Copyright 1900 by C. Parker Cillion The Miley TWENTY-FOURTH PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES Born, January 29, 1843 Assassinated, September 6, 1901 THE LAST SPEECH of WILLIAM MCKINLEY DELIVERED AT THE PAN-AMERICAN EXPOSITION WITH A PREFATORY NOTE BY HENRY B. F. MACFARLAND Printed by THE KIRGATE PRESS of LEWIS BUDDY 3RD 456574.60,7 FROM THE BEQUEST OF EVERT JANSEN WENDELL 1918 Prefatory Note, Copyrighted 1901, by LEWIS BUDDY, 3RD P PREFATORY NOTE. RESIDENT McKINLEY'S last speech was his best. He had grown steadily as a public speaker, just as he had grown steadily in every other way, until he had become one of the great orators of his time. Men and women listened to him with interest and pleasure, not simply because he was the President, but because he was an eloquent, convincing and impressive speaker. The expansion of his character and intellect which took place after he came to the Presidency, and especially after the beginning of the Spanish War, was seen in the increased charm and power of his public addresses. His attractive presence, bis fine, resonant yet sympathetic voice, and his graceful manner, increased the effectiveness of what he said. It was not expected generally that his address at Buffalo would be especially interesting or important. Yet many thousands waited in the beat of the sun in front of the temporary stand on the plaza of the Exposition Grounds, to hear him deliver it. They were rewarded with a remarkable address. As the President read it, with the aid of glasses from a small typewritten manuscript, his bearers gradually realized that he was giving forth declarations of policy of great moment. The public men who sat on the stand behind him, and especially the representatives of foreign governments, first appreciated the importance of what the President was saying, but later it was recognized by everyone in the great audience. It was felt that the President was speaking with marked frankness, and that he was laying before the whole world |