The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-09-15


and always with courage, clearness and
a comprehensive grasp of the issues which
challenged universal admiration. He
spoke in good temper and with marvellous
effect He uttered no word which did
not strengthen the cause in advocacy OF
which it was expressed He had no COM
promise to make with expediency. He
said what he believed and believed what
he said, and left the issue with his patri-
otto countrymen.
when he took the oath as national chief
executive he became President of all the
people His supreme desire was to bring
them back TO the ways of prosperity and
them enjoy to the fullest degree the
rewards of peace. He invited to his Cab
met men of distinct ability, in whom he
had the utmost confidence, and in whom
the country also confded, and he trusted
them and they repaid him with unfailing.
efficient devotion to the advancement of
the welfare of his administration.
with an unerrng instinct to do the
right thing in the right way, he speedily
convened Congress in extraordinary ses-
sion, that ii might deliberate and enact
measures which he deemed essential TO
the full restoration of prosperity. The
country responded quickly to the inaugu-
ration of his policies, and a new era of
national development was begun. His
administration not only engaged
with domestic questions of magnitude,
but foreign problems OF exceeding gravity
soon taxed it's attention. Conditions in
Cuba had become insufferable. The peo-
pie of that island had caught the spirit
wished TO be free. They were struggling
to secure their independence and Spain was
endeavoring to retain her hold. In the
name of war, crueltieS were practiced which
offended the moral sense of all christendom
1.-The President sought to secure from the
Spanish Cabinet an amelioration of the
conditions in the island. BE endeavored
to awaken in Spain some sense of pity and
to secure peace and order among her hap
less subjects. He obtained the discharge
of many American citizens unjustly de-
faf~ IL, hon iaflo rNrfC0 10
he was, in a statesman-like way. making
progress toward securing an Improvement
of conditions in the island, there were
many in our country who demanded that
ne should take more drastic measures, and,
in fact, they were insistent that should
make war His patriotism and his courage
were challenged. but all this did not swerve
him from his true course. He knew what
war meant and he knew that we were not
upon a war footing. We had so long been
free from foreign menance that we were
power When swift-moving events seemed
to make war inevitable, ne said: Il do not
care for the property that will be destroyed.
nor the money that will be expended if
thought of human suffering that must en-
ter many households almost overwhelms
me-
TRIED TO PREVENT WAR
mo one knew better than he the result
of serious issue with Spain. He had a
full realization of the mighty resources of
the Republic and of the undying patriotism
Of the people. He realized full well that
victory to our arms would increase his
prestige throughout the world, and make
more secure his place in American history.
Yet all of this he counted as nothing, and
labored with all his power honorably to
avert the dread issue. He loved peace, and
wished that it should not be rudely dis
turbed. While seeking honoPably to avoid
war, he was earnestly preparing to meet it.
There is in all our splendid history no SUBJ
Inner spectacle than that presented by Will
liam Mckinley in his effort to prevent his
country from being plunged into war. Ii
he had done nothing else in all his career,
that alone would give him title TO immoral
ity:
been exhausted and every effort to prevent
war and retain our national respect had
been put forth, ne committed the great
sage which will long endure in the patri-
otto literature of the Republic In the
name of humanity, he said. in the name
| of civilization. and in behalf of endangered
American interests, which give us the
right and the duty to speak and to act,
the war in Cuba must stop. ss The
issue is now with Congress. 1t is sol
emn responsibility. i have exhausted
every effort to relieve the intolerable con-
| dition of affairs which is within doors
Prepared to execute every obligation upon
me by the constitution anu the law,
| await your action
HE was prepared to execute the con-
! gressional decree, and when the decisive
| word was given he struck swiftly and
| with terrific power, and in less than one
| hundred days from the opening engage
ment the Spanish Cabinet sued for peace
A treaty was negotiated which was
rnagnanimous to conquered Spain. Under
| 1T new territory came to us, not because the
| President desired ii, but because i'm his
| Judgment humanity and national honor re-
| CURED it, Toward the people who had sc
Unexpectedly been committed to our keep
ing he pursued the most generous course
| He sought to build up the waste places
made by war and give to them in full
measure the benefits Of republican insttu-
William Mckinley was the ideal Presi-
| dent. He was temperamentally fitted tC
occupy the great office to which he had
been called by his countrymen. He pos
sessed dignity OF character, a serenity
and soundness of judgment which won
| the confidence of the Nation. He always
| had the patience to hear the wisdom anC
courage to decide. He was controlled by
| reason and not by passion. He had q
veneration for the exalted traditions OF
the executive office, and he did great things
| in great way. He carried into the Office
| large experience and a full knowledge OF
| public men. He had been an apt student
of the country's needs. He sought to es
| tablish public confidence, knowing full wei
that 1t is the basis Of industrial progress:
and national advancement.
| ALWAYS ACCESSIBLE.
He endeavored to learn the will of the
| people and faithfully to interpret and carry
| 1t into the public law and public admin.
| istration, for he adhered to the fundamen
| tai doctrine that this is a government
formed by the people and for the people
| He believed that that was the wises
| craftsmanship which sought to give tru,
expression to the public purpose. He wa.
always accessible to the people; he de-
| lighted to meet and mingle with them, fol
they were his unfailing source of strength
| and inspiration. The last time he met then
| 1t was by his own arrangement and agains
the advice of others, who feared that HI
would unduly tax his strength. What they
deemed a burden he regarded as rest anC
| recreation. 1t seems the very irony of fat
! that when amidst those whom he loved
| and who loved him, and while they wer,
| rejoicing in each others cordial greeting
| the cruel serpent should have stung him.
| He was in the fullest and best sense
man of the people. He neither reached
| down to men, nor up to men, but stood upor
| plane of equality with all.
| He always rose to the full measure OF
! the occasion and met emergency as though
| he had awaited it. He never did rasf
| things. He was conservative, not only il
word and judgment, but in deed. also. III,
| was never violent in act or speech. He wa.
| irreproachable in person, thought and act
He saw right and wrong with unerring pre-
cision. He broadminded and catholi,
| in his sympathies. He was tolerant of tn,
beliefs and regardful of the feelings of 9th