按键盘上方向键 ← 或 → 可快速上下翻页，按键盘上的 Enter 键可回到本书目录页，按键盘上方向键 ↑ 可回到本页顶部！
————未阅读完？加入书签已便下次继续阅读！
is any hope； an orator on such an occasion has inspiration。 But if he knows he is beaten he cannot put into his effort the fire necessary to impress an audience。 It is not possible to speak with force and effect unless you have faith in your cause。
After Mr。 McKinley was nominated I moved that the nomination be made unanimous。 The convention called for speech and platform so insistently that their call had to be obeyed。 The following is an account from a newspaper of that date of my impromptu speech。 The story which is mentioned in the speech was told to me as I was ascending the platform by Senator Proctor of Vermont。
〃I am in the happy position now of making a speech for the man who is going to be elected。 （Laughter and applause。） It is a great thing for an amateur； when his first nomination has failed； to come in and second the man who has succeeded。 New York is here with no bitter feeling and with no disappointment。 We recognize that the waves have submerged us； but we have bobbed up serenely。 （Loud laughter。） It was a cannon from New York that sounded first the news of McKinley's nomination。 They said of Governor Morton's father that he was a New England clergyman； who brought up a family of ten children on three hundred dollars a year； and was； notwithstanding； gifted in prayer。 （Laughter。） It does not make any difference how poor he may be； how out of work； how ragged； how next door to a tramp anybody may be in the United States to…night； he will be 'gifted in prayer' at the result of this convention。 （Cheers and laughter。）
〃There is a principle dear to the American heart。 It is the principle which moves American spindles； starts the industries； and makes the wage…earners sought for instead of seeking employment。 That principle is embodied in McKinley。 His personality explains the nomination to…day。 And his personality will carry into the presidential chair the aspirations of the voters of America； of the families of America； of the homes of America； protection to American industry and America for Americans。〃 （Cheers。）
As every national convention； like every individual； has its characteristics； the peculiar distinction of the Republican convention of 1896 was its adoption of the gold standard of value。 An amazing and illuminating part of our political literature of that time is the claim which various statesmen and publicists make to the authorship of the gold plank in the platform。
Senator Foraker； who was chairman of the committee on resolutions； devotes a considerable part of his interesting autobiography to the discussion of this question。 He is very severe upon all those who claim to have originated the idea。 I have been asked by several statesmen to enforce their claims to its authorship。
The silver craze had not yet subsided。 Bimetallism had strong advocates and believers in our convention。 I think even our candidate was not fully convinced at that time of the wisdom of the declaration。 It went into the platform rather as a venture than an article of faith； but to the surprise of both the journalists and campaign orators； it turned out that the people had become converted to the gold standard； and it proved to be the strongest and most popular declaration of the convention。
When the campaign opened the genius of Mark Hanna soon became evident。 He organized a campaign of education such as had never been dreamed of； much less attempted。 Travelling publicity agents； with wagonloads of pamphlets； filled the highways and the byways； and no home was so isolated that it did not receive its share。 Columns in the newspapers； especially the country papers； were filled with articles written by experts； and the platform was never so rich with public speakers。
Such a campaign is irresistible。 Its influence is felt by everybody； its arguments become automatically and almost insensibly the common language of the people。 But the expense is so terrific that it will never again be attempted。 There was no corruption or purchase of votes in Mr。 Hanna's management。 It was publicity and again publicity； but it cost nearly five millions of dollars。 To reach the one hundred and ten million of people in the United States in such a way would involve a sum so vast that public opinion would never permit any approach to it。
Mr。 McKinley's front…porch campaign was a picturesque and captivating feature。 The candidate was a handsome man and an eloquent speaker； with a cordial and sympathetic manner which won everybody。 Delegations from all parts of the country and representing every phase of American life appeared at Mr。 McKinley's residence。 His address to them was always appropriate and his reception made the visitors his fast friends。
I received a personal request to visit him； and on the occasion he said to me： 〃In certain large agricultural sections there is a very dangerous revolt in our party； owing to the bad conditions among the farmers。 Wheat and corn are selling below the cost of production。 I wish you would go down among them and make speeches explaining the economic conditions which have produced this result； and how we propose to and will remedy it。〃
〃Mr。 McKinley；〃 I said； 〃my position as a railroad president； I am afraid； would antagonize them。〃
〃On the contrary； your very position will draw the largest audiences and receive the greater attention。〃
The result proved that he was correct。
I recall one meeting in particular。 There were thousands present； all farmers。 In the midst of my speech one man arose and said： 〃Chauncey Depew； we appreciate your coming here； and we are very anxious to hear you。 Your speech is very charming and interesting； but I want to put this to you personally。 We here are suffering from market conditions for the products of our farms。 The prices are so low that we have difficulty in meeting the interest on our mortgages and paying our taxes； no matter how seriously we economize。 Now you are the president of one of the greatest railroads in the country。 It is reported that you are receiving a salary of fifty thousand dollars a year。 You are here in a private car。 Don't you think that the contrast between you and us makes it difficult for us poor farmers to give you the welcome which we would like？〃
I saw at once I had lost my audience。 I then ventured upon a statement of conditions which I have often tried and always successfully。 I said： 〃My friend； what you say about me is true。 Now； as to my career； I was born and brought up in a village similar to the one which is near you here。 My father gave me my education and nothing else with which to begin life。 As a young lawyer I was looking for clients and not for office。 I made up my mind that there were no opportunities offered in the village； but that the chances of success were in the service of corporations。 The result is that I have accomplished what you have described。 Now； my friend； I believe that you have a promising boy。 I also believe that to your pride and satisfaction he is going through the neighboring college here； and that you intend on account of his brightness and ability to make him a lawyer。 When he is admitted to the bar； do you expect him to try