CHAPTER V.

McKinley's career in few words-The charm of his personal char acter-His habits of labor-Devotion to friends and family.

H

IS life has been of great activity and success, wrought by himself, advanced by no influence, but earned by labor and study, by patriotism and statesmanship. It is a record creditable throughout, and in it there is no stain, no action that needs to be excused, nothing that must be defended, nothing that can be assaulted -a manly, courageous, laborious, serious, earnest, thorough, conscientious life, devoted to the service of his country, and beautified by a devotion to his wife that is as admirable as it is exceptional. Though Major McKinley fought and struggled for every preferment he secured, there is nothing unusual in the advance of a young man in America from humble surroundings to leadership-to the Presidency. But McKinley's career has been so singularly patriotic, so constantly opposed, because of the great principle of protection that he advocated, so serious, so clean, so brilliant, and so safe that it is most noteworthy. The distinction just conferred on him was earned.

Major McKinley's life has not been without its defeats, its bitterness through misrepresentation, its sorrow because of loss of children and his wife's invalidism, but a full conviction in the propriety,

righteousness, and importance of the cause which he has largely represented, as well as a courageous belief that the American people would ultimately approve his policy and appreciate his labors, for its maintenance has guided and encouraged him, and now he is about to reap the fruits of his life's labor by election to the Presidency. The first return for his self-sacrifice, for his devotion to country, for his patriotism, for his integrity, and for his abilities comes through the nomination just given him. It was a nomination made by the people three years ago when it became evident to all that the election of Grover Cleveland was a serious error, that the cry of tariff reform was a fraud, that the party which desired to destroy protection was a menace. The people, the workmen, the farmers, the merchants, the capitalists-all joined together in a demand that he be nominated. Their earnestness overcame the claims of others, some of them of distinguished merit. It disregarded the services of several men of statesmanship stature and it was obtained in opposition to the wishes and despite the interference of some professional politicians. The people were not satisfied until McKinley was nominated. For sev

eral months before the convention it was apparent that McKinley would be the candidate, though he had competitors of the highest distinction. Those who in his Ohio campaign saw how the people revered him, how they longed for a return to his policy of protection, believed from the time

of these contests that his nomination was inevitable.

He is deserving of the distinction given him, and it is undoubted that he has earned the advancement, indisputable that he is able, steadfast, firm, manly, trustworthy, safe, and able. The people insisted upon his nomination and it was made. It is then, without question, a popular choice, the selection by the people of one of the people to be the people's President. But two other Republican Presidential candidates were practically chosen before the convention assembled. These were heroes, and each of them men of and from the people. One was Abraham Lincoln, who was without real opposition, chosen for a second term by a grateful party representing a brave and patriotic people, that honored and revered the man who helped the country through the dark and sad and troublous days of the war with patience, manliness, and success. The other was Ulysses S. Grant, who was twice nominated with practical unanimity. Grant was a military hero, chosen because of his services in the field, and not at first by reason of any notable ability as a statesman. Each was a hero, each a patriot, and each in a different way. William McKinley is both soldier and statesman. As a boy, before he had left his teens, he was an officer, fighting in the field, enduring privations, and risking his life for the nation. As a man, he developed in intellectual force, strengthened by experience and study, inspired with belief in the truth and necessity of the

policy he advocated, and spurred on by antagonism. McKinley is a patriot. Lincoln freed the slaves. McKinley will relieve the country from free trade, from poverty, and from depression.

man.

MCKINLEY'S PERSONALITY.

The world knows William McKinley as a public His individuality is not understood, though here and there glimpses have been had of his personality, which have added to the respect in which he is held. It is not surprising that Major McKinley is not so well known as a private citizen, as a neighbor, and friend. The public has been more concerned. with what he has accomplished, with what he represents, and with what he has opposed. The other side has not been brought out, except incidentally.

There is a warmth of feeling, a generosity of spirit, a sincerity, a purity of thought, a domesticity, an affectionate disposition, a depth of character, a vein of humor, a reserve, a patience under difficulties, a devotion to friends, a personal attractiveness and a breadth of character that make him admirable and lovable, that delights and benefits, that charms and wins, that inspires, and never wearies, that pleases and gratifies, and that makes one glad to see him, sorry to leave him, charmed to know him, and proud to be his friend. There is a magnetism that is attractive, a sunniness of disposition that is unexpected at first, an evenness of temper that is unusual,

a resignation that is composed, a reserve that is not often broken, but when it is there is a reward in the manliness, charitableness, friendliness, affection, trustfulness and confidence of the man.

Though imbued and filled with the importance of the principles of the party of which he has so long been a leader, Major McKinley is not self-centered, neither is he selfish, for he often sacrifices for others, always ready often to inconvenience himself for the pleasure or benefit of his friends. A man who has had as much admiration, as much flattery, as much success must necessarily understand that he has ability, must be confident of his powers, but in William McKinley that is not accompanied by conceit, for he is diffident, modest almost to bashfulness, but experience has made it possible for him to control his tendency to seek obscurity, to enjoy quiet instead of strife.

Major McKinley did not become a Presidential candidate because he sought honors, neither did he run for Governor of Ohio because he desired the office. He did not try to continue in Congress because he was anxious to remain in public life. There are those who may be unbelievers in this; but he did so because he felt he had a duty to perform, a mission to accomplish. Were he to follow the inclinations of his wife and of himself he would not be a public man now. He would not be about to go through an exacting campaign. On the contrary, years ago he would have settled down to the life of a lawyer,