys-
tenn on the high and honorable plane I'M
neratiVely demanded by our position as
q great civilized power. He trlumpheu.
and he made good with scrupulous ndenty
fhe promises upon which the campaign
WI Bnt as as so often happens in our his
tory. the president was forced 10 lace
Suestions other than those. at issue at NE
time of his election. Within year the T
situation in Cuba had become hterally
intoIerable. President Mckinley had
fought too well in his youth, he knew
TOO well at first hand what war really
Gss lightly to enter into struggle. he
sonehf bv every honorable means 10 pre-
serve peace, to avert war. He made every
effort consistent with the national honoE
20 hiring about an amicable settlement OF
The Cuban difficulty. Then. when II pc
came evident that these efforts were use
less that peace could not be honorapiy
snfertained he devoted his strength 20
nairina the war as short and as declslYe
as nossibie Suffice it to say that rarely,
indeed, in history has a contest 50 IaI
resching in the Importance Of its outcome
been achieved with such ease. Ihere Iol-
ioTyed n harder task As result OF the
Usr we became into possession OF Cuba
Por+o Rico and the Philippines. IN eacn
isiand the conditions were such that we
had to face problems entirely new 70 our
n1,ationai experience, and, moreover n