An Orator and His Speeches [excerpt]

     President McKinley’s last speech was his greatest. As he stood there, on the platform at the Pan-American Exposition, in the city of Buffalo, it was a supreme hour of a life which was in every way triumphant.
     The closing words of that last public speech on earth outlined his national policy for the great nation which he was so soon to leave. The words of sentiment and patriotic aspiration were in accord with the nation’s history, and it duly marked the culmination of his development and power in statesmanship.
     “Let us ever remember that our interest is in concord, not conflict; and that our real em- [107][108] inence rests in the victories of peace, not those of war. We hope that all who are represented here may be moved to higher and nobler efforts for their own and the world’s good, and that out of this city may come not only greater commerce and trade for us all, but more essential than these, relations of mutual respect, confidence and friendship which will deepen and endure.
     “Our earnest prayer is that God will graciously vouchsafe prosperity, happiness and peace to all our neighbors, and like blessings to all the people and powers of earth.”
     Such was McKinley the orator. His public addresses not only showed an insight into governmental affairs which equalled few statesmen of his age, but they were sparkling word-gems, revealing alike his rhetorical brilliancy and his love for all humanity.