possible, but, having no veto power, was seriously handicapped. However, his personal influence tended to reduce the danger of unfortunate legislation.

The National Guard of the State reached its highest efficiency under his two terms. They were in good fighting trim and were several times called out. There was a strike in the coal-mining regions of the State. As soon as it became apparent that troops were needed to preserve order, Governor McKinley ordered them out. There was no hesitancy, no fear of its effect on his political future. The Governor saw his duty and did it. As a result there was no bloodshed. The troops behaved admirably. Again, when there had been a horrible crime in Washington Court House, and the people of the town were about to lynch the criminal, Governor McKinley sent his troops there. They were under the command of a Democratic officer, Colonel Coit, of the Fourteenth Regiment. In the performance of his duty he ordered them to fire. Some were killed. The Governor sustained him, and did what he could to see that Coit got a fair trial when he was arrested on the charge of murder. And again the Ohio troops prevented trouble during the A. R. U.-Debs revolution. Ohio has never had a Governor who preserved better order, who had more courage in handling the difficult questions that came before him than did Governor McKinley. He retired from the governorship because he wanted to do so. They do

not believe in third terms in Ohio, and McKinley, able and admirable Governor that he was, would not go counter to traditions, though he could have had the nomination and would have been elected.

CHAPTER V.

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

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 several 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