much of Lincoln in McKinley's character. In his address on the Great Emancipator McKinley gave an excellent reflection of his own ideals, for he was a sincere disciple of the man whom he considered one of the greatest in all history. Among other things he said: "Lincoln had that happy, peculiar habit, which few public men have attained, of looking away from the deceptive and misleading influences about him

and none are more deceptive than those of public life in our capitals-straight into the hearts of the people. He could not be deceived by the self-interested host of eager counselors who sought to enforce their own peculiar views upon him as the views of the country. He chose to determine for himself what the people were thinking about and wanting to do, and no man ever lived who was a more accurate judge of their opinions and wishes."

The beginnings of McKinley's trust in the people and of their faith in him may be traced back to his earliest public career. He lived among the miners and mill-workers in Ohio in his boyhood. He took their part as a lawyer. He championed their cause from his first entrance into Congress. With never a suspicion of that hypocrisy which characterizes the average politician's "love for the workingman," he earnestly labored to secure better pay for the laborers and better conditions of living. Their rep

resentatives were received at the White House with every courtesy and left with faith in his sincerity and confidence in his judgment. The friendliness with which the laboring classes of his own home regarded him may be illustrated by an incident which occurred in Canton in the summer of 1900. The President sat by an open window of his house, talking over the long-distance telephone with Washington about some important question connected with China. A workingman came across the lawn with a pail, for some water, and turning a faucet directly under the President's window made so much noise that the telephone conversation was interrupted. The President looked out and said, "Mike, won't you please stop that noise till I get through?" Mike lighted his pipe, and sat down under the window, where he listened intently to what the President was saying. At last the conversation was over and McKinley told Mike he might go ahead. "Major," said the Irishman (everybody called him "Major" in Canton) - "Major, what are yez goin' to do with thim haythen?"

In his congressional career, McKinley developed unusual capacity for making friends, showing neverfailing courtesy to his opponents as well as to those upon whom he depended for support. He was gentle in manner, but forceful in execution; polite but ag

gressive; considerate of others, but firm in determination to do what he believed to be right. His patience, when interrupted by petulant or insinuating remarks or queries, was often noticed. He never lost his temper, never replied with sharp or angry repartee, but calmly, truthfully, and conscientiously met the attack. So much of a gentleman was he that he won courteous treatment even from his strongest opponents. His serenity of mind was a source of power, his kindliness a magnet that drew men to him, and his sincerity a rock of safety that inspired both faith and trust. Behind these qualities was a determined ambition to use the full force of his ability for the benefit of his native land.

He had confidence in the boundless possibilities of his country. His patriotism was like that of Hamilton and Washington and Madison, who devoted their lives to the work of placing the new nation upon a firm foundation. The fathers had made a beginning, but builders were still needed. McKinley accepted the task, and having put his hands to the plough, there was no thought of turning back. Patiently he worked, with absolute trust in the wisdom of his efforts. When he left the halls of Congress and walked out into the blackness of the night of defeat, it was with no dejected mien. He knew that in time the people would understand. He knew that the dawn

would soon appear. With the same serenity that had marked his course through Congress, masking his determination behind that same composure, which was so often mistaken for weakness, he went forth to meet the future without fear, strong in the courage which a righteous purpose begets, and firm in the faith that sooner or later the people would approve his course. When at last the sun of returning confidence arose and spread over the land the brightness of a widely diffused prosperity, it found William McKinley enshrined in the hearts of the people, with a degree of affection which few statesmen have achieved.

It was not alone because McKinley brought prosperity that the people loved him. In his extensive travels throughout the country he came face to face with millions. He talked familiarly to his fellow citizens, explaining the motives which actuated him, taking them into his confidence as he elucidated in clear language the problems he had to meet and the principles underlying them. He made the people a part of the Government. He asked their coöperation. He liked to meet them in the hotels and clubs and in their homes. It rested him, after a day of public speaking, to sit in the midst of a group of friends and listen to their conversation. When he held a public reception, he clasped hands with thousands, giving