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Printed by order of the
FOURTEENTH ANNUAL CONGRESS
Held at New Haven, Conk.
April 80th and May let
1903

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Printed by order of the
FOURTEENTH ANNUAL CONGRESS
Held at New Haven, Conn.
April 80th and May 1st
1903

WILLIAM McKINLEY

COMPATRIOT WILLIAM McKINLEY, the twenty-fifth Presi
dent of the United States, was born in Ohio, in 1843. He came
of patriotic ancestry, by lineal descent, from his great-grandfather, David
McKinley, a soldier of the Eevolution, who enlisted into the ranks from
Pennsylvania. It was by virtue of this descent that he claimed eligi
bility to membership in the Sons of the American Revolution, and was
elected a member of the Ohio Society early in the history of that
organization. His early life gave full promise of his future career ; he was fore
most in all his classes at school and college, and prominent as a debater
and orator. His uniform courtesy and his manly conduct endeared him
to his classmates and secured the confidence and respect of teacher and
professor. At eighteen he enlisted as a private into the Union Army, almost as
soon as the Civil War was declared and continued in the service until
ibe close of the contest. His merits were soon recognized and he rapidly
rose from rank to rank, and was honorably discharged in June, 1865, as
Brevet-Major. He then began the study of the law and in due time was
licensed as an attorney and counsellor. His aptitude in seizing the salient
points involved in the cases committed to his care, and his ability as
a counsellor and advocate very early placed him in the front rank of

the bar of his native state ; but his tastes and natural inclination for a
higher sphere of action were so marked, so pronounced, that his fellow
citizens soon called him to represent them in the National Legislature.
He was elected again and again to the House of Representatives from
the same congressional district. In that body of distinguished men, his
great ability as a speaker and his accomplishments as a statesman soon
made him recognized as one born to direct and lead affairs, and very
early in his congressional career, by universal consent, he was acknowl
edged as one of the great men of his time. He was an independent
thinker, but the distinctive principles of the party to which he gave his
allegiance commended themselves to his judgment and he did not hesi
tate, upon all proper occasions, to avow, in no uncertain manner, his
opinions. He did not speak often and only when the importance of the
debate demanded. His utterances were marked by profound thought,
convincing argument and an ample knowledge of all subjects which he
discussed. Always firm and decided, yet he never offended ; his innate
courtesy never failed him ; in the warmth of the hottest debate he
never lost his dignity, nor presence of mind, nor forgot the strict observ
ance of those conventionalities and amenities which ought govern man
kind in their intercourse with others. No opponent was ever wounded
by his sarcasm, nor aggrieved by his breach of decorum. He so secured
the entire confidence of his political foes, that in more instances than
one, he obtained the support of the most radical of those who were
known as ardent supporters of a line of public policy, diametrically
opposed to that which he maintained. He never resorted to those low
acts to obtain hearing to whicli public speakers too often descend. His
methods of argument were of the highest order, his reasoning close,
clean cut and directly to the point. Always calm and unperturbed in
the warmest debate, when passions were aroused he never lost his native
dignity, but retired from the discussion with an unruffled serenity, which
disarmed opponents and aided in dispelling the gathering storm.

Twice within his history a nomination for the Presidency was
within his grasp, but his high sense of honor and his loyalty to those
who had intrusted him with their interests would not permit him to
swerve from the strict line of duty which ever controlled him.
In 1896, after serving several terms in the popular branch of the
National Legislature and twice as Governor of Ohio, at a crisis in the
history of the Republic, when a strong hand, a firm will and a compre
hensive intellect were needed to administer the affairs of the country,
he was elected President, by the suffrages of the people.
This office brought with it new duties and new responsibilities,
which were met with a determination to fill up the full measure of the
requirements of his exalted position, and with a masterful grasp of all
the needs of the Republic. He became President of the whole country,
and not of a political party. The people, all the people, soon learned
that a controlling spirit was at the head of the Government, who took
in the whole situation, was keenly alive to those considerations which
should direct his action for the advantage of the whole body of citizens
and was ever alert in defence of the honor and integrity of the nation.
Questions of the utmost importance at once confronted the new
President, demanding immediate action, all of vital interest ; questions
of finance, of the tariff, of the annexation of a foreign country ;
questions whicli affected the honor of the flag, and of the Republic.
Mr. McKinley was equal to the demands made upon him in the settle
ment of all these problems. The most momentous of these problems
"Was connected with the strained relations between Spain and the United
States, growing out of the agitations in Cuba. War was imminent, but
the President struggled heroically to avert it and used all the arts of
honorable diplomacy to secure an adjustment ; but the people, through
Congress, demanded that war should be declared. The President instantly
put the whole force of the administration at work to obey the popular

