PUBLISHERS' INTRODUCTION. Our country has been singularly fortunate in having had, at nearly all times, some one statesman whose honesty and wisdom strengthened him to check the disturbing elements of mere politicians, and guide them in channels where serious harm could not be done. On the republic's scroll of fame there is no name that shines with greater lustre because of these qualities than that of William McKinley. A statesman of many parts, and capable in all, whose ear was ever attuned to the voice of the people, and whose deepest solicitude was their welfare, he was an ideal leader in whom the people trusted, and in whom faith was not abused. The career of William McKinley was exemplary. His personal virtue, his purity of character, his honesty of motive, his patriotic purpose, his loyalty to right, his love of justice, his spirit of mercy, endeared him to the people, so that when he was struck down by the assassin they felt the blow as if it had been struck at themselves. The record of such a life and such a career deserves a permanent form as is given by this vol president's life, the publishers have sought the aid of some of the men who knew him best, and who have generously added valuable information to the great storehouse possessed by the author. A portion of this volume was written by Mr. Halstead, at the time Mr. McKinley was first nominated for the presidency, and being here presented as then written it shows the wonderful accuracy of the author's prophecy at that time and how the estimate he then placed on Mr. McKinley's popularity and ability has been verified by later events and the action of the people. No writer is as well qualified to write of Mr. McKinley's life and work as is Mr. Halstead. Not only was he personally and intimately acquainted with Mr. McKinley during the latter's public career, but for half a century he has been engaged in making through the press a public record of current events. During half of that time Mr. McKinley was in active public life and his advancement and leadership were observed by the author with the keenest interest. It is hoped the book will aid in commemorating the noble life of the martyr president. THE PUBLISHERS. १ Ο AUTHOR'S PREFACE. N the day before Major McKinley was nom inated for the Presidency, an artist distin guished for the fetching touch of his pencil in catching and fixing likenesses in a few lines, stood in the door of a room where the Major was seated, and never having before seen the famous face, was regarding it with personal and professional intensity, when an acquaintance approached him and said, "Have you been introduced to the Governor ?" "No," said the artist; "not yet, presently gladly. Let me study him a moment unbeknown, just as he is. Why there is no picture that does him justice. I am right glad to see him when he has no idea of a possible sketch, and no thought of himself. I did not think so, but he is a great man. He is splendid, and there is no one like him in the country. Why did any one ever say he was not a strong man ?" The artist perceived at a glance what all who study Major McKinley find out-that he is a strong man and a great one. He is a fortunate combination of excellent, admirable, and lovable traits and qualities. Alike in his boyish patriotism, adventure and bravery in war, and the experiences of his mature years in the National Congress, and the straightforward dis charge of executive duty as Governor of a great State, there has been the heroic simplicity, unselfish and constant, that has attracted the attention and popular favor of ever-widening circles of his fellow-citizens, until his glory has become a precious possession of the American people, and inspired with it they did not wait for the stated organizations to move, before they proclaimed in many unmistakable ways that he was their candidate for the Presidency, and the National Convention of the Republican party, as a representative assembly, ratified the public will. The life of McKinley shows the stronger and more graceful lines with greater strength and grace the better it is known. The office of his biographer is one of grateful satisfaction. His record is clear. There is no line for love to lament or for charity to cover-no chapter for the advocate to blot or the diplomat to obscure. This is one of the rarest of lives, shining in every part with the inner light of the truth that is honor's self; and the radiance of unclouded day reveals only stainless symmetry, and the harmony of open motives with consummate achievement. He could not advance to the elevation he occupies without encountering enmity and combatting imputation; but no charge was ever contrived that he had other fault than that of friendliness perhaps too forgiving, or of confidence too generous. He is a man who will go on growing in the affection of the gentle and the estimation of the |