Copyright 1900 by C.Parker

Willion The Miley

TWENTY-FOURTH PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES

THE

LAST SPEECH

of WILLIAM MCKINLEY PRESIDENT of the UNITED STATES

DELIVERED AT THE PAN-AMERICAN EXPOSITION BUFFALO NEW YORK on the FIFTH of SEPTEMBER 1901

WITH A

HENRY

PREFATORY NOTE BY B. F. MACFARLAND President of the Commissioners of the District of Columbia

Printed by THE KIRGATE PRESS of LEWIS BUDDY 3RD at "HILLSIDE" in CANTON PENNSYLVANIA MCM&I

his purposes for the rest of his administration.

The diplomats and all other experienced men present knew that his words, then being carried by the wires around the globe, would excite great interest in every civilized country.

In conversation later in the day President McKinley showed that he regarded the speech as an unusual one and that he anticipated the world-wide comment on it. He said that he thought the time had come for him to speak out frankly as he had done, and that he was glad to be able to do so. He felt that, having passed beyond the temptations of political ambition, he was free from suspicions as to bis motives, and would be credited with speaking disinterestedly, and with respect for other countries as well as for our own. He was very much gratified by the kind words of the foreign representatives and others who had heard the address, in expression of their own feelings, and in anticipation of what would be said by the newspapers and by public men in this country and abroad.

Neither he nor they had the slightest idea that be would never speak in public again. They expected to see that address followed up by others, and by messages to Congress, developing the ideas which it contained. But the next day came the stroke that brought silence upon President McKinley, and at the same time gave his last public utterances new interest and new power which they could never have had otherwise.

October 1901.

Henry B. F. Macfarland.