53 Presidential Addresses 



and who are as hostile to the upright exponent of 

 a free people's sober will as to the tyrannical and 

 irresponsible despot. 



It is not too much to say that at the time of Presi- 

 dent McKinley's death he was the most widely loved 

 man in all the United States; while we have never 

 had any public man of his position who has been 

 so wholly free from the bitter animosities incident 

 to public life. His political opponents were the first 

 to bear the heartiest and most generous tribute to 

 the broad kindliness of nature, the sweetness and 

 gentleness of character which so endeared him to 

 his close associates. To a standard of lofty in- 

 tegrity in public life he united the tender affections 

 and home virtues which are all-important in the 

 make-up of national character. A gallant soldier 

 in the great war for the Union, he also shone 

 as an example to all our people because of his 

 conduct in the most sacred and intimate of 

 home relations. There could be no personal 

 hatred of him^ for he never acted with aught 

 but consideration for the welfare of others. No one 

 could fail to respect him who knew him in public or 

 private life. The defenders of those murderous 

 criminals who seek to excuse their criminality by 

 asserting that it is exercised for political ends, in- 

 veigh against wealth and irresponsible power. But 

 for this assassination even this base apology can 

 not be urged. 



President McKinley was a man of moderate 

 means, a man whose stock sprang from the sturdy 



