And State Papers 233 



It was given to President McKinley to take the 

 foremost place in our political life at a time when 

 our country was brought face to face with problems 

 more momentous than any whose solution we have 

 ever attempted, save only in the Revolution and in 

 the Civil War; and it was under his leadership that 

 the Nation solved these mighty problems aright. 

 Therefore he shall stand in the eyes of history not 

 merely as the first man of his generation, but as 

 among the greatest figures in our national life, 

 coming second only to the men of the two great 

 crises in which the Union was founded and pre 

 served. 



No man could carry through successfully such 

 a task as President McKinley undertook, unless 

 trained by long years of effort for its performance. 

 Knowledge of his fellow-citizens, ability to under 

 stand them, keen sympathy with even their inner 

 most feelings, and yet power to lead them, together 

 with far-sighted sagacity and resolute belief both in 

 the people and in their future all these were needed 

 in the man who headed the march of our people 

 during the eventful years from 1896 to 1901. These 

 were the qualities possessed by McKinley and devel 

 oped by him throughout his whole history previous 

 to assuming the Presidency. As a lad he had the 

 inestimable privilege of serving, first in the ranks, 

 and then as a commissioned officer, in the great war 

 for national union, righteousness, and grandeur; 

 he was one of those whom a kindly Providence per 

 mitted to take part in a struggle which ennobled 



