Utterance to the People at Buffalo

William McKinley

(For portrait and early biographical sketch see Vol. X, pp. 125, 126,
127)

At the National Republican Convention which met at Philadelphia in June,
1901, William McKinley was again nominated the Republican candidate for
the Presidency of the United States. At the November election he was
re-elected, receiving 292 electoral votes, against 155 votes for William
J. Bryan.

In September, 1901, he accepted an invitation to be present at the
Pan-American Exposition at Buffalo. On September 5 he delivered his
last public utterance to the people, in the Temple of Music, to a vast
audience. The next day, returning from a short trip to Niagara Falls, he
yielded to the wishes of the people and held a reception in the Temple.
Among those who, passing in single file, took him by the hand, was one
who approached with his hand wrapped and held to his breast as though
injured. Concealed within the covering was a loaded revolver; and as he
gave his other hand to the President, a token of friendship, he quickly
fired two shots, from the effects of which the President sank into the
arms of those near him. He was taken to the residence of Mr. John G.
Milburn, President of the Exposition Company, where on September 14,
1901, after an unexpected relapse, he died. The body was taken to
Washington, D.C., and the state funeral was held in the rotunda of the
Capitol. Thence the body was taken to his home in Canton, Ohio, for
interment.

The period covered by the administration of William McKinley was,
undoubtedly, more crowded with events calculated to try and to touch the
very heart of the nation than was any period since the Civil War. The
United States has passed through crisis after crisis in quick succession
and has emerged not only in safety but with untarnished honor, increased
glory, and the great consciousness of solidarity and unification. This
is attested by the wise management of affairs in connection with the
Nicaragua Canal; the increase of the navy, the formation of an army and
the imposition of taxes which in no way impeded the march of industry;
the settlement of railway claims; and the successful starting in life of
Cuba and the administration of far colonial affairs. Aside from the wise
counsels of the Executive of the nation, the calmness and cool action of
the people, amid distracting and perplexing events, have contributed to
the honor of the nation in no