will. The demand of the people must be obeyed, the honor of the
Republic must be preserved, the flag should not be dishonored. Other
men, with less belief in true popular government, disobeying the decree
of the people, would have interjected their own ideas and personality
into the contest, delaying the war to the advantage of the Spanish
Government ; but this man of men kept his finger on the pulse of the
people and himself informed of public opinion, and when the nation
demanded, he was ready to follow its dictation.
This obedience to the will of the people was a ruling principle of
his public life and was manifested by him upon all occasions.
The nations of the earth have learned to respect the honesty and
integrity ever manifested by American diplomatists. A new order of
thought and action has been interjected into the modes of diplomacy by
the manner in which, the representatives of the great Republic have met
the arts of foreign courts. No man has done more to impress the minds
of other nations, with whom this country holds relations, than did
President McKinley during his administration. His effective methods
in securing great ends lost nothing by the honesty and straightforward
dealing which he and his cabinet and ambassadors always exhibited.
American statesmanship never commanded more respect abroad than
during his continuance in office as President. In the dealing with Spain,
with the Philippines, with China and other nations in great international
crises, he triumphed in a manner that attracted universal attention and
commanded profound respect.
The traits of character which distinguished Mr. McKinley were of
the very best element, which can ennoble mankind. He was a stronp
man, strong in true manliness, strong in his virtues, strong in all those
characteristics which adorn human nature. He was an ideal American
citizen. In the administration of public affairs, he was ever firm and consistent
ever actuated by the strictest sense of duty and a severe adherence to

the right. When different lines of policy were presented for decision,
the question with him was, which will be most conducive to the common
good ? Which is honest % Not, is it politic ? Is it expedient % Or will
it be advantageous to party %
This high sense of duty, this strict adherence to the right, actuated
him in all the relations of his life, both public and private, as a citizen
and as President.
His unerring judgment, his intuitive sense of justice and of the right,
so powerfully guided him, that he rarely made mistakes. If he did com
mit an error, he was swift to correct; no selfish consideration interfered.
A broad-minded, large-hearted love of humanity characterized his
intercourse with all ; this was particularly the course which he manifested
in his career as President. When his duty as the Chief Magistrate of
the Republic did not forbid, he gave full scope to his native kindness of
heart. The people of the whole South, notwithstanding the difference in
opinion, learned to^ love him, as no other President, since Washington,
was ever regarded. President McKinley, in the distribution of his
patronage, never lost sight of what was due to their citizens. When the
Spanish war broke out, Union and Confederate officers, who had been
prominent in the great struggle between the States, were appointed
without regard to party politics, and the South had its full proportion of
these appointments. By this appreciation of the patriotism of the
South, he succeeded in cementing the Union by indissoluble bonds.
The South believed in him and were never deceived, they trusted him
and were never disappointed.
No elevation to office, not even to that of President, ever changed
his simple, free-hearted manner to his fellow citizens. He was approach
able by all; no arrogance marked his conduct, no false dignity drove any
from his presence.

President McKinley's excellencies of character shone bright in the
family circle, where the tenderest sympathies of human nature can be
best displayed. His honoring deference to his mother, his profound
reverence shown for her, his tender solicitude for his wife, his ever
fostering care always enveloping her, his never failing affection for her,
ennobled his character and glorified his virtues. The crowning act in
the useful and noble life of the martyred President, was his submission
to the will of God, his humble, childlike, simple faith, which enabled
him to meet the great enemy and calmly pass into the unknown land
from whence none return.
The whole nation mourns its heroic dead ; North and South, East
and West, have joined in one universal expression of sorrow. Crowned
heads of other countries have united in proclaiming their grief at our
loss. The lightning has flashed across the ocean a chorus of sympathy
and consolation. His memory will ever linger fresh and green with all
the citizens of the land. Monumental shafts will be reared to com
memorate his glorious life, but a more enduring monument will ever
remain in the affection of the people.
He is not dead, but will ever live immortal to the end of time,
embellishing American history and ennobling the name of the great
Republic, which he loved so well and over which he ruled so wisely.

YALE UNIVERSITY LIBRARY

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