Page images
PDF
EPUB
[graphic][subsumed][merged small]
[graphic][merged small]

Is hard enough to deliver a speech. It is sufficiently wearying to go through the muscular part of it; it is trying on the nerves to be constantly keyed up to the point necessary to such speeches as McKinley makes; but worse is the hand-shaking that follows, which, if the speaker be popular-and of course McKinley suffered more through this than in any other way. He shook hands with at least four hundred people every day during the Ohio campaign of 1893. He seemed to enjoy it, but it wore on him. It became necessary to stop often. The members of the audience would clamber on a platform and fairly mob the Governor in attempting to shake his hand. Sometimes a scheme was worked, but not often. A friend would stand behind the governor and thrust his hands under McKinley's arms. The Governor would hold his at his side, and the friend take the cruel grip of those who in their enthusiasm forgot how strong they really were. After trying this once or twice McKinley declined to permit "such a fraud to be practiced." It was always hard to get McKinley to bed. He would get into a talk with friends after a meeting, and he would not dismiss them, for he was too polite. The only thing that could be done. was to go to his room, open one's watch and say, 'Governor, you have to get up at five, and it is now midnight." That sent the crowd away. The most noticeable thing about McKinley as a campaigner is his indefatigability. He makes two speeches of an hour and a half each and two others of from five to

66

ten minutes, day in and day out. In his earnestness, his enthusiasm, his versatility, his eloquence, his magnetic power over an audience, and his dramatic force, he stands unequaled.

[ocr errors][merged small]

CHAPTER XII.

MCKINLEY'S ADVICE TO BOYS.

The enterprising boy-Interviewing Major McKinley-Boys' own account of it-Painting up the town-Looks like NapoleonFatherly advice-An important question.

A

FEW weeks ago an errand-boy in the New York World became interesting through his anxiety to become a great man, and to find out how to do it by talking with great men and gaining instruction with a view to his education, the managing editor had a happy thought that the boy might become an interviewer, and sent him, accompanied by a reporter, to the most accessible of great men, Mr. Chauncey Depew. After the conversation it turned out there was no occasion for the reporter's notes or his literary skill. The memory of the boy was perfect, and he had a quaint, simple way of putting things that was attractive. The boy was a success, and he was sent to interview Major McKinley, and the result is a beautiful picture of the Republican candidate in his home, and a talk from him that every boy in America should read many times,

« PreviousContinue »