The President

     “Ladies and gentlemen—the President.”
     With those words, and those words only, John G. Milburn introduced William McKinley to those assembled at the Pan-American Exposition at Buffalo yesterday. The delicious brevity of Mr. Milburn’s remarks is worthy of the highest praise. It is safe to say that there was not a man or woman in all the vast throng but had gathered there for the express purpose of seeing and hearing the distinguished visitor. They all know him by sight,—or the lithographs and photographs would be at fault. Assuming that they knew him, what more was necessary? The hypercritical might find fault with the exodium of Mr. Milburn’s speech, “Ladies and gentlemen,” but it accords with common usage. Passing over this, we can all dwell upon the other part of his speech with infinite satisfaction “The President” [sic].
     We doubt if there be a man in Utica who could have introduced Mr. McKinley so gracefully and well. Let us go further and declare our belief that we question if there be in all this broad land another man who could have “blue-penciled” his eloquence as effectively and well as John G. Milburn. “Ladies and Gentlemen: I now have the great honor of presenting to you a gentleman who needs no introduction: the Honorable William McKinley, the President of the United States.” That was the speech that required cutting down. The first clause is unadulterated egotism. Let it go. The second is redundant and unnecessary,—all except the words “The President.” Of what did you suppose Mr. McKinley was President if not of the United States? And who is President of the United States if not William McKinley? It’s all as plain as a pikestaff. But, nevertheless, we admire Mr. Milburn—the man who made an eloquent speech of two words, preceded by three words of introduction, which universal use sanctions. Here’s to John G. Milburn of the Pan-American!